Gifted to Gillian Macaluso by her parents in June of 2022, this print was purchased in Puerto Rico. Originally painted by the French artist Nico Thomassin, the painting titled “Los Vecinos” translates to “The Neighbors” in English. Gillian received this print as a parting gift before she left for her freshman year of college at the University of Cincinnati. As Gillian’s family is from Puerto Rico, this print reminds her of when she visited Puerto Rico where was reunited with her extended family and she learned about her heritage and where she came from.
Listen to Gillian’s story in her own words:
This object is part of the “Expanding Worldview” section of the Artifacts of Experience exhibition designed by University of Cincinnati students in the “Introduction to Public History” course in 2023.
We encourage you to explore the other objects in our collection.
Transcript
Ilana Darr [ID]: Okay, why did you choose your object?
Gillian Macaluso [GM]: I chose it because it was a parting gift for when I first moved into college freshman year for my parents, and they got it for me whenever we went to Puerto Rico in the summer and spent the time learning about my heritage and my family.
[ID]: What does it mean to you?
[GM]: Puerto Rico in general just holds a special place in my heart. So every time I like look at the picture, I think of all the memories I made with my family and everything I learned there.
[ID]: And what memories does it conjure for you?
[GM]: Like I said before, it’s like just memories I made with my family and like seeing my family that lives there and just like traveling around the island
[ID]: Thanks, Gill.