An exhibition exploring the cultural and artistic legacy of Haiti's Jacmel’s Carnival is now on view in Brooklyn.
JAKMÈL | The Unveiling of Kanaval is a new exhibition examining the history and significance of the famed Haitian celebration through visual art, mixed media and cultural storytelling at the Haiti Cultural Exchange.
Curated by HCX fellow Yvena Despagne and Executive Director Régine M. Roumain, the exhibition highlights Carnival in Jacmel as a powerful form of cultural expression and an important historical touchstone for the Haitian diaspora and global audiences alike. Known internationally for its elaborate papier-mâché masks, political satire and community-driven artistry, Jacmel’s Carnival has long been a defining element of Haitian cultural identity.
Featured artists include Steven Baboun, Tania L. Balan-Gaubert, Bacheler Jean-Pierre, Charles Jean-Pierre, Lori Martineau, Christina Rateau and Kedler St. Hilaire. Sculptural works are also on view from the private collection of Tequila Minsky.
Public programming connected to the exhibition includes in-person artist talks on March 7 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, an online artist talk on March 14 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, and a closing reception and performance on March 28 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
“I am excited to welcome Yvena Despagne as our HCX inaugural curatorial fellow and work alongside her to shine a bright light on the various aspects of Jacmel Carnival, a southern town of Haiti that is dear to my heart," said Roumain. "I’ve been captivated by the music, gyrating dances, food, costumes, political satire and revelry. It’s a pleasure to bring some of those traditions to Brooklyn - the heartbeat of NYC’s Haitian diaspora.”
The exhibition presents the carnival as both a celebration and a living archive, reflecting stories of survival, collective memory and creative self-expression. Rooted in Haiti’s revolutionary history and shaped by generations of artisans, the tradition has also served as a platform for social commentary, healing and cultural pride.
Through paintings, sculptural works, archival materials and contemporary interpretations, the exhibition connects past and present, illustrating how Jacmel’s Carnival continues to influence global art and political expression while remaining deeply rooted in local community traditions.
JAKMÈL | The Unveiling of Kanaval will remain on view through March 29 at Haiti Cultural Exchange, 35 Lafayette Ave. The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday from 1:00pm to 6:00pm.
