Vassar Haiti Project

The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind for project members, as we have scrambled to get information, answer queries, and determine how best to respond to the earthquake. As news has emerged, the direction of our efforts has become clearer. The work of the Vassar Haiti Project has never been more important. All of Haiti has been affected by this crisis. We have received news from our contacts in Gros Morne that thousands of people have already arrived in Gros Morne from Port-au-Prince. There may be cracks in the school and clinic in Chermaitre. While worldwide relief efforts are rightly focused on the capital, it is essential that we continue to provide support and relief to the communities with which we have an established relationship, while we maintain our long-term commitment to providing education, nutrition, medical care and sustainable development to the village of Chermaitre and to supporting Haitian Arts.

The art community in Port-au-Prince has been devastated by the earthquake. One gallery has written us to say that all but one of the artists they work with have lost their homes. The Centre D’Art, the oldest and most important gallery in Port-au-Prince has been destroyed, and has asked for our help in rebuilding.  They seek first to recover any paintings they can from the rubble, and then to rebuild this important art center.  The city’s main art museum, and the Episcopal Church’s Holy Trinity Cathedral, famous for it’s murals of bible stories with black figures, have also been destroyed. Gallery owners are still trying to contact many of their artists. Through political turmoil, natural disasters, and crippling poverty, the Haitian artists have preserved a cultural heritage, and offered pride and hope to the Haitian people through their beautiful visions of their beloved country. Protecting and supporting the art community and culture in Haiti will be vital for its long-term recovery and its rebuilding as a nation.

See the following articles for more information:

Miami Herald

New York Times

LA Times

Vassar Haiti Project will be raising money to support an artist recovery fund already established by one of the galleries we work with. In addition, we will collect funds to support relief efforts in Gros Morne, and possible damage to the school and clinic. If you would like to donate, you can send us a check, buy a painting online, or attend one of our art sales. Because many of our artists and galleries have been affected by the earthquake, we do not yet know if we will be able to get new paintings for the April sale. In the past, we have been overwhelmed by generous patrons who have donated art to our cause and hope that many more will come forward in the weeks ahead.  Our need for art to be able to continue supporting our cause is now greater than ever.

Thank you for keeping the people of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers.