Journalist, writer, and Poet Iris Violeta Colón - Torres presents her most recent publication La Rosa de Cristal, a collection of poems dedicated to her late mother. In the book's introduction, Iris writes "I hope these poems serve to aleviate the pains of having to experience the loss of a mother; may this book be a point of resolution, inspiration, and comfort to all who read it."
Born in Ponce Puerto Rico Iris has been working for the last 30 years advocating for the disadvantaged, women's and children's rights, and victims of domestic violence.

 

 

Meet the Author's Mission Statement

In its commitment to bring Latino arts, culture, and literature to the masses, Taller brings world-class authors to what some have described as the Eastern North Philadelphia’s marginalized class. Hailing from Puerto Rico, New York, Peru, Brazil and beyond, what most other institutions offer at a fee, Taller offers at no cost, slowly creating an uprising of newly conscious citizens who instead of breaking barriers so that they can escape and never return break barriers so that others can come in and experience the wealth of culture possible when an exodus becomes a symbiosis.

Taller’s guest authors cover topics as diverse in range, from anthropological studies on gentrification in our inner-cities (Arlene Dávila) to the poetic bridges between Puerto Rico and Morocco (Victor Hernández Cruz), as the Meet the Author Series’ audience itself (i.e., elderly community residents, college students, activists, professionals, etc.).

Hosted in Taller’s Julia de Burgos Books and Crafts Store, the Meet the Author Series is an unpretentious exploration of the author’s work and the reader’s interpretation. Each session is followed by a Q and A session with opportunity for dialogue with the authors.