Archive
Biblioteca Virtual
Welcome to the El Cuarto del Quenepón archive—our Biblioteca Virtual. Since 2001, we have documented Puerto Rican contemporary culture through essays, profiles, reviews, and interviews. This digital collection preserves over two decades of cultural writing for researchers, students, and anyone interested in Puerto Rican creative expression.
Browse by Decade
2020s
The post-Hurricane María era, the global pandemic, and a new generation of artists responding to crisis with creativity.
- Art: Post-disaster art movements, digital art, diaspora exhibitions
- Literature: Hurricane memoirs, new Nuyorican voices, translated works
- Music: Reggaeton’s global dominance, Bad Bunny phenomenon, bomba revival
2010s
A decade of political awakening, cultural reclamation, and the rise of Puerto Rican artists on the world stage.
- Art: Santurce renaissance, street art explosion, art as activism
- Literature: Bilingual publishing boom, emergence of LGBTQ+ voices
- Music: Reggaeton evolution, trap Latino, experimental fusion
2000s
Our founding years, documenting the vibrant San Juan arts scene and its connections to diaspora communities.
- Art: Gallery scene documentation, emerging artist profiles
- Literature: Literary magazine culture, poetry slam movement
- Music: Salsa romantica, early reggaeton, traditional music preservation
Featured Archive Pieces
”Identity and Diaspora: The Puerto Rican Artist Between Two Worlds” (2003)
By Rafael Colón
A foundational essay exploring how Puerto Rican artists have navigated questions of identity, belonging, and cultural expression while moving between the island and the mainland United States. This piece, one of our most-cited articles, examines the work of artists who create from the hyphenated space of Puerto Rican-American identity.
“The Sound of Santurce: A Neighborhood’s Musical History” (2008)
By Elena Vega Santiago
An oral history of the Santurce neighborhood through its music—from the jíbaro songs of early migrants to the reggaeton studios that would change global pop music. Featuring interviews with longtime residents and musicians.
“Women in Puerto Rican Literature: A Critical Survey” (2011)
By Ana Cristina López
A comprehensive examination of women writers in Puerto Rican literary history, from Julia de Burgos to contemporary voices. This essay traces themes of feminism, nationalism, and innovation across generations.
“Bomba Lives: The Preservation of African-Puerto Rican Tradition” (2015)
By Roberto Maldonado
A deep dive into the communities keeping bomba alive—from Loíza to Brooklyn. Interviews with master drummers, dancers, and teachers explain the spiritual and cultural significance of this foundational Puerto Rican art form.
Archive Categories
Art
- Artist Profiles (87 articles)
- Exhibition Reviews (124 articles)
- Critical Essays (56 articles)
- Gallery Features (42 articles)
- Visual Portfolios (31 articles)
Literature
- Poetry Features (145 articles)
- Fiction Excerpts (68 articles)
- Book Reviews (203 articles)
- Author Interviews (89 articles)
- Essays & Criticism (112 articles)
Music
- Artist Profiles (156 articles)
- Album Reviews (287 articles)
- Genre Histories (34 articles)
- Concert Reviews (98 articles)
- Oral Histories (23 articles)
Using the Archive
The El Cuarto del Quenepón archive is freely accessible to all readers. We ask that you cite us when using our materials in academic or journalistic work:
El Cuarto del Quenepón. [Article Title]. [Date]. cuarto.quenepon.org.
For academic licensing, high-resolution images, or interview transcripts, please contact our editorial team at editor@cuarto.quenepon.org.
Special Collections
Biblioteca de Artistas Gráficos
Our directory of Puerto Rican graphic artists and printmakers, documenting the visual arts tradition from DIVEDCO to today.
Browse the Artistas Gráficos →
Rubén Blades: El Poeta de la Salsa
A special section dedicated to the Panamanian singer-songwriter who transformed salsa and left an indelible mark on Puerto Rican musical culture.
Explore the Rubén Blades collection →
E-Conversations (2002)
Our early online discussion series examining Puerto Rican culture at the turn of the millennium, including conversations on cultural brokers, diaspora identity, and institutional power.
More from the Archive
Current Articles
Art
Literature
- Between Two Shores: Puerto Rican Poetry
- The Nuyorican Poets Café at 50
- Five Emerging Puerto Rican Novelists
Music
Preservation Partners
We thank the following institutions for their support in preserving and digitizing our archive:
- University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
- Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños, Hunter College
- Archivo General de Puerto Rico
- Smithsonian Latino Center