Ebuzz News
Trinidadian Art Curator, Donnamarie Baptiste Delivers Well in History-Revealing Art Exhibit in Miami.
Caribbean people are everywhere, aren’t we? In Miami, a brand new exhibit that is currently on display to the public, at the Miami Museum of Contemporary Art, has been curated by Donnamarie Baptiste, a Trinidad and Tobago national. Baptiste provides arts & culture management consulting to national and international creative clients and is presently based in Miami.
The new project , “Veo, I See I See, Mwen wè Mwen wè,” combines visual art, storytelling, and technology. It celebrates the heroic civil rights work and the bravery of Judge Lawson E.Thomas, encouraging the community to explore the rich history of Historic Overtown. The project is meant to tell unfamiliar stories of individuals and sites significant to Miami’s hidden Black history.
The mural project began at 1021 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, the office building of the late Judge Lawson E. Thomas. Thomas was Miami-Dade County’s first Black judge, who presided over the only purely racially segregated court system in the United States known as the “Negro Municipal Court.” The mural was created by artist Anthony Reed II, known as “Mojo,” and pays homage to this important place and its history.
“We are excited to tell some of these little-known stories of individuals and locations significant to Miami’s hidden Black history. In addition, the site-specific murals embedded with unique QR codes engage the public and showcase works of talented Black artists,” said Co-founder of Miami MoCAAD, Marilyn Holifield.
The oral histories share untold stories of the people and places of this proud Black community that thrived before “urban renewal” highways decimated homes and businesses in Overtown and Black communities across the country. By scanning the QR codes, viewers will become immersed in Overtown-related interactive treasure hunt games, an interactive 3-D model of the artist providing biographical information, and an interactive museum experience map that invites engagement to chart the future MiamiMoCAAD.
The murals and oral histories will become part of Miami MoCAAD’s archive, documenting the museum’s journey to a digital/physical hybrid museum space. This is not the first major project curated by the Trinidad and Tobago national. Baptiste organizes exhibitions in traditional and non-traditional spaces. She has held roles in programming, sponsorship, marketing & communications, operations, and production with organizations that include Photo Miami, Art Basel, The Armory Show, and Creative Time. Her clients include a mix of tech, art, design, luxury brands, and spirits.
The exhibition of “Veo, I See I See, Mwen wè Mwen wè,” was made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor, and Board of County Commissioners and the Knight Foundation, and private donations.
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Caribbean Buzz
Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.