Creative Diaspora: The Haitian Artistic Experience in Massachusetts
Category
Admission
- Free
Location
Description
Creative Diaspora: The Haitian Artistic Experience in Massachusetts
Co-presented by the Cambridge Art Association and the Haitian Artists Assembly of Massachusetts
Saturday, February 24 from 2:00-4:00pm
CAA @ Canal Gallery Event Space (The Hive)
650 E. Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA
This in-person event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required
Registration close date: Friday, February 23 at 5pm
Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring prominent members of the Haitian Artist Assembly of Massachusetts (HAAM). This event delves deep into the intersections of migration, culture, and the arts within the Haitian community, viewed through a multi-generational lens as Haiti celebrates its 220 years of independence. Our esteemed panelists include Charlot Lucien, Myrlene Legendre Desir, Duken Delpe, and Joseph Chery, with Nadege D. Tessono Okotie, M.Ed., serving as the Moderator.
This conversation promises to be a captivating exploration of the Haitian art scene in New England. We'll highlight the transformative power of art in preserving cultural heritage, addressing current humanitarian issues, and shaping future narratives. It's an opportunity to celebrate the resilience and vibrant spirit of the Haitian community through the lens of its artists.
Expect to engage in a diverse range of topics that illustrate the rich tapestry of Haitian artistry. The panel will provide insights into how migration has influenced artistic expression, the role of art in community engagement, and the challenges and triumphs experienced by Haitian artists in New England.
Don't miss this enriching experience that promises to deepen your understanding of the Haitian cultural identity and the influential role of art in shaping community narratives and building bridges across cultures.
Moderator | Nadege D. Tessono Okotie, a seasoned visual artist, has honed her craft for over two decades. Her diverse work includes 2-dimensional graphic design, illustration, textiles, patterns, and printmaking, showcasing her versatile artistic pursuits.
Her artistic expressions craft captivating narratives, rekindling perspectives and lived experiences that explore her identity. Nadege's creative exploration delves deeply into pattern design, symbolism, language, textiles, textures, black identity, women-centric perspectives, and cultural influences.
A distinctive aspect of Nadege's work is her exploration of themes related to black identity and her endeavors in celebrating and empowering women. This creates a profound connection through shared experiences and perspectives.
Nadege is dedicated to active community engagement in both her professional and personal life, recognizing the pivotal role of visual influence in the arts. She is not only an artist but also a facilitator and visual communicator. Her balance between collaborative and solo artistic endeavors is achieved through facilitating arts-based projects and workshops. She actively participates in exhibitions hosted by educational institutions, community organizations, and various communal platforms.
Nadege holds a Master of Education in Community Arts and Education from Lesley University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication with a minor in Art Studio from Framingham State University.
You can view Nadege’s work at www.shemovesforward.com
Charlot Lucien |
Charlot Lucien is a Haitian storyteller, poet, visual artist, lecturer, and the founder of the Haitian Artists Assembly of Massachusetts (HAAM). Through his work with various cultural and civic organizations, he uses art and lectures to promote Haitian culture and advocate for various humanitarian, civil rights, and public health issues. He has participated in multiple exhibitions in New England (Still Art Rises, Brushstrokes for Peace, Dreams of the Ancestral Drum, Who we Art), and his historical artworks focusing on Haiti have appeared in various publications in the US and abroad.
He has coordinated with his colleagues at HAAM multiple art exhibitions in New England that touch on the themes of resiliency, empowerment, creativity, and changing narratives. In 2018, he coordinated the release of Migrating Colors: Haitian Arts in New England.
His writings have been released in various publications and anthologies as an author. He has been on the board of or holds membership with various civic/humanitarian organizations, including the National Museum of Afro-American History and Culture, Boston Creates, the Northeast Storytelling, the West African Research Association (WARA), Boston City Wide Dialogue, Société des poètes francophones, etc.
Myrlene Legendre Desir | Self-taught artist Mimi Desir (Myrlene Legendre Desir) was born in Bassin Mayan, near Gonaives, Haiti, in 1962. Mimi developed a passion for art at an early age (5-9); she studied art classes at George Washington, University, Montgomery College, and Maryland University, influenced by French impressionists. She paints in both impressionism and realism styles.
She has exhibited in several art galleries and libraries in the U.S and received several awards and recognitions (Massasoit Community College, Official Citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Senate, Caribbeans Art Gallery award (Boston); featured in the anthology Presence Feminine Dans L'Art Haitien by art historian Marie Alice Theard; featured in the anthology Migrating Colors by the Haitian Artists Assembly of Massachusetts) and media coverage (Boston Haitian Reporter, Everett Independent, Daily News, Hyde Park Herald)
Duken Delpe | It has been at least twenty-five years since Duken Delpe completed his first painting and dreamed about becoming a self-made Professional artist. Born in Haiti under the regime of Jean Claude Duvalier, he is the youngest of five children and was raised by a strong and creative Haitian woman. Delpe began exploring his passion for art at age ten, and as an adult started his first painting because an artist friend, a painter, questioned him: “Why don’t you start your own painting? You are wasting your talent and your gift if you don’t.” Since then, Duken Delpe has painted his intrigues, dreams, fears, frustrations and happiness. In at least the past fifteen years Duken’s artworks are based on contemporary conversation, like Opioids crisis, Gun violence, Environmental crisis, Digital lifestyle. Duken's body of work consists of paintings, sculptures, collages and installation art.
Joseph Chery | Joseph Chery is the resident curator of the Haitian Artists Assembly of Massachusetts. In that capacity, he helps organize art exhibitions at institutions across the New England region to promote the Haitian culture and provide exposure to local Haitian artists.
The Hive | Please join us at our newest gallery in Cambridge: CAA @ Canal. In addition to a beautiful white box gallery space, we also have access to The Hive: an atrium-style event space.
650 E. Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA 02142
Public Transportation
The gallery is accessible via the Kendall Square T stop on the Red Line, and the Lechmere stop on the Green Line.
Parking
Paid parking is available onsite at the 650 E. Kendall Garage, as well as at the 350 Kendall Garage.
Metered street parking is available on Binney Street and the surrounding area.
Neon CRM by Neon One |