Dr. Concha Meléndez (Caguas, 1896–San Juan, 1983) was the founder of the Hispanic Literature Department at the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus, which she chaired for thirty years. In the 1930s, she wrote many essays that she later published in literary journals and the general press, and presented as lectures.
Edited by Muna Lee de Muñoz Marín, this issue of Art in Review addresses the exhibitions organized and works acquired by Walter Dehner (New York 1898–California 1955) who was the Director of Art at the Universidad de Puerto Rico at this time. Published in 1937, this issue offers an early vision of the artistic and cultural scene in Puerto Rico. These mostly little-known documents also evidence the importance of the UPR as the main venue of the first exhibitions presented on the island.
Documents related to this topic include the title page of this issue of Art in Review (doc. No. 823185); “Art Exhibitions in the University of Puerto Rico 1929–1938” (doc. No. 824716), and “Exhibition of the Art of Walt Dehner, Catalogue” (doc. No. 823274).
Known as “Walt,” Dehner was not only an art educator in Puerto Rico from 1929 to 1946, but also a painter, lithographer, and photographer. Aware of the limitations of the island’s artistic milieu, he did what he could to encourage and support Puerto Rican artists. An important aspect of his work in education was organizing exhibitions, including Primera y segunda exhibición independiente de arte e historia (First and Second Exhibition of Art and History, 1929–1931); Exposición de grabados y litografías (Exhibition of Prints and Lithographs, 1930–31); Progressive Conservative Show (1931); Exposición de arte americano en blanco y negro (Exhibition of American Art in Black and White, 1932); Tercera exhibición de arte puertorriqueño (Third Exhibition of Puerto Rican Art, 1933); and Exposición de arte contemporáneo de México (Exhibition of Contemporary Art from Mexico, 1935).
