Arts & Traditions
Juan finds inspiration in all manifestations of Taino and African heritage present in his country. For Juan, one of the most important aspects of his art expression is to respect Loiza’s and Puerto Rico’s art history and tradition, and to reaffirm and maintain the presence of Taino and Afro-Caribbean heritage in his culture.
During his young adulthood, Juan Pablo was involved in many movements in defense of his hometown's natural reserves and cultural manifestations. Juan Pablo worked alongside community groups to identify their needs and interests, and to organize and implement the proposed solutions. Alongside the radical puppet theater group – Papel Machete-AgitArte – Juan Pablo used art to bring his colorful character, the “vejigante”, to the streets as a symbol of resistance. By painting murals, enacting puppet theaters, making handcrafted masks, music, dance, and community service, they were able to combine art with daily life, reaffirming their belief that art objects are more than mere decoration, but expressions of daily life’s struggles and realities.
Exhibitions - Artworks
2025 De Aquí Nadie Nos Saca, La Quince, Santurce PR
2025 Neutro, El Ancón de Loíza PR
2025 Taller y Comparsa de vejigantes, Escuela Pescantil, Loíza PR
2024 On the Eve of abolition (en colaboración con AgitArte | Papel Machete), Boston MA, USA
2024 La Tintorera, Loíza PR
2024 Taller y comparsa “La Tribu”, Loíza PR
2023 Obra reciente, Casa Silvana, Humacao PR
2023 Primera Comparsa Piñonera
2023 Carnaval Ancestral (en colaboración con Gloriann Sacha Antonetty)
2023 Primera Compara de la Niñez de Piñones
2023 Exposicion, Antesala a las Fiestas de Santiago Apostol, Canovanas PR
2023 Contemplaciones, Cumbre Afro, Galería 209, UPRRP
2023 Candela Candela, Corredor Afro, Piñones
2022 Residencia artistica, Greenville South Carolina
2022 On the Eve of Abolition, Dallas Texas
2022 Las Otras Caras del Barrio, Santurce PR
2022 AfroIdentidades, Arsenal de la Puntilla, San Juan PR
2021 Otras Voces, Museo Casa Escuté, Carolina PR
2021 Relatos de Un Pasaje (comisión del Museo de Arte Contemporáneo y su programa MAC en el Barrio), Loíza PR.
2020 Babel Masks, Berlin, Germany
2019 Todes Vejigantes, Fordistas Miami Florida, USA
2019 Todes Vejigantes, El Ancón de Loiza PR.
2018 Fordistas (Live Art), Lake Worth Beach, Florida, USA
2018 Reinaguración y Apertura El Ancón de Loíza, Loíza PR
2018 Inauguración y Apertura Macro HairLab/Art Studio, Miami, Florida, USA
2017 CitiCien, Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center NYC, USA
2017 Puerto Rican Day Parade. Comparsa de Vejigante en Honor a O.L.R, NYC, USA
2016 The Tribe Art Show, Wynwood, Florida, USA
2015 Las Caras Lindas, The National Museum for The Puertorican Arts and Culture, Chicago, IL, USA
2015 The Tribe Art Show, Coconut Grove Florida, USA
2013 Las Caras Lindas, Museo Fuerte Conde de Mirasol, Vieques PR.
2012 El Jolgorio, Boston MA, USA
2012 Las Caras Lindas, Santurce PR.
2011 Allure Salon, Coconut Groove Art Festival, Miami FL., USA
2011 Gallery 212, Wynwood Art District, Miami FL, USA
2011 AgitArte 15 years kick-off Fund Raiser, Boston MA., USA
2007 "I Have a Dream" Monte Grande, Pinones.
2008 Comparsa de Las Cuevas, Loíza PR.
2009 "Cultura es Lucha" Comparsa de Villa Cañona, Loíza PR.
