Santurce Revives “Gallery Tuesday” – A Hub for Local Art and culture
for years,”Gallery Tuesday” was a cornerstone of San Juan’s artistic and cultural scene,blending traditional art with Puerto Rico’s vibrant social spirit. Now, artist Javier Olmeda and cultural manager Alexis Figueroa are working to rekindle this tradition, launching a new iteration in the heart of santurce.
The first event, held last week, reportedly exceeded expectations, drawing over 250 people with minimal promotion in its first week.the organizers are establishing a model of exhibitions held every three months at Olmeda’s workshop, with the first Tuesday of each month dedicated to activities related to the current exhibition.
This initiative isn’t operating in isolation. Nearby cultural spaces, including the water, sun and serene theater collective and the KM 0.2 gallery, are joining the effort. Olmeda and Figueroa are creating both printed and digital maps to guide visitors to these locations and encourage support for local businesses,with some shops donating gift certificates and products for distribution among attendees.
Olmeda, a former student at the School of Plastic Arts, fondly remembers the original “Gallery Tuesday” in Old San Juan as a crucial space for learning, inspiration, and networking. “It was a super enriching experience because one as an applicant was already establishing some goals of saying ‘I want this too and I want to be part of this,'” he explained.
He believes Santurce is the natural location for the revival. “Every time one says now, ‘Gallery Tuesday’, but in santurce, people cacha him quickly,” Olmeda stated, acknowledging the area’s established role as a center for artistic production, housing museums and many of the island’s artists.
Looking ahead, Olmeda and Figueroa hope to expand the initiative to other urban centers across Puerto Rico. This resurgence of “Gallery Tuesday” positions Santurce as a growing epicenter for local art and culture, offering the public a renewed opportunity to engage with the city and its creators.
The next event is scheduled for October 7th at 6:30 pm.
