The short version
- El Vocero reports the exhibition Van Gogh en Vivo: La Experiencia Real features 10 thematic rooms with life-size scenography, 360-degree sunflower fields, interactive Starry Night and a recreation of The Bedroom in Arles
- El Nuevo Día states the show opened at Plaza Las Américas with a seven-minute biographical film, real hay in a La Siesta scene, over 6,000 sunflowers and a virtual-reality finale
- Producer Josantonio Medallo Jr. told both outlets the experience is educational for Puerto Rican youth and families and brings the artist’s work to those unable to travel to his museum
- Tickets start at $14.99 for students and range up to $24.99 on weekends; the exhibition runs daily with no timed entry required
New immersive Van Gogh show arrives in San Juan
An immersive exhibition titled “Van Gogh en Vivo: La Experiencia Real” opened at Plaza Las Américas in San Juan. El Nuevo Día reported the multisensory show opened its doors with 10 thematic rooms that combine scenography, interactive activities and sensory elements. According to the newspaper, visitors begin in a lobby featuring an artificial-intelligence video imagining Puerto Rican landscapes in Van Gogh’s style accompanied by “Mi Viejo San Juan.”
El Vocero reported](https://www.elvocero.com/escenario/as-es-la-experiencia-que-permite-entrar-en-las-obras-de-van-gogh/article_5fd9eb19-6739-43f8-a300-e57620503c75.html) the theatrical, technological and human experience allows the public to enter emblematic works such as “The Bedroom in Arlés,” walk through a 360-degree sunflower field, visit a room inspired by “The Starry Night” that reacts to visitors’ presence, and explore a recreation of the red vineyard of Arles. Both outlets note the inclusion of professional actors portraying Van Gogh, his cousin Cornelia and Johanna, who preserved his legacy.
Also on PuertoRico.com: San Juan travel guide
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Nosotros siempre hemos buscado exhibiciones educativas que ayuden, instruyan y eduquen a la clase que viene subiendo, el futuro de Puerto Rico.
Our translation: We have always sought educational exhibitions that help, instruct and educate the rising class, the future of Puerto Rico.
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Vocero. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Educational focus and additional features
Josantonio Medallo Jr., president of Medallo Productions (also referred to as Mellado Pro and Mellado Productions), told El Vocero the exhibition seeks to educate young people and future generations of Puerto Rico by showing the passion required to build a legacy. He added that many residents lack resources to visit the Van Gogh Museum, so the show brings part of the artist’s world to the island for students, youth and older adults.
El Nuevo Día reported that Medallo, who produces the show with Rolando Santa of RSB Entertainment and Rolando Santa Fonseca of Chad Events, emphasized the family-friendly nature of the event. Additional elements include a room explaining the science of color, an old telephone allowing visitors to “ask” Van Gogh questions drawn from his more than 800 letters, spaces to create self-portraits, a large “The Harvest” scene for photo integration, and a virtual-reality segment. The visit typically lasts 60 to 70 minutes.
Schedule, pricing and ticket information
According to El Nuevo Día, the exhibition is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available through Buyatix and at the on-site box office. Prices begin at $14.99 for school groups and students, $16.50 for children, and $19.99 (Monday-Thursday) or $24.99 (Friday-Sunday) for adults, plus IVU and service fee. Visitors may enter at any time during the selected date without a reserved slot.
Both outlets indicate the show is scheduled to run through December, although El Nuevo Día quotes Medallo saying plans are to remain open until January depending on public response. Schools interested in group visits can call (787) 641-1851.
Where the sources differ
Both El Vocero and El Nuevo Día agree the exhibition opened at Plaza Las Américas, features 10 rooms, includes immersive recreations of The Bedroom in Arles, sunflowers and The Starry Night, uses actors, offers an AI conversation with Van Gogh, and is produced by Josantonio Medallo Jr. (spelled Medallo or Mellado). El Nuevo Día adds specific partners (Rolando Santa and Rolando Santa Fonseca), a seven-minute film, real hay in La Siesta, over 6,000 sunflowers, a Puerto Rico-themed AI lobby video with “Mi Viejo San Juan,” pricing details, exact hours and a virtual-reality ending. El Vocero mentions a room on the science of color and the exact phone experience using Van Gogh’s letters. The planned closing date is given as December by El Vocero and until January (subject to change) by El Nuevo Día.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not provide total expected attendance, exact ticket sales figures to date, the precise location or square footage inside Plaza Las Américas, details on how long the exhibition will definitely run if extended, or any information about possible future stops in other Puerto Rican cities after San Juan.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Así es la experiencia que permite entrar en las obras de Van Gogh
- Reporting “Puerto Rico necesitaba una experiencia de esta naturaleza”: exhibición de Van Gogh llega a Plaza Las Américas
How we checked this
El Vocero and El Nuevo Día both covered the opening of the Van Gogh immersive exhibition at Plaza Las Américas, quoting producer Josantonio Medallo Jr. on its educational value for Puerto Rican families. Specific room counts, interactive features and pricing rest on the individual reporting of each outlet.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
Nils Huenerfuerst / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0PuertoRico.com is free, and readers like you keep it that way.
The PuertoRico.com newsroom checks every story against its sources and publishes it free. If this one helped, a contribution of any size keeps the next one free too.
Secure checkout by Stripe: card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Link.
One payment, nothing to sign up for.
Contributions go to Puerto Rico.com, LLC. They are not charitable donations and are not tax-deductible. Payments are processed by Stripe.
Thank you for keeping PuertoRico.com free.
Your contribution went through. It helps pay for the next story.
Contributions go to Puerto Rico.com, LLC. They are not charitable donations and are not tax-deductible. Payments are processed by Stripe.