With the purpose of creating an inclusive space and raising funds for the gender affirmation operation of a resident artist of Editorial Casa Cuna, the La Juntilla arts and literature festival was held on November 23 and 24 at Taller Libertá in Mayaguez.
The event, which was full of tables with artistic works, was managed by the artist and founder of Editorial Casa Cuna, Ketsia Ramos, to manage the medical procedure for her partner Noa Dimedetti.
Ramos clarified that more than raising funds and creating a safe space for dissident artists to show their work, the event itself questions the profit, health and education systems that complicate the experiences of the LGBTTQI
On the other hand, Dimedetti described the work as part of an attempt to create networks of support, solidarity and collaboration. The artist explained that there are few validation spaces and that is why they have decided to create them.
collective art
One of the artists who participated in the activity was the creator of Vuelabajo Colectivo and one of the managers of Taller Libertá, Euri González Orsini, who pointed out that La Juntilla complied with bringing together independent artists and aiming to decentralize the arts.
González Orsini explained that the purpose of the place is for the community to have a space to go to see art in the west. He pointed out the importance of valuing the cultural products of both the place and the festival since “they are people who can be seen that they are working artists, that this is their job and they have dedicated themselves to this. They are student artists and working artists.”
The space provided the opportunity for people from different municipalities to present their work outside the metropolitan area. All of the artists present were independent and the majority were students or transgender/non-binary people. Ramos indicated that “it is a political achievement to the extent that we demonstrate that collaborative work networks that are generated through mutual support create inclusive spaces.”
Some of the independent groups included Espicy Nipples, Huerta Semilla, Vox Populi, Leamos Más PR, Ágape Teatro and the Colloquio del Otro La’o. The activities held varied between dialogues, theatrical presentations, reading marathons, drag shows , music samples and workshops
