Puerto Rico Voted To Become A State — Now What?, Meet A Grotto Artist In Milwaukee

Air Date:
Heard On Central Time
Puerto Rico capitol building
In this July 29, 2015 file photo, a bronze statue of San Juan Bautista stands in front of Puerto Rico’s capitol flanked by U.S. and Puerto Rican flags, in San Juan. Ricardo Arduengo/AP Photo

After Puerto Ricans approved a statehood referendum in the U.S. general election, we talk with professor of law and history about what would need to happen next for the commonwealth to become a state, and what that might look like. And we learn about the inspiration behind a Milwaukee-based artist creating grottos with found art.

Featured in this Show

  • Puerto Rico: The Statehood Question

    On November 3rd Puerto Ricans on the island voted in favor of statehood for the commonwealth. This is not the first time the question has been on the ballot. We discuss the recent and past votes for statehood, and unpack the debate. We also examine the role of politics on the mainland U.S.

  • Milwaukee-Based Artist Creates Grotto-Inspired Art From Found Objects

    In the early 20th century, artists and religious leaders in the Midwest went to work building shrines of concrete and collaged found objects called grottoes, or sometimes referred to as cement gardens. We talk to a Milwaukee-based artist about her own grotto-inspired work and what she finds so mystical about the shrines of the past.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Sarah Hopefl Technical Director
  • Jana Rose Schleis Producer
  • Natalie Guyette Producer
  • Sam Erman Guest
  • Becca Kacanda Guest