by Wislene Boasman
The Consulate General of Haiti in Miami in collaboration with the Haitian Culture Arts Alliance recently celebrated Haitian Heritage Cultural Month with the premier of the “Discover Haiti” exhibit at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. The exhibit brings together some of the country’s most talented artisans showcasing a collection of art, accessories, clothing, and home furnishings designed and produced in Haiti. Famed designer and co-founder of Urban Zen, Donna Karan was the special guest at the cocktail event that evening.
Karan is among several designers that have dedicated themselves to helping Haiti after the devastating earthquake brought the Caribbean nation into chaos in 2010. In a recent blog post on the Urban Zen website Karan writes: “Haiti speaks to my heart. It embraces everything we seek to accomplish at Urban Zen – the need to preserve culture, a crisis of healthcare, and a way to educate children to help secure a future of sustainability.”
The “Discover Haiti” exhibit features furniture and accessories that were hand-made with metal, wood and stones. This “Haiti Artisan Project” aims
to create a sustainable model of small industrial production and commercial expertise to support the art community of Haiti, provide vocational training, and preserve the rich culture of the island. The exhibition also includes oversized metal work by contemporary Haitian artist Philippe Dodard. He also is the director of Haiti’s national arts school and is working with Karan to train Haitian artisans with techniques that will help them bring their traditional skills to a global marketplace.
The exhibit runs through July 1st, 2013 and admission is free. The Little Haiti Cultural Center is located at 212 NE 59th Terrace Miami, Florida 33137.
The Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance (Alyans Atizay Ayisyen, Inc.) was founded in 1994 as a nonprofit, 501(c) 3 tax- exempt organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Afro Caribbean culture, with a focus on Haiti, for the benefit and enrichment of the local community. HCAA is the home of the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance Archive, which houses a priceless collection of historical documents, including, manuscripts, documents signed by founding fathers, maps, architectural renditions, new and old books, photographs, and films on Haiti and the Afro-Caribbean community. HCAA takes pride in facilitating cultural programming of all genres to a larger South Florida audience.
The Urban Zen Foundation creates, connects and collaborates to raise awareness and inspire change in the areas of well being, preserving cultures and empowering children in mind, body and spirit. Urban Zen designs forums, partners with existing organizations and brings together experts to define solutions and implement action in those areas. When Donna Karan lost her partner Stephan Weiss to lung cancer in 2001, she dedicated herself completely to Urban Zen Foundation, which he had founded, in order to continue to continue weaving the world together with his unifying vision. For more information call 305 756 3037.
http://www.haitianartsalliance.org/
PHOTO GALLERY
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Photo Credit : Wislene Boasman
