Sanamos en Comunidad [Healing in Community] is the result of a community impact project focused on fostering a sense of hope and reconciliation in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, with particular attention to how it was experienced and confronted by the Puerto Rican community. From July to December 2021, the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR) and the Office for Socioeconomic and Community Development of Puerto Rico (ODSEC) joined efforts to carry out a series of workshops aimed at promoting healing and well-being among children in the municipalities of Loíza, Canóvanas, and Carolina.

The workshops supported the development and strengthening of children's social-emotional skills, demonstrating how the arts can teach us to manage our emotions and communicate both our collective and individual experiences. The workshops centered on art therapy as a practical approach, providing tools for children to recognize and express their experiences related to COVID-19, with the mission of seeking healing through community.

A total of 240 children from first through sixth grade welcomed the MAPR team into their communities and participated in eight hours of workshops over four days of activities. These sessions were inspired by Puerto Rican art and the works from the Museum’s permanent collection.

This exhibition presents the culmination of that effort, showcasing a selection of the artworks created by the participating students from the following schools and institutions: Jobos Elementary School (Loíza), Taller Salud (Loíza), Centro TAU (Loíza), Boys & Girls Club (Carolina), Medianía Alta Elementary School (Loíza), Francisco “Paco” Dávila School (Canóvanas), José Severo Quiñones School (Carolina), Carolina School of Fine Arts, Lagos de Blasina Public Housing (Carolina), Jesús María Sanromá School (Carolina), Guillermina Rosado de Ayala School (Loíza), and Los Mirtos Public Housing (Carolina).