About this Event
You are warmly invited to join us in celebrating Haitian Heritage and Cultural Awareness Month, a collaborative initiative presented by the Haitian American Art Network, Inc., and Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs.
This special celebration will feature renowned Haitian artist Jean Bernard Thomas, alongside guest artists Jean Debreus and Marjory Sheba, bringing to life the richness of Haitian culture through art, music, and storytelling.
This is a time to honor the rich history, vibrant traditions, and enduring spirit of Haiti and its people. Throughout this special occasion, we will recognize the profound contributions of Haitian culture through artistic expression.
The exhibition will be on display from Wednesday, May 13, 2026, through June 16, 2026, at the Orange County Multicultural Center. We invite you to visit, experience, and celebrate Haitian Heritage Cultural Awareness Month as it continues into Caribbean Heritage Month.
For more information please contact the Haitian American Art Network, Inc. at 321-240-9812 or [email protected].
We look forward to celebrating with you!
WHERE:
The Multicultural Gallery
Orange County Multicultural Center
7149 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32818
Admission is free, but advance registration is requested. Thank you.
Doors open at 4:30pm, program begins at 5:15 and ends at 6pm.
Jean Bernard Thomas
(b. February 16, 1982, Jacmel, Haiti)
Jean Bernard Thomas is a Haitian-born painter whose work explores the relationship between humanity and the natural world through still life, abstract, and surrealist visual languages. Born in the historic coastal city of Jacmel, Haiti—long recognized as a center of Haitian artistic innovation—Thomas developed an early fascination with drawing and visual storytelling. His artistic practice reflects both the cultural richness of Haiti and a broader exploration of universal themes such as harmony, resilience, and the spiritual connection between humans and nature.
Thomas pursued his artistic training in Port-au-Prince, where he studied under respected Haitian artists and mentors including Saint-Fart and Jeff Joseph. During this formative period, he refined his technical approach to drawing and painting while immersing himself in the traditions of Haitian visual art. He was also influenced by contemporary Haitian artists such as Lesly Exumé and Nouche Françoise, whose experimentation with form, color, and symbolic imagery helped shape Thomas’s evolving artistic vision.
Working primarily with pencil and paint, Thomas developed distinctive techniques that combine careful observation with imaginative interpretation. His compositions often blend representational elements with abstract forms, producing layered images that evoke emotional and philosophical reflections. Through still life and surrealist arrangements, he seeks to capture the quiet dialogue between objects, landscapes, and the human spirit. His work frequently highlights balance and interconnectedness, inviting viewers to contemplate the fragile yet enduring relationship between humanity and the environment.
In 2008, Thomas founded Atelye Ayiti Thomas, his studio and creative workshop dedicated to artistic production, mentorship, and cultural exchange. Through this initiative, he has organized and taught numerous workshops for emerging artists, helping to nurture new creative voices and promote Haitian visual arts. The studio has served not only as a space for his own artistic exploration but also as a collaborative environment where ideas, techniques, and cultural traditions are shared.
Throughout his career, Thomas has participated in exhibitions and collaborative artistic projects both in Haiti and abroad. He has worked alongside artists and cultural figures such as Carel Blain and Patrick Chauvin, engaging in creative dialogues that expand the reach and visibility of contemporary Haitian art. His paintings and drawings are primarily held in private collections, reflecting a growing appreciation among collectors for his distinctive style and thematic depth.
Jean Bernard Thomas currently maintains a partnership with the Haitian American Art Network, Inc. (HAAN) as one of its Co-Artistic Directors, helping to cultivate and promote the richness of Haitian culture through music and visual art. Now based in Florida, Thomas remains actively engaged in producing new work while maintaining strong ties to the Haitian artistic community.
His recent activities include participating in the 2025 live painting event, “Art and Purpose Florida,” in Orlando, where he created artwork before a live audience and contributed to a broader celebration of art as a powerful vehicle for social reflection and cultural connection.
Through his evolving body of work, Jean Bernard Thomas continues to explore the expressive possibilities of painting and drawing while honoring the cultural heritage that shapes his artistic identity. His practice stands as a testament to the enduring vitality of Haitian art and its ability to inspire and engage audiences across borders and generations.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Orange County Multi-Cultural Center, 7149 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, United States
USD 0.00
