Caribbean Fine Arts Fair Brings 35 Artists to Harlem for First NY Show
The longest-running art fair in the Caribbean region opens its inaugural U.S. exhibition at the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute this weekend, featuring works from 11 island nations and African countries.
By Thomas Obasi ·
For the first time, the Caribbean Fine Arts (CaFA) will exhibit outside its home region, bringing visual art, performance, and culinary culture to New York City. The three-day event runs from November 20 to 22 at the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) located at 208 East 126th Street in Harlem. Admission is free for students and anyone 16 years old or younger, while the general public will attend during specific evening and daytime windows.
CaFA was established in 2011 as the premier international art event in the Caribbean. Founder and executive director Anderson M. Pilgrim, who is from Barbados, stated that the New York gathering marks the fair's first presentation in the city. Pilgrim told Caribbean Life that the exhibition connects creatives from the Caribbean and the African Diaspora, creating a platform for over 35 participating artists, musicians, and culinary specialists.
The program includes representation from eleven Caribbean nations, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and the United States. The schedule begins on Friday, November 20, with an opening night reception from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. that features Caribbean cuisine. The fair operates from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on opening day, extends to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, and runs from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Saturday, November 21, hosts specific artist engagements. Pascal Marinier, a Paris-born Guadeloupean artist and designer, is scheduled to display and discuss his Sigi`Nommo clothing line at 2:00 p.m. This is followed at 4:00 p.m. by a spoken word performance from Barbadian artists Empress Poetry and Negus Adeyami, along with their group, Pun De Soapbox. The day concludes with an after-hours cultural celebration.
Sunday, November 22, features the New York City launch of the International Keepers of Peace program at 2:00 p.m. This initiative aims to build relationships between educators and creatives from Africa and its diaspora in the Americas and Caribbean. Barbadian performance artist Aja will also screen his new video release, Show Dem, and speak about his career motivations.
The event is organized to showcase the unique cultural intersections of the participating regions. Pilgrim noted that many participating artists will be present during the opening night reception. The fair’s website, cafafair.com, and the broader caribbean.global site provide further details on the lineup and logistics.
