Third Puerto Rican Artisan Fair to be held in New York

New York, New York (UCTP Taino News) - The 3rd Annual “Comite Noviembre Artisan Fair and Exhibition" will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2008 in New York City from 11am – 6pm at 405 West 59th St. In keeping with its mission to promote Puerto Rican culture and art as well as to commemorate its 21st anniversary, the Comité has invited Puerto Rican artisans from Puerto Rico and the United States to participate in this event being held at the Church of ST. Paul the Apostle.

Of particular note is the participation of the artist company “Taino Spirit” featuring Aguilar Marrero and Reina Sipainaru Miranda. The works of the duo have been receiving increased attention with their exhibitions and displays being featured at the United Nations, the American Museum of Natural History, and other prestigious venues. Taino Spirit was recently acknowledged by Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion for their dedication to promoting Taino and Caribbean cultural awareness. Artist Aguilar Marrero received an additional distinction with one of his works being selected for the Comite Noviembre’s featured art poster for this year’s event. Marrero will be signing copies of these limited edition Comite Noviembre posters for visitors.

The Comite Noviembre seeks to create a “festive atmosphere” similar to the “fiesta patronales” that takes place in each town of Puerto Rico. The plan is to transform the event venue into a typical Puerto Rican plaza with artists, sculptors, vejigante mask makers etc. promoting and selling their wares while typical Puerto Rican food is sold from kiosks and musical acts entertain throughout the day. Workshops for children are planned such as mask making, the history of the three kings’ celebration, and other activities.

UCTPTN 11.18.2008

Taino Spirit at Camaradas in NYC

Cemi Underground Presents Meet the Artists...

August 16, 2008 from 3pm to 4pm,
Cemi Underground
1799 Lexington Ave. @ 112th St., New York, NY
Contact for info: 1(212)860-2820

Meet the Artists - Painters Aguilar Marrero and Reina Miranda will discuss their artwork and inspirations in this gallery talk type event and will sell prints of their work that have been exhibited at the American Museum of Natural History and the United Nations building.

Visit Reina and Aguilar at: www.tainospirit.com

Admission: FREE

Taino Artists to Appear on Local TV Show

Bronx, NY (UCTP Taino News) - Reina Sipainaru Miranda and Aguilar Marrero are two Taino artists collectively known as Taino Spirit. Their work based mainly on their indigenous Taino heritage will be featured on “Open” a local television show broadcast in the Bronx, NY. Taino Spirit will appear on the show live with host, the multi-talented Rhina Valentin on Friday ay, July 11, 2008. The show will be rebroadcast Friday at 10pm and again on Saturday 10am and 10pm. Viewers are invited to “call-in” or email to join the discussion in this weekly Bronx Net Cable Artist Spotlight on channel 67.

UCTPTN 07.10.2008

Cacibajagua Artists Present Gifts at UCTP Celebration

Cacibajagua Notes: On behalf of the Untied Confederation of Taino People (UCTP), Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Soceity Members Reina Miranda and John Aguilar Marrero presented 5 prints of their works which are on display at the United Nations until May 18th. The prints were presented to Kaliago Carib Chief Charles Willams of Dominica, Chief Damon Corrie of the Eagle Clan Arawaks (Barbados & Guyana), Ambassador Crispin Gregoire of Dominica, Ali El Issa of the Flying Eagle Woman Fund, and Pamela Kraft of the Tribal Link Foundation on Friday, April 25th 2008. The Day has been designated United Confederation of Taino People Day in NY by the NY City Council.

Photo: Eagle Clan Arawak Chief Damon Corrie and Aguilar Marrero (Taino)

Taino and Arawak Works on Display at UN Headquarters

United Nations (UCTP Taino News) – Contemporary Taino artists Reina Miranda, Mildred Mukara Torres Speeg and John Aguilar Marrero were among the indigenous artists whose selected works were featured at the opening of the United Nations Art exhibition entitled “Spirit of Our Ancestors”. The exhibition was launched in conjuction with the 7th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the opening took place on Tuesday, April 22nd 2008 at United Nations headquarters in New York. A testament to Caribbean indigenous survival, the paintings and their accompanying explanatory text have the potential to educate thousands of international visitors daily. Marrero and Miranda are members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society. Torres-Speeg is a UCTP representative in the state of Georgia. Also on display are three wood sculptures by Foster Simon, an acclaimed Lokono Arawak from Pakuri Arawak Territory in Guyana. Mr. Simon’s works are also featured in the Presidential collections of Guyana, Venezuela, and Bolivia. This special exhibition is free and open to the public during weekdays for a limited engagement closing on May 18, 2008.

Photo: Taino women at the opening of the "Spirit of Our Ancestors" exhibition at the United Nations. From left: Leenda Bonilla; Mildred Karaira Gandia, Maria Diaz, and Reina Miranda

UCTPTN 04.23.2008

Second Annual Puerto Rican Artisans Fair Highlights Taino Culture

New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) - On Saturday, November 17, 2007, Comite Noviembre is sponsoring its second annual Puerto Rican Artisans Exhibition and Fair at Hunter College in New York City. Held in recognition of Puerto Rican Heritage Month, the event will transform Hunter College’s West Building into a “typical Puerto Rican Plaza” with artists, sculptors, and food venders from 11am – 5pm. This year, Taino culture will feature prominently in the celebration with a Taino opening blessing, and a special presentation of Taino music and song with members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society at 3:30pm.

A family workshop on “Taino history and music” will take place at 11:30am (Rm. W217) and a “Taino Petroglyph Pendant” workshop for children will be held at 12:35pm. All day several prominent Taino artists will be featured in the celebration’s exhibition including Aguilar Marrero, Reina Miranda, and Esperanza Martell.

Established in 1987, Comité Noviembre is the only collaboration of its kind in the United States that brings together the collective talents and resources of the some of oldest and most prestigious Puerto Rican organizations in existence.