Rafael Tufiño Printmaking Workshop & NAICA Affiliation
The year 2026 marked a significant milestone for the Rafael Tufiño Printmaking Workshop (RTPW) with its relocation to a new facility in East Harlem. Through a formal affiliation with the Neighborhood Association for Inter-Cultural Affairs (NAICA), made possible with the support of Richard Izquierdo, RTPW has entered a new phase of organizational stability and growth. Under this partnership, NAICA now oversees all administrative operations, allowing the Workshop to focus fully on its artistic, educational, and community-based mission. The new location provides adequate space to house three printing presses and includes a dedicated gallery area to support exhibitions and public engagement. On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, NAICA hosted an exclusive ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening. The collective is proud to call El Barrio’s Artspace PS109 its new home.
Rafael Tufiño Printmaking Workshop
Founded in 2010 by master printmaker Nitza Tufiño, the Rafael Tufiño Printmaking Workshop is a collective of Puerto Rican artists dedicated to advancing Puerto Rico–inspired art through traditional printmaking techniques. Grounded in social justice, the collective uses art to affirm cultural identity, empower communities, and foster a collaborative, supportive environment for emerging and established artists, ensuring a vibrant future for Puerto Rican artistic traditions.
To continue the legacy of Rafael Tufiño, the Rafael Tufiño Printmaking Workshop logo was created to reflect higher standards of excellence.
The logo prominently features Tufiño’s 1964 self-caricature, highlighting his distinctive and humorous drawing style. A printmaking roller is strategically incorporated to emphasize the craft and the essential tool of the printmaker.
– Oliver Rios