Agreement Opens Chicago and Puerto Rican Artisans to Global Marketplace
Chicago, Illinois (July 10, 2023) – The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (NMPRAC) and Asociación Hecho en Puerto Rico (Hecho en Puerto Rico) announced a groundbreaking partnership in a first-ever initiative that seeks to keep the Puerto Rican arts, culture, and traditions alive and to continue ‘plantando bandera’ around the world. The partnership brings the innovative Puerto Rico Marketplace to Chicago, offering Puerto Rican-made products to customers on the mainland, and for the first time ever allows artisans based outside of the island to sell their products through the site. Products will be available to order online at hechoenpuertoricomarketplace.combeginning August 1, 2023.
The partnership was unveiled during a signing ceremony held on Saturday at the Barrio Arts Festival, the annual celebration of Puerto Rican culture and heritage now in its 23rd year. The event included a ceremonial signing of the agreement between the two non-profit organizations, solidifying the commitment of both organizations to uplift Puerto Rican artisans and provide them with unprecedented opportunities to showcase their crafts.
“This partnership was the result of a conversation with Hecho en Puerto Rico last week during an educational excursion to Puerto Rico with the Museum’s supporters and staff,” said Billy Ocasio, CEO of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture. “As soon as I met Jorge, I knew it was the start of a new venture where our two organizations, by working together, could drastically increase our impact of supporting the Puerto Rican diaspora, here in the United States and in Puerto Rico.”
Jorge Ramirez, Presidente de Asociación Hecho en Puerto Rico, shared his excitement about the historic impact of the collaboration, saying, “Just about everyone in Puerto Rico has at least one family member in the U.S., and when we send them authentic Puerto Rican-made products, we’re sending them love. This collaboration unites our efforts to support Puerto Rican artisans, and share that love with our family around the world.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Puerto Rican artisans here in Chicago to be able to share our passion and talent with people on the island,” said Jennifer Concepción, whose jewelry will be available via the new website. “The agreement between the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture and Hecho en Puerto Rico helps me to feel closer to my childhood home in Aibonito and allows me to share my crafts with my people and the rest of the world.”
This first-of-its-kind collaboration between NMPRAC and Asociación Hecho en Puerto Rico launches August 1, 2023.
###