Galería Éxodo — Attraction in San Juan

I have to say that this gallery surprised me. It's has been a long time since I was genuinely moved by art the way I was moved here.

Minding my own business, strolling through Old San Juan, I found myself poking my head into what I thought might be another local shop with plenty of wares to admire, but what I found was a pleasantly quiet and calming foyer complete with an array of local art, a water feature, and knowledgeable staff. As I was enjoying my surroundings, catching the cool breeze that was pushing down the corridor, I noticed a quaint little corner that was showcasing the works of a young local artist by the name of Monserrat.

Not only was her art advanced for her age, but I was immediately struck by the insightful motifs in her artwork. This amazing young soul seeks not only to be inspired by her audience but to bring her audience directly into participating in her art. She asks that people who visit her display leave a note of inspiration for her next works of art, and if you are generous to purchase a piece she asks that you complete the coloring of it and send a picture back to the studio for her to cherish and be further inspired. Such a beautiful mind to have created not only art but also a communal social experience.

Ultimately, I was deeply touched by one piece in particular whose message caught me completely by surprise. As simple as it was, the image portrayed a mother and her children in a kitchen as the mother is preparing a meal. The daughter has handed her mother a paper of what I can only imagine is a work of art, and the mother compliments her on a job well done. But just as many parents do, including myself, the moment is cut short by the mother needing to tend to her chore of cooking the meal... and the scene leaves you either as a parent yearning for a chance to engage with your own young children one more time to reassure them that you are very much interested in their achievements, and always will be. Or, as a child you relate to the scene knowing all too well the feeling of excitement you have getting to share your creation with the people you love most, only to be short-changed in your celebration and left to contemplate whether this is a reflection of your importance to your mother, or a statement of the world infringing on your right to be loved unconditionally.

Bottom line is, please visit this gallery and be as inspired by...

Lugar encantador. You can spend hours in this great gallery. Must go if you are in Viejo San Juan. Free entrance. A lot of information from all our roots/African/ Spaniards/ native Indians called taínos. Cozy place with nice breeze. As the gallery says.. 'A gallery and space of convergence: Inhabiting a colonial edification impregnated with stories that talk about changes trough the pass of time, not too far from the sea, we can find the works of artist that come from different corners of the world. In this eclectic space, diverse artistic views convergence, and even the most opposing voices salute each other. From Ciudad Juárez to Paris, crossing thought the Caribbean and the North-American territory, an invisible thread displaces itself, uniting each perspective. Now all we need is to string your view as well...' . A must for learning about art and...

Truly an inspiration. Just returned from our second trip to PR and our second visit to this amazing gallery. A laid back vibe and oasis in the throngs of cruise ship tourists. I think the second time more than the first we recognized how much there was to see and learn in the gallery about PR and Caribbean artists we never would have heard of otherwise...this gallery is truly rooted in space and community. So appreciated. For visitors who want to go deeper than t-shirts and trinkets and glimpse the culture. (pair a visit to the gallery with a visit to the murals on Calle Cerra in the Santurce district) New favorite artists: Enrique Tente Miralles from Cuba Rafael...