PUERTO RICAN PORTRAITS The
Island of Enchantment is synonymous with slinky palm trees, gin-clear
waters and croaking coquis, but Vis.A.Vis made another discovery while
in Puerto Rico - and that is, fine art. Nestled alongside the narrow
cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, one can find the Haitian Gallery
Arts and Crafts, which houses one-of-a-kind paintings, sculptures,
woodwork and crafts. With two
locations at 206 Fortaleza Street and 367 Fortaleza Street, both
Haitian Galleries sit inside Puerto Rico's bustling jewel of a city -
Old San Juan. Founded by the great conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon in
1521, the entire city eventually became a fortress - castles, towering
stone walls and all. Nowadays, you can explore the city's chateaus,
fort, museums, shops, bars and restaurants. Between bites of the
island's delicious culinary specialty, mofongo, and flying a kite
alongside El Morro (one of the largest Spanish-built forts in the
Caribbean), gallery hopping is a must.
The pinacotheka we took a sincere liking to was the Haitian Gallery, as
it's arguably one of the best places to enhance your art collection
while on the isle. Whether you're a vacationer looking for the perfect
souvenir or a serious collector seeking your next great piece, you'll
find what you're looking for here. From hand-carved cedar chests to
original oil on canvas paintings, the Haitian Gallery offers a unique
selection of art you won't find anywhere else. Painting has always been a way of life in Haiti, yet in recent years, many Haitian painters have begun to receive international acclaim and recognition. The Haitian Gallery offers a wide selection of works from both Haitian and other Caribbean artists. Among the gallery's talent are the works of Bazile, Bresil, Buffon Thermidor, Similien, Constant, Edner Jean, Ernst Louizor, F. Mosanto, Frantz Pierre, Jocelyn Joseph, Levoy Exil, Jean Louisius, Pierre, Prefete Duffaut, Prosper Pierre-Louis, Simil, Valbrun II and Woodley Nelson. While most painters use vibrant hues, Haitian art has no singular style, and as with artists all over the world, Haitian artists paint in a variety of styles. Many of these painters fall into categories such as Impressionists, Realists, or Surrealists, while others are Fantasists or Primitives. One can be easily swept from the streets of Puerto Rico to the island of Haiti while browsing this unique gallery. From the distinctive ceramic dolls, vases and melodic wind chimes, guests can experience the colorful and jubilant vibe that is Haiti. So on your next trip to Puerto Rico, stride into the art-filled rooms of the Haitian Gallery Arts and Crafts and feel like you've visited two exquisite islands in one. |
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