Located inside the Broward Mall in South Florida, the Island Space Caribbean Museum is the first and only brick and mortar pan-Caribbean heritage museum in the USA. This one-of-a-kind Caribbean-centric museum features an archive and exhibition space that holds artifacts, cultural relics and historical data representative of South Florida’s Caribbean population. What’s more, the museum has information on indigenous Taino people, the 2010 earthquake, plantation life, and governmental entities.

Founded a little over three years ago in October 2020 by Calibe Thompson (who is the Island SPACE Board President) along with former President, David Muir, the museum is a non-profit organization whose mission is to not only advance, but also to promote the arts, culture and history of the Caribbean. In that spirit, a variety of educational initiatives are conducted throughout the year, which are representative of Florida and the wider  Caribbean diaspora.

“Art Week Comes to Plantation” – Island Space Caribbean Museum

This year’s Art Week Comes to Plantation event series showcased a number of activities at the Island Space Caribbean Museum, including:  the Opening Reception (Thursday, December 7th); Performance Showcase & Mixer (Friday, December 8th); Family Friendly Crafts and Paint & Sip (Saturday, December 9th); and Brunch & Fashion Show (Sunday, December 10th).

Opening Reception

Kicking off Art Week Comes to Plantation 2023, was an opening reception inside the Island Space Caribbean Museum.  The attendees enjoyed a chill and intimate atmosphere, while indulging in wine, and light refreshment.  What’s more, there was a meet and greet segment which allowed attendees to  learn about the artists whose works were on display throughout the museum.  Artists featured included the highly acclaimed Karl “Jerry” Craig, David Muir of Jamaica, Jik Rueben of Jamaica, Sonya Sanchez Arias of Trinidad and Tobago, Suhame of Cuba, and others.

Performance Showcase & Mixer

Brunch & Fashion Show

Attendees enjoyed an afternoon brunch buffet that also featured a fashion show and live performers, with an active runway of models donning vibrant Caribbean clothing and accessories from designers who were on hand to give insights into their wonderful creations.

This 2023 Art Week Comes to Plantation event series was presented in partnership with Broward Mall and the Plantation Chamber of Commerce.  Other supporters included, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Broward County Cultural Division, “King” George Jograj, Dr. Lydia Malcom of Authentic Behavioral Health LLC, and her husband, Mr. Waynewright Malcolm.

Miami Art Week 2023 Opa Locka – Africa Global – Contemporary Art From Africa and the African Diaspora 

Presented by the Ten North Group, the Art of Transformation:  Africa Global also took place during Art Basel Miami Beach 2023 and Miami Art Week 2023.  The exhibitions and programs served to explore issues in African and African Diaspora contemporary art, while also convening artists of African descent from around the world to Miami to partake in a creative series of art exhibitions.  Opa-locka, Florida (which is in the City of Miami) offered five exhibitions, including works from Puerto Rican artists, a sculpture pavilion, and works from Ten North Group’s extensive collection of art from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Diaspora.

Photo – Nick Ford