Meet Macarena Ramos Hernández | Interdisciplinary Artist and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Macarena Ramos Hernández and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Macarena, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I moved to New York City in 2014 for acting and directing school. I have always carried my upbringing, culture, and language with me: In my art, present-day and professional endeavors. Since I moved to the United States I knew Puerto Rico would always be home, yet going into my 8th year in the city I have also realized how I created a home for myself here as well. I am in a constant battle of finding a place of belonging, trying to understand what home is, and where is home. To be part of “la diaspora” comes with its own struggles and realizations which is why most of my artistic work revolves around the concept of home. Who I am as an artist is heavily influenced by my background, my family, my friends, and specifically my country Puerto Rico. I came here to eventually go back, and my hope is to be home. Slowly realized home is where I am at peace with myself, sometimes that’s New York City, other times that is in Puerto Rico. Physically they are both homes, but at heart, home is a small island in the middle of the Caribbean where its music plays all around the world, where the weather and people are warm and where resilience and patriotism move us forward.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Art for me comes in multiple mediums such as acting, directing, filmmaking, writing, editing, and teaching. I am in love with the concept of storytelling and learning about the other, yet I am most passionate about using art for a greater purpose. Art gave me a sense of belonging when I felt out of place, it gave me confidence when I felt less because of my ethnicity and it gave me a universal language when I felt I wasn’t understood. Knowing what art did for me motivated me to work as a teaching artist to bring the power of art to communities that don’t have access to it. As an artist, I have a voice to create awareness, which can create change by encouraging people to vote, protest and care. I want to create an immersive collaboration where every person involved feels like their voice, thus their story, is not only heard but also acknowledged and put into action. I believe I have the ability to create exciting, innovative, and moving work. At the end of the day, what gives me the motivation to create art for social change is my burning passion for equality, justice, and love. I am still on a journey towards my career in the arts. I am always finding new interests and passions, but something that I have clear is that I want my art to move hearts. It’s not an easy career and I still have so much to learn, but with passion, dedication, and support you can make it happen.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
New York City is truly the greatest city in the world, and I have had the opportunity to live in many places in the city. Let’s say it’s a beautiful sunny NYC day… The first stop would be Tomkins Square Bagels at Wahington Square Park where all of New York meets in one place. Live music, artists, skaters, students, elders, domino players… Well, you name it and it’s there. A stroll around the West Village is always fun. There are plenty of pubs, cocktail bars, and cute restaurants where we can stop by. As the evening starts to kick in, we gotta make our way to the best borough in my opinion: Brooklyn. Nothing like finding a good bar with live music in Brooklyn, taking a stroll by the waterfront, and enjoying the beautiful Manhattan Skyline.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family first and foremost deserves a lot of recognition and credit in my story. They are not only my biggest supporters but they are the people who have encouraged me to follow my dreams and helped me accomplish them. My parents have flown from Puerto Rico to every show I’ve had in the city no matter if I had two lines on the play. My grandmother, Abuela Isa, who is my biggest inspiration in life, and my siblings Tani and Panchi who stood by my loud singing in the house, magic shows, dances, and music videos without hesitation. They are the reason I am where I am, and why I did my first documentary “Una Célula Soleada” on them.

I also want to give a shout-out to my teachers, professors, and mentors. Ms. Escobar my french teacher in High School knew I learned differently and created a space for me to be creative in the classroom. My professors in College, Timothy Johnson, and David Mold celebrated my diversity and made me feel equal to my classmates regardless of my accent and upbringing. And lastly, Illuminart Co. and Naked Angels Co. first employed me in the city as a teaching artist and gave me the opportunity to share my art with others specifically in underrepresented communities who lack access to the arts. They helped shape the artist and educator that I am today by giving me the reassurance and confidence that I am where I need to be.

Website: https://www.macarenaramos.com/

Instagram: @macucapr

Other: Email: macarenaramospr@gmail.com

Image Credits
credits: Isabel Ferré Sadurní Liann Grahm