Artists David Thebaud (left) and Myke Joseph Surpris (right) visit Canvas Studio Art in Rumson on October 3, for the opening of an exhibit dedicated to the art school they co-founded in Haiti.
It has been more than four years since a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck and devastated the Caribbean country of Haiti and left thousands of people dead, injured and homeless. Since that time, a group of talented and committed Haitian artists, through a cooperative called ELT Art School, have been providing art classes and hot lunches to more than 60 children who survived the trauma of that event.
On Friday, October 3 from 3-6 pm, Canvas Studio Art at 126 East River Road in Rumson will host an opening reception for two of the founders of the ELT Art School, artists Myke Joseph Surpris and David Thebaud. To raise funds for the school, Surpris and Thebaud will be exhibiting and selling about 50 pieces of Haitian artwork made by them and other artists in the cooperative. Smaller pieces created by children from the ELT Art School will also be on display. The public is invited to attend the opening reception, meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments.
Christine Berg, a French teacher at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, was instrumental in bringing Surpris and Thebaud to the Rumson area. Dating back before the 2010 earthquake, Berg has had a relationship with the ELT Art School through the Haitian People’s Support Project. Berg thought it would be a great opportunity for the French and art students at RFH to meet Surpris and Thebaud, to learn about life in Haiti and what inspires the artists to create their beautiful artwork.
The artwork will be exhibited on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 from 12 to 4 pm. The work will also be displayed weekdays, 3 to 7 pm, from October 6 to October 9. All proceeds from the sale of the artwork will go the Haitian People’s Support Project to support the school. For more information about this event, as well as Canvas classes and camps, visit the website or call (732)383-7927.
