Vassar Haiti Project Annual Art Sale & Auction
Sep 7 through Oct7
Location: Virtual event
Access the sale and live cultural events here: https://thehaitiproject.org/familiesweekend
The Vassar Haiti Project celebrates 20 years of making a difference with its traditional annual art sale & auction, this year offered through virtual platforms. Hundreds of original paintings and handcrafts made in Haiti by artists and artisans will be offered for sale or auction. All purchases are 50% tax-deductible and donations are 100% tax deductible.
Social distancing guidelines will not prevent the Vassar Haiti Project bringing to life the vibrant art and culture of Haiti during its 20th anniversary art sale and auction, held Sept. 7 - Oct. 7. As always, the event will feature colorful art and handcrafts from Haiti, as well as live virtual programs that celebrate Haitian culture over the weekend of October 2- 4.
During the period from September 7 to October 7, more than 70 original Haitian artworks will be available for auction. Bidding will take place in nominal increments over the course of the month. Our auctions provide a great opportunity for any art enthusiast looking for both great deals and some unusual and unique pieces, all of which will be featured in a website gallery open to the public.
The weekend of October 2- 4 will feature four live virtual events. Christopher Bjork, Professor of Education, Asian Studies, and International Studies at Vassar College will present opening remarks to kick off the festivities 9:00am on Friday, October 2. Meet some of our Haitian artists and gallery owners at 10:00am on Saturday, October 3. We are especially excited to bring you a special live concert and interview with the Haitian singer, NAÏKA at 7:30pm Saturday evening. A raffle and closing remarks will wrap up the weekend at 5:00pm on Sunday, October 4.
The Vassar Haiti Project celebrates twenty years of supporting education, health, environmental and women's initiatives in a rural region of northwest Haiti. Due to these unusual times, we have reimagined this vital event that normally occurs in Vassar's College Center. Student co-president of the Vassar Haiti Project Catherine Wu ’21 has been involved with the planning of this event since June. “This year’s Virtual Families Weekend is a manifestation of one of our favorite lines in our organization and a recurring mantra these days: “creating from nothing.” Despite the disappointment of not being able to hold our 20th art sale physically at Vassar, we have learned to think more creatively and flexibly planning new and exciting possibilities that will allow us to continue to support our Education initiative in Haiti.”
Co-founded by Director of International Services and Assistant Dean of Student Growth and Engagement Andrew Meade and his wife, Lila Meade, the Vassar Haiti Project is student-centered, student-driven and is a unique, award-winning experiential education in the theory and practice of global citizenship. “It is humbling to reflect on 20 years!” says Andrew Meade. “It has been a true joy and privilege to support both the unswerving commitment of our partners in Haiti to their communities, as well as the commitment of our dedicated student volunteers to grapple with the challenges and responsibilities of global citizenship.”