MILAGROS PEREYRA-ROJAS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LATIN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER | PHOTO BY SONE EKUKOLE-SONE

News about Haiti and its people is often dominated by devastating natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes, government turmoil, and lately, ridiculous conspiracy theories that have become a topic in the U.S. Presidential election.

To help change the narrative about this Caribbean country, the Latin American Cultural Center in Oakland is displaying a new special exhibit: “Haiti: Culture, Religion, and Revolution,” which opened Sept. 17.

The exhibit features paintings, sequin flags, sculptures and other art forms that highlight the talents of 60 historical and contemporary Haitian artists. Many of the 90 pieces in the exhibit have been collected over decades by Haiti Friends, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit formed to provide support and improve Haiti’s health, economic, ecological and cultural conditions, as well from the Rawson Family Collection.

“The whole objective of this exhibit is to give the Haitian people a voice. I think that is a really important aspect of this exhibit. We want to honor and respect Haitian culture,” says Haiti Friends Executive Director Edward Rawson.

LATIN AMERICAN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS | PHOTO BY SONE EKUKOLE-SONE

The staff of the Cultural Center has worked with Haiti Friends to present these important artistic works in a larger cultural context. Some of these themes are the Haitian slave revolt against their French Colonial masters, the continuing struggle of Haiti to maintain an independent Black Republic, the nation’s struggles with earthquakes and hurricanes, and the importance of the misunderstood practice of Vodou — a traditional Afro-Haitian religion — in the daily life of the country.

A HAITIAN SHRINE | PHOTO BY SONE EKUKOLE-SONE

The Latin American Cultural Center is one of Pittsburgh’s newest cultural amenities. It opened in September 2022 to celebrate Latin American and Caribbean culture through compelling physical and cyber exhibits dedicated to sharing and fostering a heightened understanding and appreciation for Latin American arts, history and culture.

The building was purchased in 2019, but due to the pandemic, didn’t open to the public until 2022.

The nonprofit was founded and is supported by the Latin American Studies Association, which is located inside the center. The center also receives funding from grants, endowments and donations.

“Our mission is to promote interest and study in Latin American culture and to promote the richness of the culture because just like Haiti, the media doesn’t present an accurate depiction of Latin America,” says Manuel Roman-Lacayo, the deputy director for operations for the Latin American Studies Association.

The Latin American Cultural Center also will be holding two film series this fall. The first is a four-event series based on the Latin American Studies Association’s Congress Film Festival, and the second is Haiti-focused and run in collaboration with Haiti Friends. The first will screen one film per month starting on Sept. 29 and the second will begin Oct. 10.

“Haiti: Culture, Religion, and Revolution” runs through June 28, 2025. The Latin American Cultural Center is located at 4338 Bigelow Blvd., Oakland. The center is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday by appointment.