Informational Newsletter: January-March 2025

We are pleased to share the highlights and key activities carried out at Fundación Cortés during the January–March 2025 period. In this first quarter, we continued the implementation of our flagship program, Educa Cortés: The Art of Wellness and Mental Health, through which we conducted 15 workshops, impacting 370 participants from 11 public schools and homeschooling groups across 16 different towns (Bayamón, Caguas, Canóvanas, Carolina, Corozal, Dorado, Guaynabo, Juncos, Las Piedras, Loíza, Naguabo, Río Grande, San Juan, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, and Trujillo Alto).

This program seeks to address cultural deprivation, academic underachievement—with an emphasis on the reading comprehension crisis—and the mental health crisis. It integrates works of art as didactic tools for managing emotions, fostering creativity, and promoting active learning.

Through tailor-made workshops, we promote teamwork, creative expression, socio-emotional development, and critical thinking—aligned with the five core values of Fundación Cortés: Culture, Identity, Self-Sufficiency, Social Justice, and Dignity.

In addition, we have developed six new curricula inspired by works from the exhibition “Provocations: Unseen Works from Colección Chocolate Cortés”, inaugurated in October 2024 and curated by Professor Mercedes Trelles, PhD. The exhibition features 53 artists from 18 nations, including Argentina, Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. These thematic units have already begun to be implemented in our workshops with excellent results, addressing key topics such as self-sufficiency, leadership, surrealism, African heritage, handling emotions and history.

It is worth noting that on March 20, artist Mayra Johnson, Director of the Centro de la Imagen in the Dominican Republic, joined our program. Her artwork, which is part of the exhibition, was used as focus for the aesthetic reflection during the workshop "Leading Your Emotions." We will continue to strengthen this partnership and are excited to explore future opportunities for collaboration. On March 21, the Executive Vice President of Cortés Hermanos, Ignacio Javier Cortés, participated in one of our workshops, experiencing firsthand the positive impact of the program.

Thanks to the alliance established with Baldwin School of Puerto Rico, we have begun facilitating workshops for the school’s teachers and educators with the goal of sharing and transmitting our educational model—and ultimately reaching the children of the institution. We would like to acknowledge the work of Laura Maristany, Director of Studies, for her initiative and interest in complementing our educational approaches.

Un Banquete de Aquí II: El Colmo de lo Exquisito

On February 8th, we successfully hosted the second edition of our fundraising event, Un Banquete de Aquí II: El Colmo de lo Exquisito. More than 400 guests joined us for an unforgettable evening filled with art, culture, and solidarity at the beautiful Hacienda Don Carmelo in Vega Baja. Through this event, we paid tribute to Tribuna del Arte, Puerto Rico’s first talent-scouting program, founded by Rafael Quiñones Vidal. We were honored by the presence of his grandson and great-grandson, who joined us in this heartfelt recognition of a platform that shaped the history of local talent.

The culinary experience was another highlight of the evening, featuring nine local and international chefs, including Augusto Schneider, José Cuevas, and Ricardo de Obaldía, who delighted attendees with culinary creations inspired by international flavors present in Puerto Rico’s local gastronomy. Additionally, we held an auction featuring artworks by 14 renowned artists and eight exclusive experiences, including trips to the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands, gourmet experiences, and a special activity with artist Antonio Martorell.

This event was not only a celebration, but also a reaffirmation of our commitment to the Educa Cortés: The Art of Wellness and Mental Health program. Thanks to the generosity of our guests and the collaboration of our strategic partners, we were able to raise essential funds to expand the program’s reach—ensuring that more children and youth have free access to transformative artistic and educational experiences.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all participants, donors, and collaborators in Un Banquete de Aquí II with a special mention to:

• Fundación Pobreza Infantil

• Cortés Hermanos

• Universidad Ana G. Méndez

• FirstBank

• Fundación Royal Isabela

• Hacienda Don Carmelo

• Triple-S

• Pueblo

• Oficina de Turismo de British Virgin Island

• El Vocero

• Reinhold

• Don Q

• Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

• Bravada Vodka

• Goya

• B. Fernández & Hermanos

• Ballester Hermanos

• Caribbean Produce Exchange

• Merrill Lynch

• El Nuevo Día

• Condado Palm Tapestry Collection by Hilton

• Titín Foundation

• Teselta Puerto Rico

• Fundación Luis A. Ferré

• Danosa

• Mendoza & Mendoza Law Office

• Puerto Rico Coffee Roaster

• Plavica

• Econo

• Trailer Park Projects

• CC Subastas

• AON

• Venegas Construction

• Bespoke

• Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico

• Quality Business Solutions

Thanks to your support, we continue bringing art, education, and wellness to communities across Puerto Rico. See you at the next edition of Un Banquete de Aquí on Saturday, February 28, 2026!

Below, scroll to see our gallery of photos:

Guided Tours

Since the inauguration of the exhibition “Provocations: Unseen Works from the Colección Chocolate Cortés” in October 2024, we have organized a monthly guided tour led by artists, curators, and cultural professionals. These tours offer an enriching perspective on the exhibition and the Colección Chocolate Cortés, while opening the door to in-depth dialogue about the artworks. Participants are invited to explore art from new perspectives. Since its opening, the exhibition has been visited by over 2,790 people from 13 different countries, including Puerto Rico, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, and France, among others, reflecting its international reach and relevance. From January to March, three guided tours have been conducted:

• January:

  Norma Vila, photographer, multimedia artist, exhibition coordinator, and Puerto Rican cultural manager. Her work Dead End (Sin salida) (photograph, 2017) is part of the Colección Chocolate Cortés. During this tour, participants learned more about her artistic approach and how her work reflects social and cultural realities.

• February:

  Walter Otero, renowned art dealer and promoter of Caribbean contemporary art. Otero shared his curatorial experience and his vision of art in contemporary Caribbean culture, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of art in the region.

• March:

  Juan Bautista Climént, artist and painter whose work spans various media, with a special focus on painting. After studying animation cinema in Mexico City, he moved to Puerto Rico, where he completed his studies at the Escuela de Artes Plásticas y Diseño de Puerto Rico School. His painting El nacido al revés (2021, acrylic on canvas) is part of the Colección Chocolate Cortés. During the tour, Juan Bautista shared his creative process and reflections on identity and culture, key elements in his work.

Experiencias Cortés Program

As a complement to our cultural offerings, the Experiencias Cortés Program has been a resounding success since its launch in October 2024. Through interactive workshops and activities designed for the whole family, we aim to strengthen family bonds and promote healthy coexistence, while fostering an appreciation for the arts and humanities.

January:

Amanax Ri

A collective of historians and anthropologists focused on exploring the indigenous culture of the Caribbean. Through the workshop “Ancestral Legacies in Today’s Puerto Rico”, we delved into the ancestral legacies of Borikén and the Antilles, creating a space for learning and reflection on our roots and their relevance in today’s society. Among the attendees, we had the honor of welcoming Sebastián Robiou Lamarche, Ph.D. in History and expert in Antillean history and culture.

February:

Tere Marichal

Puerto Rican storyteller, puppeteer, and writer Tere Marichal facilitated the experience “Fall in Love with Martina, the Immigrant Who Decided to Stay Here” Through oral storytelling, Tere shared her knowledge of the international versions of this popular tale and its adaptation in different cultures, promoting a love for traditional stories and their transformative power.

March:

Phenomenon Films

A collective of self-managed young filmmakers presented their journey during the event “Get to Know the Shorts of Phenomenon Films!” During the activity, they shared the trailer of their new short film, which will be screened at the 11th edition of Ponte los Cortos Festival, taking place on April 26 at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico.

We invite you and your family to join us at Fundación Cortés on Saturday, April 19, to enjoy all of this talented group’s productions and purchase your tickets for the Festival!

We are proud to witness the impact of our film workshops, with former participants now serving as educational guides at Fundación Cortés and working in various roles at Chocobar Cortés.

Alliances

Fundación Cortés continues to strengthen its network of strategic partnerships to advance its mission of educating and inspiring with our passion for the arts of the Caribbean. In this regard, on January 24, 2025, we had the honor of hosting the launch of the SOMOS series of books and teaching materials for the K-12 Spanish course, in collaboration with Santillana Puerto Rico. This event, which brought over 60 participants, highlighted our commitment to integrating art into academic learning, emphasizing the importance of bringing culture to all levels of education. In addition, this edition included a chapter dedicated to the artist Antonio Martorell, with a special mention of his work Don Miguel Enríquez (corsario del rey), which is part of the Colección Chocolate Cortés and can be viewed in our current exhibition Provocations.

Continuing with our work to promote wellbeing and mental health, on February 22, artist Eduardo Cabrer took on a challenge with a profound purpose: running 100 km to raise awareness about the importance of exercise in emotional wellness. The message was clear: moving is key to balancing body and mind. Eduardo invited the community to join him anywhere along the route or to move wherever they were. In addition, as part of this initiative, he created the artwork Introspeccion 22225, with proceeds benefiting Fundación Cortés, contributing to the Educa Cortés Program: The Art of Wellness and Mental Health.

In March, a significant achievement for Fundación Cortés was the participation of our President, Ignacio Cortés Gelpí, in the annual meeting of the International Advisory Board of the Reina Sofía Museum Foundation in Spain. This recognition highlights the extensive knowledge and contributions of Don Ignacio Cortés to the art world, not only as a collector but also in the international projection of Colección Chocolate Cortés and Fundación Cortés. Don Ignacio's presence as a new member of this renowned group reinforces our commitment to our mission and reaffirms our vision of being internationally recognized as a vital center for the appreciation, study, and exchange of the arts of the Caribbean. Congratulations, Don Ignacio!

Fundación Cortés also hosted the Arts Council of the University of Texas at Austin, led by Puerto Rican Ramón Rivera-Servera, Dean of Fine Arts and also director of the artistic fellowship of the Puerto Rican Arts Initiative (PRAI) funded by the Mellon Foundation. This experience allowed us to generate enriching exchanges around art and culture at an international level.

On March 18, part of Fundación Cortés team attended the presentation of the book "San Mateo de Cangrejos: Cultura, Resistencia y Comunidad", a result of the collaboration between Humanidades Puerto Rico, the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, and Santillana Puerto Rico. This work delves into the history and social struggles of the first formally established Black community in Puerto Rico, creating San Mateo de Cangrejos. This event allowed us to continue reflecting on our Afro-descendancy and the importance of preserving the identity of these communities. On the same day, we also attended the Cuarta Cumbre Afro, a key event for reflecting on the identity, culture, and rights of Afro-descendant communities in Puerto Rico. Participating in these spaces allows us to stay connected with our environment, strengthen strategic alliances, and enrich our work with new perspectives.

El Colmo de lo Exquisito: Tardes/Noches de Arte y Música

This monthly event program is held on the first Wednesday of each month at Fundación Cortés. In these gatherings, we have hosted internationally renowned artists who enrich the knowledge and appreciation of various musical genres of the Caribbean.

January: Música Campesina de Puerto Rico y El Siglo XXI by Fabiola Méndez

Fabiola Méndez is a renowned Puerto Rican Cuatro player, singer and songwriter who has established herself as one of the most representative voices of contemporary Latin music. With a unique blend of genres such as jazz, traditional Caribbean music, and popular music, Fabiola has captivated local and international audiences. It is worth mentioning the special collaboration of singer-songwriter Alberto Carrión during the event.

March: OKAN: Música del Caribe para el Mundo

OKAN is a musical duo that combines the best of traditional Cuban music with elements of jazz, contemporary music, and funk. Through their music, they aim to tell stories of resilience, love, and hope, creating a bridge between different cultures and showcasing the richness of Cuban music globally. In their performance at Fundación Cortés, OKAN delivered a vibrant show that celebrated the energy and spirit of the Caribbean.

In the press and media: