Standing in Our Power at the HOMEBOUND Exhibit

oooooo do I love my people!!!

My goodness… I had the absolute pleasure of being part of such a beautiful show, beautiful curation, beautiful space, and most of all, the beautiful people who are all connected to the island we call Puerto Rico.

AM: PM Gallery in Williamsburg, right there on historic Borinquen Place, is where all this magic happened. The group art show “HOMEBOUND” — an exhibition honoring Puerto Rican street art, graffiti, photography, and music.

There’s something you can’t really explain when you’re in a space celebrating your culture. I didn’t know what to expect. I got to the gallery early, and even before the storefront opened to the public, people were already waiting outside. I ended up playing dominoes with this really cool girl. We played until the next contestant came in for the challenge. Of course I lost (lol), so then it was up to her to go beat everyone else.

The anticipation for those curtains to open was killing all of us. But once the introduction began, everyone got loud, excited, ready. When the curtains finally opened, the whole crowd rushed in. The walls were filled to the brim with art. So much beauty in one place. It was massive. I felt overwhelmed a few times and had to step outside, and every time I did, even more people were walking in. So many people, families, friends, babies, elders, everyone who loves the culture, believes in the Puerto Rican people, all there together, surrounding themselves with the beauty that is us.

The energy was high, the sense of awe was real, and the performances… truly inspiring. You could feel the pain, the joy, the pride. For me at least, it felt like they were expressing something we’re all carrying inside.

I met so many people, artists, and even ran into a few friends. I’m honored to be part of such an amazing selection of talented artists. Being in that room with them left me speechless. I love seeing everyone’s own perspective, their own experiences, their own expression of what being Puerto Rican means to them.

Because being Puerto Rican isn’t a monolith. With our rich and complex history and the many trials we still face, on the island and here in the States, we have so much to say. And to have a space where each of us can express ourselves and be held… that’s a beautiful thing.

I left feeling inspired. I left feeling proud, proud of who I am, my family, my community. For all the things I could’ve been born into, I was born to a Puerto Rican mother and father who tried their best with what they had. Puerto Rican grandparents who did even more. Generations of people who’ve been hurt in ways I can’t imagine, and still, they persevered. They kept going.

And because of them, I get to experience this beautiful culture. I get to be part of this fight to keep our people on the map. And I’m grateful. So, so grateful.

Here’s the list of all the artist. Give them all a follow!

And if you’re in the area or planning to be, the show will be up until December 19th. Go check it out, feel the energy, soak in the art, and support the people. Trust me… it’s worth the trip.