Celebrate Haitian Heritage Month Through The Arts in Brooklyn

Atelier Artist in Flatbush is hosting a packed lineup of live events and programs in May, including launching its first creative residency featuring Haitian-American artist Riva Nyri Précil as part of Haitian Heritage Month programming.

Précil, an interdisciplinary artist whose work spans sound, movement and visual expression, leads the inaugural residency with a project inspired by Kouzen Zaka, a figure in Haitian spirituality associated with agriculture, labor and abundance.

Her work draws on cultural memory and ancestral knowledge, blending music, healing traditions and immersive gatherings designed to foster reflection and connection.

“My work is about creating spaces where people can return to themselves, to spirit, and to the wisdom carried through culture,” Précil said in a statement. “Kouzen Zaka speaks to land, labor, nourishment and abundance — themes that feel especially important right now. This residency is an invitation to gather, listen, heal and celebrate Haitian traditions in a way that feels alive, intimate and rooted in community.”

The residency marks a step forward for Atelier Artist, founded by Haitian-American creatives Jonathan Pierre Lafleur, Franck Henry Godefroy and MC Alexander Ciceron. The space, at 495 Flatbush Ave., operates as a hybrid hub for exhibitions, performances and artist development, with a focus on community access and cultural storytelling.

May events include: 

Friday, May 8 — Intimate Concert x Riva

A close-knit Kouzen Zaka–themed performance: where music, storytelling, and spirit meet through soulful vocals and stripped-down arrangements honoring land, gratitude, and ancestral connection.

Sunday, May 10 — Singing Bowl Sound Bath with Riva Précil

A restorative sound meditation rooted in spirituality and inspired by Haitian Vodou traditions. Through singing bowls, voice, and intentional silence, Précil creates a sacred sonic space for grounding, reflection, and energetic alignment.

Thursday, May 16 — FÈY: Traditional Haitian Herbal Tea Evening

A tea gathering celebrating Haitian healing traditions. Guests will learn about traditional herbal teas used for digestion, immunity, relaxation, and wellness, with tastings, cultural discussion, and vendors offering teas and wellness products.

Friday, May 24 — Fèt Kouzen Celebration

Following Haitian Flag Day earlier in the week, Fèt Kouzen closes the residency with a celebration of harvest, abundance, and prosperity rooted in Haitian Vodou tradition.

The event will feature local vendors, live music, dance performances, a DJ, photo booth, and a special altar honoring the spirit of harvest, business, and abundance.