Zeitgeist Gallery’s Studio Z and
Artisans’ World Arts & Crafts Gallery
present a joint
Haitian National Heritage Month Celebration
Zeitgeist Gallery’s Studio Z and Artisans’ World Arts & Crafts Gallery present a joint Haitian National Heritage Month Celebration on Thursday, May 6, 4 to 10 pm. Free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served.
May is Haitian National Heritage Month and for this special occasion two Inman Square neighborhood galleries are collaborating to commemorate Haiti’s 200 years of independence. The beauty and uniqueness of Haitian visual art will be revealed through the works of Fontenelle Pointjour, Carel Blain, Lesly Jean, Fritz Ducheine, Lelio Fils Nicolas, Valentin Ivikel, Franceska Schiffrin, Ludger Chiquel, Andre Wilbert, Jocelyn Joseph and more.
Since Haitian art is rich in culture and diversity, it’s natural to celebrate Haiti’s independence through its art. Historically, the Arrawak Indians, a peaceful ethnic group who enjoyed pottery, dance and spirituality, were known as the first Haitians. The arrival of Christopher Columbus destroyed their harmonious lifestyle and decimated their population. In 1503, the first African slaves replaced the Arrawaks as the chief source of labor for the reigning Spaniards. To this day, African culture has been the chief source of inspiration for Haitian art.
Later on, it was the French who took it upon themselves to send African slaves to Europe to study painting. Around 1804, other factors influenced the unique style of Haitian painting: Henri Christophe, the first King of Haiti’s North, opened the first School of Art in the northern part and Petion, the first President of the South, followed this initiative by opening a School of Art in the south. These two schools gave birth to two different and distinct styles that are still apparent in today’s Haitian painters. The influences of these two schools left behind many masters such as Obin in the North and Duffaut in the South.
More recently in 1943, Dewitt Peters, an American who originally went to Haiti to teach English, discovered these master painters and created a Center for the Arts in Port-au-Prince. This school was strongly influenced by the Indigenisme, a literary movement lead by Haitian poet Jacques Romain, who was a strong advocate for Haitian art as a reflection of Haitian culture. It is the combination of arts, culture and history that creates the entity known as Haitian art.
Regular gallery hours for the Zeitgeist Gallery: Tuesday-Sunday, 1-7 pm. Alan Nidle is the Director. Regular gallery hours for Artisans’ World Arts & Crafts Gallery: Tuesday - Saturday, noon-7 pm, and Sunday 1- 4 pm. Carey A. Dardompre is the Director. Take note that Artisans’ World will also be presenting an exhibit of Haitian art in Doric Hall at the Massachusetts State House from May 11th-14th with an opening on the 11th at noon. This event is sponsored by State Rep. Marie Saint Fleur. There will be different guest speakers and performances each day. For more information call Artisans’ World at 617-491-0255.
Zeitgeist Gallery
1353 Cambridge St., Inman Sq., Cambridge
617-876-6060
http://www.zeitgeist-gallery.org
and
Artisans’ World Arts & Crafts Gallery
617-491-0255
http://www.artisansworldgallery.com
(Background on the series: Studio Z First Thursday at the Zeitgeist Gallery)
Studio Z is a curated art event scheduled to take place on the first Thursday of each month. Studio Z is an opportunity for 5-7+ artists to show and sell their work. Studio Z is also an opportunity for the public to see, talk about, and purchase fine art immediately and informally, sometimes directly from the artist. A salon atmosphere will prevail, with lively discussion and an opportunity for impromptu performance and music moments. Temporary exhibit walls will be brought in to display the work. The art will be both inexpensive and of fine quality. There is no admission fee and light refreshments will be served. Studio Z First Thursday has recently received partial funding from the Cambridge Arts Council, as part of the grant program of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), a state agency.