The Haiti Project marks its 25th anniversary featuring a unique Haitian Art & Handcraft Sale at Second Congregational Church in Greenwich.
This year’s event will showcase hundreds of original and affordable Haitian paintings and handcrafts.
Student volunteers from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY will be hosting the sale along with members of the Second Congregational Church.
All are invited to join the Haiti Project Saturday, February, 28 and Sunday, March 1 for the Haitian art sale showcasing hundreds of original Haitian art and handcrafts.
The art sale will take place at The Second Congregational Church at 139 East Putnam Avenue in Greenwich. The sale is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Greenwich Art Sale link on our website.
Gordon Ng, a long-time community member of Greenwich and supporter of The Haiti Project is thrilled to welcome them back to Greenwich.
Mr. Ng said, “As the parent of a former Haiti Project student president and a council member of Second Congregational Church of Greenwich, I have the unique opportunity to see the value of the art sale from two perspectives: I recognize the critical nature of this event for the Haitian villagers that rely on the programs that the sale proceeds funds. As well, art sale attendees love browsing the sale items and are supportive of the initiatives that provide hope for Haitians. Second Congregational Church has a history of supporting other non-profits and sponsoring the Haiti Project’s art sale aligns with that philosophy.”
Original paintings and handicrafts made in Haiti will be offered for sale or auction. Works encompass paintings, iron sculptures, paper mâché, wood and metal handcrafts and more – displaying the country’s diverse and talented artistic voices. Sales directly support the livelihoods of hundreds of local artists, and proceeds also benefit numerous programs in Chermaitre—a mountain village in Haiti. Proceeds from this Art Sale go towards supporting art, education, health, and sustainable development in villages in rural Haiti. The Haiti Project has been working for 25 years to improve the living conditions in this region.
You can support sustainable development initiatives in Haiti, while simultaneously connecting with the vibrant, joyous narrative expressed through the art.
Vassar Student Joy Zhang, from the class of 2027, volunteered at the Art Pop Up sale at the Second Congregational Church last fall, and said, “I loved connecting with people who came to the art sale by speaking with them about metal crafts and metal art from Haiti. I study Art History at Vassar College and being able to apply my knowledge by speaking about composition, structure, and materiality with community members in Greenwich was a very rewarding and fulfilling experience. Through sharing what I’ve learned, I hope people will grow their appreciation of metal art and other Haitian artworks”
“Each piece of artwork tells so many stories. They paint the hopes and dreams of a people,” said Co-founder of the Haiti Project, Dr. Andrew Meade. “They spread joy and help to transform a narrative of who Haiti, and Haitians, really are. And through their purchase, they support an artist and their family. Enjoy surreal dreamscapes, abundant landscapes, intricate metalwork, and scenes of daily life. It is an opportunity to discover emerging talents alongside established 20th century masters. This breathtaking gathering of creativity affirms our conviction in art’s power to preserve heritage and seed progress.”
Schedule:
Saturday 2/28 Art Sale (In Person) 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 2/28 Wine/Cheese Reception 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sunday 3/1 Art Sale (In Person) 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
If you can’t make it to the sale, you may order paintings from the online store.
The Haiti Project is a 501©3 nonprofit organization that works closely with community members, youth of all ages, and like-minded organizations. Their work is an experiential education program that teaches student volunteers the theory and practice of global citizenship. In addition to the purchase and sale of original Haitian art, contributions benefit five initiatives in the northwest mountains of Haiti: education, reforestation, clean water access, a women’s cooperative, and health care.
Co-founded 25 years ago by Lila and Andrew Meade, the Haiti Project remains a unique, student-centered and student-driven experiential education in global citizenship theory and practice.
Lila Meade serves as Executive Director of the Haiti Project, and Andrew Meade serves on the Board of Directors for the organization, giving direction to its annual goals. The Project continues to fund sustainable development initiatives in Haiti through its successful art sales and private donations, including:
● Education: Chermaitre’s primary school serves over 250 students daily in grades K-6. A breakfast and lunch program offers two meals per day. An Adult Education Program teaches adults, literacy, writing and math. A new trade school scholarship program to support young teens into professions has just been launched.
● Medical clinic: Fully operational since 2014, the clinic is staffed by two full-time nurses and a physician, seeing 3,000 patients annually from 47 mountain villages. Construction began on a new solar powered lab, funded by a Rotary grant, is nearing completion and promises to catapult the quality and speed of accessible healthcare in the region.
● Women’s Cooperative: The cooperative was formed by women from mountain villages in Northwest Haiti. A recent program of microfinancing loans to 30 women to increase their businesses has been successful.
● Reforestation: With a 95% success rate, over 65,000 trees have been planted through an ongoing community program rewarding participating families. We are actively seeking grants and donations to continue these efforts.
● Water Access: Centrally purified water is available via fountains lining mountain trails, providing 500 families with clean water thanks to a Rotary Global Foundation grant.