In a stunning celebration of Haitian art and culture, the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance proudly presents Haiti in the Heartland, an outdoor exhibition that brings a unique collection of Haitian masterpieces to Miami’s Little Haiti. The exhibit, set to open on November 1, 2024, collaborates with the Waterloo Center for the Arts in Iowa, which houses an extensive collection of over 2,000 pieces of Haitian art. For the first time, this remarkable collection, carefully curated over five decades, will be showcased in the heart of Miami, offering a powerful tribute to Haiti’s vibrant artistic legacy.
The exhibition features larger-than-life images of selected works, giving visitors an extraordinary window into one of the world’s most significant Haitian art collections. Thanks to the efforts of the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance and its partners, these pieces, which rarely leave the Waterloo Center for the Arts, are now accessible to art lovers, scholars, and members of the Haitian diaspora.
At the heart of this project is the vision of Dr. Petrouchka Moïse, Assistant Professor at Grinnell College and co-lead of the Haitian Art Digital Crossroads (HADC) project. Her initiative aims to make Haitian art treasures more accessible to the global community through a virtual platform. Inspired by her visit to Miami’s Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance, Dr. Moïse worked with Chairwoman Fayola Nicaisse to bring this physical exhibition to life. Nicaisse expressed the importance of sharing these extraordinary works with the Miami community and beyond.
“We’re thrilled to share this collection with Miami’s Little Haiti,” said Nicaisse. “Many of these pieces have been in the archives of the Waterloo Center for the Arts for years, and we’re excited to introduce them to new audiences, particularly in cities across the United States where Haitian culture thrives.”
The opening of Haiti in the Heartland will be marked by a special reception on November 1st, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by live musical performances as part of the “Haiti in the Heartland Music Fest” from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. The exhibit and musical performances are free and open to the public, inviting the community to immerse themselves in Haitian art’s beauty and cultural significance.
This exhibition is curated by Chawne Paige, Executive Director of the Waterloo Center for the Arts, Dr. Moïse, and Fayola Nicaisse. It is presented in collaboration with the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance, the Little Haiti Cultural Center, Grinnell College, and the Haitian Art Digital Crossroads project. Esteemed Haitian artists such as Edouard Duval-Carrié, Carl Juste, and Marie Vickles also support this initiative.
Fayola Nicaisse also stated, “The reason I’m happy this is happening now is because of everything happening in the country where they’re putting Haitians down. I think it’s important to control our narrative through our art. I am taking the art exhibits on the road to show some of what Haiti has to offer”
The collection began with a gift from Dr. and Mrs. F. Harold Reuling in 1977 and has grown into a renowned compilation of Haitian artistic excellence. It continues to elevate Haiti’s culture, heritage, and creative spirit globally. Through the partnership with the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance, the Haiti in the Heartland exhibit highlights the enduring influence of Haitian art in shaping cultural narratives at home and abroad.
Event Details:
Friday, November 1, 2024
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Unveiling and Opening Reception
7:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Live Music Performances: “Haiti in the Heartland Music Fest”
Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212-260 NE 59th Terrace, Miami, FL
Admission: Free and open to the public – RSVP Here
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the extraordinary depth of Haitian art and culture in the heart of Miami.
