JAKMÈL | The Unveiling of Kanaval tells the story of a people who have always used art as a language of survival and freedom. Migration, displacement, and generational distance have often disrupted the transmission of traditions like Carnival. This exhibition is about honoring that legacy and ensuring it remains visible, especially for those in the diaspora who may feel disconnected from Haiti’s cultural history.

Through paintings, sculptural works, archival materials, and contemporary interpretations, this exhibition bridges past and present, showing how Jacmel’s Carnival continues to influence global art, and political expression while remaining deeply grounded in local community traditions. For the Haitian diaspora, the exhibition emphasizes the urgency of cultural preservation and reclamation. By engaging with Jacmel’s artistic practices and historical narratives, the exhibition encourages diasporic audiences to reconnect with their roots and recognize Carnival as a powerful symbol of identity, and continuity of Haitian culture.

Opening Reception:

Thursday, February 12, 6-9pm

Haiti Cultural Exchange

35 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn NY 11217

Featured Artists:

Steven Baboun @stevenbaboun

Tania L. Balan-Gaubert @tanialaure

Bacheler Jean-Pierre @bachbid5

Charles Jean-Pierre @cjpgallery

Lori Martineau @lo_ayiti

Christina Rateau @blue_spiritu

Kedler St-Hilaire @kedlerskyve