“I think we all wear some kind of mask. There are masks that shield us from others, but there are masks that embolden us, and you see that in carnival. The shiest child puts on a mask and can do anything and be anybody.”
— Edwidge Danticat, quoted from the book “After the Dance: A Walk Through Jacmel Carnival”
Opening February 12, 2026, Haiti Cultural Exchange, Vizyon Atistik is pleased to present JAKMÈL | The Unveiling of Kanaval. An exhibition exploring the historical, artistic, and cultural significance of Jacmel’s Carnival in Haiti.
Curated by HCX fellow Yvena Despagne and Executive Director Régine M. Roumain, this exhibition examines Carnival as a vital form of cultural expression and underscores the importance of its history for members of the Haitian diaspora and broader global audiences. Through visual art, mixed media, and cultural storytelling, the exhibition highlights why Jacmel’s Carnival is not only a cornerstone of Haitian cultural identity, but an essential history for the Haitian diaspora to learn, preserve, and pass on.
Renowned worldwide for its elaborate papier-mâché masks, political satire, and community driven artistry, JAKMÈL | The Unveiling of Kanaval is more than a celebration, it is a living archive of survival stories, memory, and self-expression. Born from Haiti’s revolutionary past and shaped by generations of local artisans, the carnival has long served as a platform for social commentary, collective healing, and cultural pride.
On view from February 12 through March 29
Haiti Cultural Exchange
35 Lafayette Ave. Brooklyn, NY
An opening reception, panel discussion, and community workshop will further explore the cultural importance of Jacmel Carnival and its relevance for today’s global Haitian community.
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About The Exhibition
JAKMÈL | The Unveiling of Kanaval tells the story of a people who have always used art as a language of survival and freedom. Migration, displacement, and generational distance have often disrupted the transmission of traditions like Carnival. This exhibition is about honoring that legacy and ensuring it remains visible, especially for those in the diaspora who may feel disconnected from Haiti’s cultural history.
Through paintings, sculptural works, archival materials, and contemporary interpretations, this exhibition bridges past and present, showing how Jacmel’s Carnival continues to influence global art, and political expression while remaining deeply grounded in local community traditions. For the Haitian diaspora, the exhibition emphasizes the urgency of cultural preservation and reclamation. By engaging with Jacmel’s artistic practices and historical narratives, the exhibition encourages diasporic audiences to reconnect with their roots and recognize Carnival as a powerful symbol of identity, and continuity of Haitian culture.
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Featured Artists
Steven Baboun | Tania L. Balan-Gaubert | Bacheler Jean-Pierre | Charles Jean-Pierre | Lori Martineau | Christina Rateau | Kedler St. Hilaire
With sculpture works provided by the Tequila Minsky Private Collection