Flyer: Tito Ortiz - Puerto Rico/Connecticut: 20th Anniversary Retrospective, 1998
Subject
Tito Ortiz
(Puerto Rican)
Date1998
MediumPaper
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineConnecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program collections
CopyrightIn Copyright
Object number2015.196.129.1
DescriptionFlyer for the exhibition of Tito Ortiz art works, "Puerto Rico/Connecticut: Twentieth Anniversary Retrospective, 1998"
NotesBiographical Note: Tito Ortiz of East Hartford is a long-time artist, solo performer, and leader of the group Son Borincano. His performances and work in schools combine music and storytelling to involve audiences and children in an exploration of the history and culture of Puerto Rico and include participatory playing of Caribbean instruments as well as historical background. He has presented music residencies at Guakia where he also taught guitar, the Andover Newton School, Massachusetts; Betances and many other Hartford schools; and especially with the Bushnell Partners Program statewide. Tito worked extensively with community groups such as the Webster Correctional Institution, the Cultural Center Without Walls on Park Street, the Artists Against Aids coalition, and the Village for Families and Children where he was employed as a social worker. He also taught art and was exhibited at Capitol Community Technical College in Hartford in a 1998 exhibition celebrating his 20 years of artwork. Born in Caguas Puerto Rico, his biography states “My goal with music and visual art is to bring audiences to a better understanding of the beauty and history of Latino culture. In my solo performances of songs and storytelling I feature my own compositions and the traditional stories of Puerto Rico, accompanying myself on guitar and cuatro. I also play Caribbean music and contemporary Latin jazz with the group that I formed, Son Borincano (previously called Aires Riqueños). We performed at the Bushnell’s Community Open House, among other venues, and had regular gigs at Braza and Bamboleo Restaurants which will continue through 2005. I also play guitar, guiro, and percussion with the David Giardina Jazz Band and Ray Gonzalez’ music groups out of Guakia. My music and presentations are in both English and Spanish, depending on the audience." In 1991, he was photographed for the exhibition “Living Legends” organized by the Cultural Heritage Arts Program of the Institute for Community Research. Known for his portrayal of the well-known folk character Juan Bobo, Tito performed storytelling and music as part of CCHAP’s traditional music series at Charter Oak Cultural Center in 1997.Additional materials exist in the CCHAP archive for this artist.
Cataloging Note: This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-245929-OMS-20.
Status
Not on view
