Sumei
Multidisciplinary Arts Center is a nonprofit organization, located in downtown
Newark, whose mission is to provide a space for artists of diverse backgrounds
and disciplines to interact with the local and statewide community through performance,
exhibition, and education, thus creating an exchange of cultural ideas and practices.
The center
was started by a collective of professional artists in 1993, who live in and around
Newark, and included musicians, architects, poets, graphic designers, visual and
fine artists all interested in broadening the opportunities between the local
and broader audience.
In
honor of the 200th anniversary of the Haitian Independence on January 1, 2004
the Sumei Multidisciplinary Arts Center, an Essex County based non-profit arts
organization has planned their 2004 program around a series of events that will
showcase Haitian art and culture. The celebration begins a week before Independence
Day, on December 27th, 2003, with a gala fundraiser dinner and dance at the Brasilia
Grill Nightclub in the Ironbound Section of Newark, New Jersey.
This
exhibit of historical and contemporary Haitian art will begin with a celebratory
opening in October of 2004. The art works of fourteen (14) select Haitian artists
will be on exhibit at the Sumei Art Gallery at 19 Liberty Street in Downtown Newark
until December 2004. After which, the exhibition will begin to make its way to
other notable galleries in the Northeast. Some of the artists expected to participate
are: Vladimir Cybil, Eric Girault, Dominique Volcy, Rejin Leys, Gary Lochard,
Michele Marcelin, Marilene Phipps, Margaret Solon, Gelsey Verna, Enock Placide,
Ludovic Booz, Nadine La Fond, Yolene Le Grand
The
Board members of Sumei hope that this touring exhibition will bring an awareness
of the strength, pride and beauty of Haitian art and culture to other communities
creating opportunities for more exposure of Haitian artists to the art world beyond
the borders of Haiti.
In
conjunction with the exhibit, Sumei will host a mini-conference/ forum with notable
Haitian scholars, professionals, personalities and the local community to discuss,
"The Relationship of Contemporary Haitian Art to Haitian Culture, Haitian
History and the Haitian Diaspora". The conference is expected to take place
in November of 2004.
Sumei
plans to end the year's celebration in December of 2004 on a high note, with an
evening of Haitian jazz, wine tasting and an auction of the work of Haitian artists.
Please
help in honoring the history of cultural independence in Haiti, its art and culture
by attending the December 27th fundraising event.
The
party on December 27th will be hosted by DJ Rene and Kiki of Heritage Konpa, New
York's premier Haitian and Caribbean entertainers. The night air will be filled
with the jumping sounds of Caribbean dance music and the smell of delicious Haitian
and Portuguese cuisine. There should not be an occupied seat in the house, only
swaying and bumping bodies gyrating to the Caribbean beat. With the help of the
party attendees, Sumei hopes to raise enough money from the night's proceeds to
help finance the upcoming year's Haitian arts events. The highlighted activity
on Sumei's 2004 calendar is the Caribbean Art Exhibit with a panel discussion
by artists and scholars which will tour to other venues in the state.
 | |
| Karla Alvarez &
Sumei members |
Karla
Alvarez, Caribbean Art Coordinator and a proud first generation Haitian American
living in the United States, cordially invites you to Sumei's December 27th fundraising
event . " As a board member of the Sumei Multidisciplinary Art Center, I
have the opportunity to help share the beauty and strength of Haitian Art with
the rest of the world. I invite you to take part in this journey with me",
said Karla.
Funding
for past events has been sponsored by Newark artists and residents, the New Jersey
State Council on the Arts, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Verizon, Essex County
Department of Cultural Affair to name a few. Additionally, the Sumei Center is
in the process of developing its own collection of artwork that has been donated
by artists and other organizations. The collection includes eighteenth and nineteenth
century religious carvings and tapestries from Yoruba culture in Nigeria, traditional
and folk art of Ancient China, works by contemporary African American artists,
contemporary Cuban and Cuban American artists, Caribbean artists, Asian and Asian
American Artists.
Sumei
Center yearly hosts presentations of music and theater from different cultures,
and international exhibits of art from different parts of the world. The organization
also holds workshops and exhibitions for young emerging artists, as well as art
works of cultural and historical significance and music performances around specific
historical or cultural themes. Lectures, seminars and workshops involving public
discussions on art and health topics and educational tours for elementary and
high school students are also part of our programming.
Sumei
is always open to providing audio, video and printed documentation of performances
and educational events for broadcast or public access in collaboration with community
based organizations in the surrounding area and other areas to bring educational
events to public.
Heritagekonpa
invite you to support Sumei's fundraising gala which will be held on December
27th, 2003. The Multidisciplinary Arts Center is doing an excellent job promoting
Haitian Culture though arts. If you or your family members cannot attend the the
event, your
tax-deductible donation would be greatly appreciated.
