I’m back in New York and proud to share I’m in another show this month. Last Thursday, BYENVINI (Welcome) opened at the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI).

This exhibition is the fruit of a seed planted by curator Yvena Despagne four years ago. Since then, she has worked tirelessly on behalf of myself and other Haitian contemporary artists to show our work, amplify our stories, and honor Ayiti with the respect it deserves. Thanks to Yvena, four years ago I got to show for the first time in an all-Haitian show with six artists I have deep respect for. Today I have the pleasure to present alongside my Haitian fanmi (family) once again, now eleven, and with works that have never been shown together in one space. Thanks to the CCCADI firehouse, a North Star institution, we’ve reconstructed “home” within its walls.

I hope you can visit and see the show at some point during the year-long programming CCCADI has dedicated to Haiti, centering the theme Lakay se Lakay: Home is Home.

BYENVENI welcomes you to explore the captivating journey of contemporary Haitian art and celebrate Haiti's enduring legacy, a beacon of strength and deep culture.

CCCADI

120 E 125th Street

New York, NY 10035

Hours:

Tuesdays 3pm - 7pm

Wednesdays 11am - 2pm

Thursdays 3pm -7pm

Every 3rd Saturday 12pm - 4pm

Guided student tours are available by appointment on Thursdays 10am - 2pm

Visit CCCADI.ORG/BYENVENI

Next week, a painting I completed in 2017 (around the time I decided I would pursue a path in visual arts), will be on view at El Barrio’s Artspace PS109 in "Let's Face the Music...a dance inspired exhibition."

The painting is an homage portrait of distinguished independent performing artist Loretta Abbott who passed in 2016 at 83 yrs old. It was inspired by a still from a Dance/NYC 2015 support video, “Loretta Abbott: New Yorkers for Dance (Upper Manhattan),” in which Abbott shares her conviction in the importance of dance to “the mind, body and soul.”

Loretta Abbott was beloved in NYC and in particular by her friends/family/community at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts where she was a founding member. "Let's Face the Music...a dance inspired exhibition" is presented by a group of dancers, musicians, choreographers and dance lovers dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the Clark Center NYC.

Come to the opening if you're free and able!

El Barrio Artspace PS109

215 E. 99th Street, New York, NY

Opening Reception: Tuesday, June 18 at 6PM

On view: June 18 - June 30

Gallery Hours: M-F, 12PM to 8PM | S-S 12PM to 6PM

Art-making Workshop: Saturday, June 22 | 12PM - 2PM

Artist Talk: Sunday, June 23 | 2PM

All ages, Free

i'm in New York for the holidays. seeing family, friends, and art. i caught another excerpt from Kahlil Joseph's Shadow Play at the New Museum. per usual, i was blown away. 

having watched Black Mary throughout last month, i am so full off this iteration. i can honestly admit that I have a reverence that borders on jealousy for film artists/makers. where and when the visual and the sonic meet is everything. Kahlil has certainly mastered that space while leaving room for the viewer to float, bounce, rock, melt, soak...and BE in that in between.

i could've watched this short film all day. i might go back, before i leave for cali, and take it all in again.

here are the sounds for Fly Paper. read up on the exhibition and more here.

45th Annual African American Day Parade, 2014. Captured with iPhone.