FONDATION SANT D’A JAKMEL, HAITI
FOSAJ, Fondation Sant D’A Jakmel, was created in 2003, by British–South African artist, Kate Tarratt-Cross and British-Haitian artist, Patrick Boucard. Kate Tarratt-Cross & Patrick Boucard directed the center until 2008.
The goal of FOSAJ is to empower people through art and culture. FOSAJ is located in Jacmel, Haiti, a coastal city on the Southern coast of Haiti known for its artistic excellence in painting, literature, music. Some world-known artists have come from Jacmel: writer René Depestre, poet Charles Moravia, drummer Ti Paris, and painters Paleus Vital, Prefete Duffaut, Luce Turnier, to name a few.
FOSAJ has evolved along different facets: Support for fine artists, painters, sculptors, and artisans through teaching a full curriculum by visiting international artists and the directors, as well as providing them with micro-credits, and marketing practices and export systems, technical and design support, and a gallery space opened all year around. In addition FOSAJ artists have participated in national and international exhibitions. FOSAJ also champions community projects addressing issues important to the community encompassing the population of the entire state. The issues include HIV Aids, human rights, domestic violence, the environment, the media, social protection, youth development, film-making and music. These community outreach programs are also delivered through film and music festivals, the Festival Film Jakmel and the Festival Mizik Jakmel that prompted lectures, seminars and debates with socio-economic and cultural themes.
FOSAJ was very much affected by the January 12, 2010 earthquake. It’s much dedicated director, Flo McGarrell, was killed during the earthquake together with some of our working partners. The building has suffered extensive damage. The artists survived, but have been in a very precarious situation, in addition to their personal losses. They have lost many works of art, and were left with no material to work with and no gallery space.
The current director is Prince Luc (Luckner Candio), one of the first graduating students from the school of painting. Prince Luc and all the artists have joined efforts with previous artists in residence (their teachers), friends of FOSAJ, the international artistic community and organizations together with FOSAJ founders have started many initiatives to help with the reconstruction of the centre, the replenishment of art materials and the return to the foundation activities. The artists are now receiving donations of materials and have found a renewed inspiration in creating new works of art that are already being exhibited abroad and contributing to the fundraising efforts.
Jacmel, at approximately 40,000 population in 2009, suffered heavy damages from the January 12, 2010 earthquake. It is located only 50 miles south of the capital Port-au-Prince and 15 miles from the town of Leogane where the epicentre of the earthquake hit. The initial count after the earthquake listed that 50 to 60% of the town and the surrounding areas were destroyed with 3,000 deaths and 10,000 displaced. FOSAJ is very much present in the rebuilding of socio-cultural life of the township.
CAFA is a most welcomed opportunity for us to showcase the works of these Haitian artists. We are grateful to the organisers for having invited us so generously. This regional support means a lot to us and proves the Caribbean solidarity. We appreciate that CAFA will lead the way in the creation of significant networks in the arts for the region.
The following 10 artists from FOSAJ will participate in the CAFA Fair:
1) Prince Luc
2) Destin Domond
3) Jean Garibaldi
4) Désiré Obelto
5) Marc Arthur Lamitié
6) Rose-Marie Lamour
7) Jean-Paul Sylvaince
8) Joseph Sevenson
9) Ambroise Anderson
10) NarBal
Contact Information
Fondasion Sant D’A Jakmel (FOSAJ)
5-7 Rue Ste. Anne, Jacmel, Haiti, W.I.
Facebook: FOSAJ - Fanal Otantik Sant D'A Jakmel
Patrick Boucard at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Curatorial Coordinator for FOSAJ at CAFA: Regine Boucard This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.