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This recording is a sample of the oral history Wanda is gathering of
our Puerto Rican Diaspora. The three Boricuas featured are speaking
about their lives and what is it like to be Boricua in Laramie,
Wyoming and Denver, Colorado.
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Obsession Made Simple
—"I shut the stairs and ran up the door, put on my
teeth and brushed my PJs, turned off the bed and hopped into the
light, and all because you kissed me goodnight! "—
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Wanda's Work Throughout the U.S.A.
Wanda's
Wandering Willing Camera
Don Jíbaro's Note: Wanda Benvenutti came to California
looking to see where the Boricuas were hiding... She
found me and explained to me the remarkable quest she'd
engaged upon. Looking for Puerto Rican communities
throughout the USA and find what was different about
them... That is, if the was anything to be different
about them.
Photojournalist Wanda Benvenutti... is a first generation mainland born Boricua.
Her Papi, Jesus, arrived in New York from Salinas, PR in 1961. Her work has been
recognized by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, The National
Press Photographers Association, and The Society of Professional Journalists. In
2008 Wanda was named a Seattle City Artist by the Mayor’s Office of Arts &
Cultural Affairs. To learn more about Wanda and American Boricua log on:
www.americanboricua.com
In 1999 Wanda started to photograph and interview Boricuas in North
Philadelphia, one of her many hometowns, and American Boricua was born. For the
past 11 years Wanda has been traveling throughout all 50 of the United States
documenting our people and culture for her first book.
American Boricua: Puerto Rican Life in the United States, is the first book that
illustrates a very important cultural shift in our shared history. For the first
time in history, there are more Puerto Ricans living in the mainland U. S. than
on the island of Puerto Rico.
This past June and July found Wanda on the road in far flung places like Utah,
Colorado, and Wyoming. During her time in California Wanda had the chance to
spend time with the writer and poet Piri Thomas (Down These Mean Streets) and
his lovely wife Suzi. Piri blessed Wanda’s book, “One of the great privileges of
my life was that magical day with Piri and Suzi. I made photographs for the book
while we shared stories and lots of laughter. It really does change your life
when you meet your heroes!” Wanda said.
Currently Wanda is planning her next road trip,
and preparing American Boricua for its publishing home as well as the
accompanying traveling exhibition of photographs. (Don’t worry; there will be
Spanish as well as an English language edition of the book!) Ranald Woodaman,
(Head Curator at The Smithsonian Latino Center), continues to be a trusted
friend and advisor for American Boricua as it is starting to be recognized as an
important part of the cultural history of the United States.
The official poster from the Seattle exhibition
Wanda Benvenutti: Boricua,
Puerto Rican Life in the American
West
University of Washington Jacob Lawrence Gallery in 2009. This
Boricua is playing outside on her 13th birthday in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Wanda's Work Throughout the U.S.A.
Hombres enjoy each others' company on Fifth Street in
Philadelphia, PA
A girl greets her Abuelo on a hot summer day in
Philadelphia, PA
A compatriota at an annual gathering of Boricuas from
Salinas, Puerto Rico,
St. Ann's, the South Bronx, New York
Una nena y su Mama at the Gran Boricua Picnic in Chandler,
Arizona
More Wanda...
Wanda during her visit with poet and author Piri Thomas
in Northern California.
Seattle filmmaker Marta Sanchez after Wanda's first
television interview
(Marta produced) for Channel 9 PBS/V-Me TV "Artist
Spotlight".
Wanda at the end of her hike to the very top of Mt.
Evans, Colorado during her time in and
around Denver. There is a vibrant community of Puerto
Ricans in the greater
Denver Area and yes, we do climb mountains!
Where is Wanda?
CLICK
 HERE
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Bomba y Plena
