ART ARRIVES FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR THE OPEN HEARTS FOR HAITI SILENT AUCTION OF HAITIAN ART
Event to benefit the Haitian Education Leadership Program, Partners in Health and Fort Collins-Based Trees, Water & People
Friday, February 5 – Fort Collins, CO – In the aftermath of Haiti’s devastating earthquake, people from around the country are sending art to Fort Collins for the Open Hearts For Haiti Fundraiser and Silent Auction of Haitian Arts & Crafts (www.openheartsforhaiti.com), Thursday, February 11th at the Fort Collins Country Club from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Haitian art is being shipped from Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, and Washington D.C., just to name a few. The donations are coming in from private collections, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) who served in Haiti, and galleries that carry Haitian art around the country. Haitian artifacts to be featured in the auction include wood carvings, several pieces of Haitian steel drum sculptures, hand-sewn sequined flags, paintings and photographs.
“Haitian art is one of the country’s most successful exports and is sold throughout the Caribbean and world,” explained Melissa Basta, host of the Open Hearts for Haiti event. “Many of the primary artisan communities and galleries in Jacmel and Port-au-Prince, where these pieces came from have been destroyed, so this auction has a very special meaning for me, for Haiti and its artisan communities.”
Some of the key pieces to be auctioned include:
National Geographic is donating two images from its archives. One image is of a Haitian mother and child that was taken by National Geographic photographer James P. Blair. The photograph is being donated by National Geographic Image Collection.
Several pieces of Haitian steel drum sculpture have been donated for the event. Haitian steel drum art comes from a community of master artisans in Croix des Bouquets on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. Living in an area of extreme poverty, these artists create beautiful art out of recycled oil drums. Pieces are hand-pounded with rudimentary tools and provide sustainable incomes to the artists their families and the community. The Luma Gallery at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is donating a 34 inch oil drum sculpture of Noah's Ark. In addition, Luma gallery owner Cathy Coleman is donating a Haitian painting from her private collection that she purchased 30 years ago.
Basta is donating her large sequined Voodoo "drapo" or banner. This form of Haitian art represents cultural symbols through art made from satin fabric covered in thousands of hand-sewn beads and sequins. Basta purchased the flag 10 years ago in an artisan market in Port-au-Prince that has been destroyed in the earthquake. Three other sequined banners have been donated to the auction.
“To me this banner, which has the symbol of the heart, represents everything that is bright and beautiful about Haiti and its people,” said Basta. “If I had 100 more, I would sell them all if it would help Haiti today.”
Event organizers, Melissa and Joe Basta met while serving as Peace Corps volunteers in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. When the earthquake occurred they, like many across the country, made a donation to relief efforts. However, for the couple who gained so much from the island nations, they felt compelled to do more and started planning the Open Hearts for Haiti event.
The event will benefit three non-profit organizations working in Haiti, each with a different development focus including education, health and water and reforestation. The organizations include the Haitian Education Leadership Program (H.E.L.P. haitianeducation.org), Partners in Health (PIH pih.org) and Fort Collins-based Trees, Water & People (TWP treeswaterpeople.org) with 100% of the proceeds from the event auction and ticket sales going to support the work of these organizations.
“The Haitian proverb, 'Men anpil, chay pa lou' (Many hands lighten the load) truly applies to this event and effort," said Melissa Basta. "The support from afar and right here in Fort Collins has been amazing, and we are looking forward to a great event that will support the work of these wonderful and much needed organizations."
In addition to the support from across the country, local organizations and businesses have generously given time and resources. Local art collectors have donated additional pieces of art to the auction. While the pieces are not Haitian, the donations are welcome and will be included in the auction. Trees, Water & People has taken on the role as the fiscal agent for the event making it possible to for the community to donate to all three organizations. Design firm Toolbox Creative has donated all of the invitation and web site design work. Definite Productions is producing a 5-minute video for the event, and many students from CSU have volunteered time to help organize the event and spread the word.
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Open Hearts for Haiti Silent Auction of Haitian Art (openheartsforhaiti.com) will raise funds to for the Haitian Education Leadership Program (H.E.L.P. haitianeducation.org), Partners in Health (PIH pih.org) and Fort Collins-based Trees, Water & People (TWP treeswaterpeople.org) One hundred percent of the proceeds from auction and ticket sales will be donated to the organizations. Event tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at www.openheartsforhaiti.com or at the door. Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended to ensure space available. The event includes hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and complimentary beer by New Belgium.
PHOTOS: Images of event signature art work (sequined Haitian banner) and the National Geographic James Blair photograph of Haitian mother and child are available upon request. Contact Melissa Basta at 970 988 9582 c, 970 224 5918 h, or issarc@yahoo.com
