Art for Haiti at CANVAS Art Studio in Rumson

It has been more than four years since the 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 3rd, 2014 from 3-6 pm, Canvas Studio Art (CANVAS) 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 High School (RFH), was instrumental in bringing Surpris and Thebaud to the Rumson area. Since before 2010, Berg has had a relationship with the ELT Art School through the Haitian People’s Support Project (haitiansupportproject.org). 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.

Berg asked Beth Sillen, co-owner of CANVAS, if CANVAS could help with an exhibition and sale of the artists’ works. Sillen eagerly agreed. “I am proud that CANVAS is supporting this art school in Haiti. Not only do we believe in arts education for all children but I know the ELT Art School is doing so much more than just giving the children instruction in visual arts. They are providing food and clean water and teaching the children about the artisanal trades. We are excited that the artists are coming to CANVAS to share their stories and artwork with the community.”

The artwork will be exhibited on Saturday, October 4th and Sunday, October 5th from 12 to 4 pm. The work will also be displayed weekdays, from 3 to 7 pm, from October 6th to October 9th . All proceeds from the sale of the artwork will go the Haitian People’s Support Project to support the school.

CANVAS, located at 126 East River Road in Rumson, is an art studio established by artists for artists. Still enrolling for the fall session, CANVAS offers classes and workshops for children ages 4 and older, for teens and for adults. For more information about CANVAS classes and camps, contact 732-383-7927 or visit canvasstudioart.com.