The fifth edition of the Centro CRECE exhibition comes to Plaza Las Américas with 90 photographs and 11 short videos created by high school and college students.
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Imagine a portrait of yourself: a young person, camera in hand, captures the essence of your work, and that image becomes the way to introduce your business to the world.
From June 17 to 27, the first level of Plaza Las Américas becomes a gallery. Each piece portrays Puerto Rico's micro and small businesses through the people who sustain them day after day: the face behind every counter, every kitchen, every workshop.
The exhibition is an initiative of Centro CRECE, a nonprofit that since 2013 has worked to support the self-sufficiency and development of Puerto Rico's micro and small businesses. In 2025 alone, its work reached more than 20,000 people on the Island.
For the young participants, the exhibition is an uncommon platform: the opportunity to show their creative vision to thousands of visitors and to learn stories of business success.
The business owners portrayed, for their part, gain a showcase. The exhibition introduces their businesses and positions them as models for other entrepreneurs just starting out. The exhibition features people like Arleen Nazario, who from Sastrería El Búho, her workshop in Caguas, sews, makes alterations and creates custom designs.
Also featured are Nelson Ramírez Pesante and Clarimar Vázquez Ruiz, who recently opened Vale La Pena, a welcoming coffee shop and bakery steps from the plaza Cristóbal Colón in Mayagüez.
The Center for Renewal, Growth and Economic Excellence
Retratos de Prosperidad Exhibition
Digital galleryThroughout the exhibition there are two special evenings worth marking on the calendar. On June 18 at 5:30 p.m., the winners of the photography competition, selected by a panel of judges, will be announced.
And on June 25 at 5:30 p.m., the Film Night will take place, where the 11 finalist videos will be screened and the winners of the audiovisual competition will be revealed.
You can participate: The public can vote for their favorite photograph through June 27 at 11:59 p.m. via Centro CRECE's social media on Facebook and Instagram (@centrocrecepr) and in person by visiting the exhibition. The public vote winner will be announced Monday, June 29.
Find the exhibition: On the first level of Plaza Las Américas, in front of the Chico's store, in the corridor connecting Macy's and JC Penney. Admission is free.
The digital gallery will also be available at centrocrece.org/portraits-of-prosperity/.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
