Miami-Dade Commissioners present rendition of “Haitian Memorial Monument” at Deering Estate

SflcnJune 9, 2009

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MAIMI-DADE – Miami-Dade County Chairman Dennis C. Moss and Commissioner Katy Sorenson co-sponsored the unveiling of a rendition of the Haitian Memorial Monument, located in Savannah, Georgia, on Friday, May 29, 2009 at the Deering Estate at Cutler in Palmetto Bay. The painting, called Resurrection 2009, is a 60” x 72” oil on canvas by Haitian artist Carl Craig.

The event is part of festivities surrounding Haitian Cultural Heritage Month and is organized with the help of the Haitian-American Historical Society and the Unique Coalition of Minority Businesses (UCOMB) of South Florida. Other paintings by Alexandra Barbot, the Haitian-American Historical Society’s commission artist, were displayed as well.

Carl Craig was born in Haiti and later settled in the United States, where he received his associate’s degree in Liberal Arts at Miami-Dade Community College, and later his bachelor’s degree in Finance and International Business at Florida International University.

While he maintained a successful career as an international business consultant for many years, Craig began to focus his efforts to painting, photography, and music as recently as 2007. He is known for his works depicting scenes of Haiti and has had his art displayed in numerous private exhibits in Miami. Resurrection 2009 shows the monument currently on display at Franklin Square in Georgia which represents the Haitian soldiers who participated in the siege of Savannah in 1779. The original monument was sculpted by James Mastin.

“South Florida’s close ties with Haiti make Miami-Dade County the perfect location to embrace Haitian culture with the celebration of its rich and influential history here in the United States,” said Chairman Moss. “I encourage the community to view the Haitian Memorial Monument at Deering Estate.”

“I’m glad to see a diverse art collection emerging at the Deering Estate. Mr. Craig’s work, as well as the other pieces at the event, will allow residents to understand the contributions Haitians have made to our community and beyond,” said Commissioner Sorenson.

Also speaking at the event were historians Claude Charles, PhD, and Professor Jean-Claude Exulien, who discussed the facts behind the Siege of Savannah; School Superintendent from Rochester, Minnesota Romain Dallemand; and Floyd Adams, Jr., Savannah School Board member and former Mayor of Savannah.