The "Faces of Strangers: #36" Story

Marielys

It was an ordinary day.  Standing in Gallery #3 of the Museo de Las Americas in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico admiring the artwork of native son Antonia Martorell.  At the entrance to #3 I found several displays of the artist's woodcuts of varying sizes, some taller than myself.  As I was admiring the display a young girl approached me and began telling me about Antonio.  She seemed to know just about everything about the artist and how he produced the art on display in several of the gallery rooms.  I began talking with this young girl, telling her that at one time I taught the graphic arts in high school and my classes produced wood cuts.  She stuck with me as we passed from one display to another, telling me all about how the artist created the pieces I was viewing.  I asked her about herself and how she became so involved with the arts and working as a guide in this museum.  Told me her name was Marielys and she was born and raised in Puerto Rico, went to elementary through high school on the island and entered the University of Puerto Rico's Carolina Campus to study Cultural Tourism.  This young girl, born in 1992, was impressing me more and more as we spoke.  She was certainly well prepared for her position she now holds and her English, in a country that speaks Spanish, was impeccable.  After about half and hour of listening to her stories about how different mediums were used by the artist for his creations, I thanked her for her interest in both me and the arts.  She truly is a fantastic ambassador for Puerto Rico and the Museo de Las Americas.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.