Driving past the numerous abandoned and ramshackle houses in Fairhill, a beacon of light appears at the corner of Fifth and Lehigh Avenue, towering over the neighboring gas station and buildings. With its beautifully displayed mural and eye-catching graphics, it is hard to ignore the Taller Puertorriqueno building.
Immediately after entering the downstairs book store, Rafael Damast, the new addition to the Taller organization as visual arts manager, greets us and invites us to sit and read as long as we’d like. After chatting for a few minutes, it is clear that the Taller organization, through many different media, is constantly working and striving toward outreach in the community.
“I know this is a community that I’m trying to understand. It’s different from the one I came from. I’m from Chelsea in New York and there’s a stronger history of art, involvement and culture. Being a part of it, I know art can be a facilitator as a way of breaking down walls and to think of things abstractly, on different levels.”
Founded in 1974, Taller Puertorriqueno has strived to reach the community through art, dance and culture. The ever-changing population and demographics in the city of Philadelphia are no hindrance to these goals, but provide an even greater motivation and inspiration.
“It’s a two-way mirror in a sense,” Damast explained, slouching comfortably in his folding chair and peering over his thick, rimmed glasses. “It reflects back onto the culture and strengthens it, but it also reflects outward on the people around it and they can understand that culture and maybe be a part of it. We’re living increasingly in a time of dialogue and I’d love to be able to strengthen that.”
Above the bookstore at Taller Puertorriqueno is a gallery that sees many different artists come through its doors. Rubber Swords, Lovers & Fighters by Chris Silva and Lauren Feece is the exhibit currently in the gallery, with many more to come. Along with the gallery are art classes offered after school, educational services from homework help to dance classes, as well as art therapy for senior citizens.
“There are different levels in which we try to interact with the community through the creation of art, and we expose well known artists to different audiences and hopefully this can all create some discussion.”
Ashlyn Coyne and Lucy Mushi
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