March 1, 2019 at 4:35 p.m.
ArtStart to spotlight Haitian art in new exhibit
ArtStart to spotlight Haitian art in new exhibit
The exhibition will feature the best of Waterloo Center for the Art's world-renowned collection of Haitian art, according to an ArtStart press release.
The exhibition will open March 7 and be on display through May 11. In addition, local Haitian-American artist Johanne Benoit will have work featured in the exhibition.
"The Waterloo Center for the Arts began collecting art from Haiti in 1977," the release states. "Over the last four decades, the Haitian Collection has grown to more than 1,500 works of art and is recognized as the largest public collection of Haitian art, outside of Haiti, in the world. Work includes fine examples of Haitian paintings, beaded and sequined flags, metal and wood sculptures, assemblages, papier-mâché and more."
Haitian art is distinctive, particularly through its paintings and sculptures, and is known for its brilliant colors, naïve perspectives, and sly humor. Frequent subjects in Haitian art include big, delectable foods, lush landscapes, market activities, jungle animals, rituals, dances, and a reverence for the gods. Artists frequently paint in fables. People are disguised as animals and animals are transformed into people.
"We are so excited to be able to offer this premier art exhibition to our community," says Ashley McLaughlin, Program and Operations Director for ArtStart arts and cultural center. "It is a happy coincidence that we have a Haitian-American artist, Johanne Benoit, living in Rhinelander. She has been a great help planning events to augment the exhibition," McLaughlin continues.
To kick off the exhibition ArtStart is planning a Gallery Tour and Mosaic Class, A Sip of Culture, Thursday, March 7 with drop-in hours from 2 to 8 p.m. Benoit will offer gallery tours of the exhibition and, for a fee, those who wish can participate in creation of a mosaic tile art piece inspired by the exhibition, the release states. The art class will be led by local mosaic artist Steve Schreier. Participants are free to pop in and out of the event but should plan 3 hours to create their tile. One sample food plate and one Haitian rum drink are included in the $45 class fee. Sample plates will be served at 5:30 p.m. Ticket information is available at artstartrhinelander.org.
Kent Shankle, Director of Waterloo Center for the Arts and exhibition curator, will give a gallery talk at the exhibition's opening reception Saturday March 9. The reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. with Shankle's talk starting at 5:30 p.m. Light refreshments and cash bar available.
Additional exhibition-related events and activities include films about and from Haiti, and children's art classes led by professional instructors who will use the exhibition to inspire the children's own art creations.
Haiti's tradition of story-telling will be honored as ArtStart celebrates Krik Krak, a Haitian Literary Day on Sunday April 7. This family-friendly event will offer the opportunity to learn about Haitian culture through riddles and short stories, the release states. On April 26 ArtStart's ArtyParty will allow the entire family to enjoy the exhibition and pieces made in the children's art classes. Kids attending ArtyParty will have an opportunity to make a flag modeled on those created by Haitian artists.
As the exhibition comes to a close, ArtStart will host a Haitian Festival Saturday, May 11 offering gallery tours and Haitian music and cuisine. Tickets for this event are on sale at artstartrhinelander.org.
ArtStart is located at 68 S. Stevens Street, Rhinelander and offers limited parking behind the building or visitors can park in the city lot across the street. Regular gallery hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. There is no admission fee for exhibitions, however donations are appreciated. A complete listing of all events can be found at www.artstartrhinelander.org or call 715-362-4328.
ArtStart is a not-for-profit community art space whose mission is to inspire, challenge and educate through cultural events and highly-distinctive, curated visual art exhibitions with the purpose of strengthening and sustaining our community, the release states.
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