Haiti connection
At Art Beat Miami, a half-dozen Miami artists and artisans present work focusing on Haiti. In its fifth year, the fair is hosted by Little Haiti Optimist, Northeast Second Avenue Partnership and Haiti’s Ministry of Culture and Communications. Among the Haiti-based artists included are painters Jerry R. Moise, Valerie Noisette and Levoy Exil. For those seeking wearable art, the culture ministry has flown in fashion designers Phelicia Dell, Danick Lemithe, and David Andre. Dell, whose new line features sisal, and Lemithe, who works with leather, are known for their Haiti-inspired handbags while Andre is known for his versatile men’s and women’s clothing.
“Last year Haiti sent only artists, but this year it is also incorporating artisans and designers,” said Merline Joseph of MJ Consultant Group, which is working with Haiti’s culture ministry to bring the artist in. “The minister really wants to promote not only the artists but the Haitian artisans. They want people to come and see their work and hopefully support them.”
The art fair kicks off 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday with a free musical performance by Haitian singer and producer J Perry in the Caribbean Marketplace and runs through Sunday. All events will take place at the Little Haiti Cultural Center and Caribbean Marketplace, 212 NE 59th Terr. The fair is curated by Miami Herald Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Carl Juste. Information at www.artbeatmiami.com; 305-492-7868.
On the agenda:
- Thursday, Jean Michel Lapin, Haiti’s minister of culture and communication, will moderate a “Conversation with the Artists” featuring painter Valerie Noisette from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, also in the marketplace.
- Friday, the focus turns to food with the popular “Spice it Up Miami,” 7 to 10 p.m. with Haitian chef and author Nadege Fleurimond, mixologist Mixo Michou, Pedestal Dessert and Chef the Rose of CUBAOCHO. Cost is $65 and tickets can be purchased at www.spiceitupmiami2018.eventbrite.com
More black art
- Art Africa Miami Arts Fair again showcases film, fashion and artwork from Dec. 5-9 in historic Overtown, noon to 8 p.m. daily. 920 NW Second Avenue; artafricamiamifair.com
- Photographer Marc Baptiste and the Haitian Heritage Museum present “Haiti a La Mode,” with an opening reception 6 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, 4141 NE 2nd Ave. The exhibit, seeking to change the narrative of Haiti by focusing on its positive offerings, runs through April 30. RSVP at thehaitianheritagemuseum.eventbrite.com
- The Lab Miami, 400 NW 26th St., presents “Let There Be Reggae,” a curated snapshot of reggae music and dance-hall culture. Though not part of Art Week, the exhibit on reggae music, which runs through Friday, offers another chance for art and music aficionados to experience Caribbean culture during Art Basel. It opens Thursday 6-10 p.m.; tickets for the reception cost $25 with tickets available online at https://www.lettherebereggae.com and at the door. Friday entry is free.
- Artist Damon Davis creates a world where deities of color reclaim their identities through the supernatural in the Afro-surrealist project “Darker Gods in the Garden of the Low Hanging Heavens.” The opening reception is Thursday, 7 to 10 p.m., at 6300 NW Second Ave. From 4 to 5 p.m. Friday, Davis will participate in an artist talk with Phillip Agnew, artist and co-founder of Dream Defenders, and Patrisse Cullors, artist and co-founder of Black Lives Matter. The free exhibit runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Source: Miami Herald : BY JACQUELINE CHARLES
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