Disconnect to Connect

Today I experienced something very inspiring and exhilarating. The world renowned Haitian painter, sculptor and overall artist Wilfrid Daleus has an art gallery located in Little Haiti (a community and neighborhood in Miami, Florida). I found it accidentaly about a month ago, while on a jitney. The driver stopped to let passengers get on and off of the bus and something told me to turn around. When I did, I saw a little shop that said “…Art Gallery.” I immediately tried to take a picture on my phone, but luck was not on my side and the driver sped off. Although I did not get to catch the name, I was excited to see an art gallery in the heart of Little Haiti! I figured that it had to be Haitian-owned and filled with Haitian art, so I told myself I would visit it soon.

About a week later, I passed by with a couple of my friends; unfortunately, though, it was closed. A few days after that, I decided to try agian. I was by myself this time, so I took a jitney. When I got there, I was welcomed by the owner and as my eyes caught glimpses of all of the artwork on the wall, I began “ooh-ing” and “ahh-ing.” I looked around for a bit before asking him anything and I was amazed by everything I saw. I then began asking him questions, the first being if all of the pieces were done by him. He answered “well yes, this is my art gallery” and we chuckled. I then began to ask him ‘real questions’ and I learned many things including his history and some of his celebrity clientele. I also learned that he made history several times, not only as a Haitian artist, but as a Black/African artist in general. I was in awe of the place but mostly in awe of him. At some point, I pulled my cellphone out to text one of the friends who was with me the first time I tried to visit. The artist, Wilfrid Daleus, noticed me and said “no, do no take any pictures.” I told him that I was not taking any pictures and that I was texting a friend but, out of respect for him, I still put my phone away. From time to time, I pulled it out to send my friend information about the gallery, but I stood in the middle of the gallery where there was no artwork, because I did not want Daleus to think I was sneaking pictures. I stayed there for about 30 minutes, admiring him and his artistry and asking myself how was it that I had never heard of Daleus or a Haitian art gallery, period. I enjoyed my time there and before I left, I promised him that I would be back. Today was the day that I made good on my promise.

I was with the friend I was texting the first time I visit the art gallery, when I went today and I can speak for the both of us when I say that neither of us expected what we experienced. When we walked in, Daleus was painting one of his handmade artifacts. Unlike the last time when he was alone, this time there was another Haitian man who sat near him, singing and playing an acoustic guitar. It was the perfect Snapchat moment. My friend asked me if she could take a picture of them, because she remembered that I told her that no picture-taking was allowed. I told her that I did not know, and we figured that it would be best to stay on the proverbial ‘safe side.’ The man on the guitar, who later told us that his name is Maurel, was very skilled at both playing and singing. The tone of his voice was so beautiful, that it was gentle when he sang softly and powerful when he projected. He even made different sounds with his mouth — he took turns between sounding like a pair of maracas to clicking in a way that made him sound like bongo and conga drums. My friend and I looked at one another and said “Oh my gosh! This is such a Snapchat moment.” Maurel sang songs like “Guantanamera” and “La Bamba” and as he sang, Daleus, my friend and I all joined him — all, while Daleus continued to paint. Before we knew it, we did not care about capturing the moment anymore, because we were too busy enjoying the moment.

We continued to walk around the gallery and after a few minutes we began conversing with Maurel. I asked him what styles of music he played and he told me that he was versatile and he played many genres including Chansonette Françaisse and Twoubadou. He even began singing songs of those genres to prove it! We were enamored by his talent and I really appreciated his skills. Just like my first visit, we stayed for aobut 30 minutes and we promised that we would return.

When we got to my friend’s car, I mentioned that I love how once we got over not being able to show the world what cool things we were claiming to witness, we began to pay attention and enjoy the things we were witnessing. I’m sure that Daleus’s “no pictures” rule exists for the sake of protecting his work, but it really serves as a blessing to the viewers. Sometimes you have to disconnect from one thing to really be able to connect to something greater.

God Bless You!