Art Showcases History of Broward’s Caribbean Community

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida –The life and times of Caribbean Americans in a South Florida county they heavily occupy will be showcased through an art exhibition this month.

Jamaican Artist Krystle Sabdul’s “Boys Laughing” will be Featured at the Exhibition.Guests to “The Island Imprint: The Art and History of the Caribbean Community in Broward County” exhibition, produced by cultural nonprofit Island SPACE, can enjoy the free interactive, virtual exhibition through June 29 at the Island SPACE website islandspacefl.org.

They may also visit the physical exhibition at History Fort Lauderdale (historyfortlauderdale.org), in The New River Inn, 231 S.W. Second Ave., beginning June 15. 

The exhibition is part of Caribbean Heritage Month celebrations.

“We are thrilled to welcome the public back to History Fort Lauderdale with this culturally significant exhibit that highlights the history and contributions of our Caribbean-American population,” Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale, was quoting as saying in a recent press release to promote the exhibition.

“We’re excited to continue our relationship with Island SPACE to share these visually compelling artworks and relevant stories.”                                                                                                

MULTI-YEAR

The exhibition is the second staging in a multi-year initiative celebrating Broward County’s Caribbean heritage by displaying the works of artist-contributors.

Jamaican David I. Muir, shares a selection of photographs from the “Caribbean-American” collection, printed on canvas and featuring Caribbean scenes around Broward County.

Two-time photography participant Sonya Sanchez-Arias from Trinidad shares pieces from her “Fragments” collection, in which images she has captured from the Caribbean region are digitally manipulated, printed on metal, and mounted on natural, reclaimed materials.

Mixed media artist Krystle Sabdul, from Jamaica, has included expressive, oversized portraits.

The historical aspect of the exhibition, curated by Jamaican Calibe Thompson traces the Caribbean community's roots in Broward through news clippings, archival photographs and information displaying the influence of diverse island people on the fabric of Greater Fort Lauderdale. 

GOAL

“Our goal with ‘The Island Imprint’ project is to showcase art, history and our region’s untold stories as a unique collective, and to stimulate further discussion on diversity and culture,” Thompson, executive director of Island SPACE, was quoted as saying.

“We are excited that through the new virtual feature, even those who aren’t able to travel due to the health crisis or other reasons can still enjoy the exhibition from anywhere in the world.”

Admission to exhibition is free with History Fort Lauderdale general museum admission - $15 for adults; $12 for seniors and $7 for students through age 22 with valid student identification. Admission is free for members, military and children ages six and under. 

In compliance with local and state health guidelines, visitors are required to wear a mask and practice safe social distancing of six feet apart. Hand sanitizer will be available at the front desk admission point. Additionally, guests will be asked to sign-in, daily, for contact tracing.

For more information about History Fort Lauderdale, call 954-463-4431 or visit historyfortlauderdale.org.