Charles Biasiny-Riviera ’90, a street photographer who went on to dedicate his career to elevating the photography and art of underrepresented artists, has died at the age of 93.

Biasiny-Riviera passed away on August 10 at his home in Olivebridge, NY. His wife Betty Wilde-Biasiny is an artist and professor of visual arts at Empire State University.

Biasiny-Riviera, a New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent, founded En Foco in 1974, as a collective of Puerto Rican photographers. The organization produced exhibitions, publications, and public events focused on showcasing the culturally diverse imagery emerging from the enclaves and neighborhoods of New York City. He served as the executive director for 35 years.

Over time, En Foco grew to encompass the photography and art of other underrepresented groups. In 1985, Biasiny-Riviera launched Nueva Luz, an innovative photographic journal that promoted the works of diverse photographers, including Dawoud Bey ’90.

In 2004, Biasiny-Riviera received the Mayor's Award for Arts and Culture from Mayor Michael Bloomberg for "his outstanding contribution to cultural life in New York City."

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