ARISE | CMCArts | Diaspora

ARISE is a beautiful call to action and the culminating exhibition of the CMCArts (Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts) five week after-school theater and arts program for teens, YOU: The Promise of the Diaspora under the instruction of Chloe Duplessis, Artist-in-Residence and Sayeeda Carter.

ARISE is a stirring collection of 30 works of art, photography and collage honoring the collective connection to the history, culture and extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora created though the unique perspective of teenagers living in the United States territory of St. Croix.

The exhibition opens to the public on Saturday, February 12th at 1 pm along with a live theater performance by the teens. The exhibition runs until February 26.

This program and exhibition was made possible by St. Croix Foundation's CARE Grant.

MAN WITH HORSE

Zyah Rogers is a gamer, a brother, a son, and a 7th grade student at Pearl B. Larsen. Rogers is an excellent gamer and sometimes creates games on a website called Roblox, which is one of his favorites. Rogers and his friends play on Roblox all the time. When Rogers does not feel like watching YouTube or playing Roblox he will sketch great images. A fun game of basketball can also interest Rogers and since he is naturally funny maybe he can be convinced to do some more acting.

YOUR OWN PATH

Ani Velez is a soulful 12-year-old young lady. Velez creates songs, poetry, drawings, and stories about emotional and mental breakdowns and the learning process of understanding our emotions. She does this to not only speak of her deepest beliefs and feelings, but also to share a deeper view of life - past and present. She is here to support younger people just like herself. Velez is a 7th grader and attends John H. Woodson Junior High School.
Taitu Velez is a smart, artistic, curious, and unique 11 year old, who attends Ricardo Richards Elementary School. She creates art. She wants people to know, “They are all important and they matter.” Velez hopes to have a positive impact on other people's lives.

WEST DUSK

Alexis J. Schrader is a Crucian artist who deals with sculpting and painting. She is a native to the island of St. Croix in the USVI. Most of Schrader’s artwork is based on Crucian culture or fictional characters. Her work has been featured in the CHANT Art Gallery in Frederiksted and she has sold her paintings at the Agriculture Fair in 2019. Schrader is inspired by cartoon characters and other artists. She is dedicated to creating and learning different art forms and styles. Schrader is 14 and attends St. Joseph Catholic High School.

GREEN FIELDS

Jahsendi Simmonds is a media influencer and a senior homeschooler. He has never been taught in a traditional school. He is also an inspired digital artist and wildlife conservationist. Simmonds creates YouTube videos to entertain others in the world of gaming. One video at a time, he hopes to bring people together for the better. Creating allows him to express himself in ways he couldn’t otherwise. The wilderness has always been his home, and nature is a part of who he is.

THE QUIET LIFE OF THE FARMER

Tinyra Khalil is a 17 year old senior that attends St.Croix Educational Complex and she is the oldest of five children. She has created poetry, imagery, and songs. Khalil gets inspired by anything and everything, good and bad, if it tells a story, she gains inspiration. Her parents and friends are what keep her going. Nature is her muse. Khalil creates to show that anything can be beautiful, and to express herself.

THE TREE THAT NEVER FALLS

POP ART

Karl Bess is an artist who loves to draw, and has been drawing for 4 years. He is 14 years old and in the 9th grade at St. Croix Educational Complex. Drawing has always been a source of relaxation for him. As a young boy, Bess remembers watching his brother and uncle draw, and he's been hooked ever since. Bess loves to draw so much that he volunteers at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts.

EXOTIC NATURE Karl Bess

THE WAVING SEVEN

Che’ Amor Vasquez is a 16 year old student who has interests across many forms of art. Whether it’s singing, poetry, Writing, Drawing or Photography. She finds her passion in art in sense of expression her projects give her. She has been in multiple programs showcasing her talents. She is a attendee of the St. Croix Educational Complex and an avid reader.

TUNNEL OF THE SUN

THE CRAB IN THE HOLE

James Ashley is in the 8th grade at Eulalie Rivera School. He is 13 years old. His favorite hobby and thing to do is making art. Ashley is creative and amazing. Ashley creates art to give him JOY, that also gives other people joy as well. The thing that inspired him, is when he saw a cool man who created the most amazing art on a big canvas with the painting of a sunset and the ocean. Ashely enjoys artwork that pertains to the island and island life. Seeing other artists create is what inspired him to want to draw.

DOORS OF HISTORY

Lalique Joseph is 14 years old and she attends St. Croix Educational Complex. She is an artist that enjoys sketching, and is interested in realism and cartoon characters. She likes to create art because it helps when she wants to relax and be in her own world. To her it is very calming to create art. Joseph has created lots of beautiful pieces, such as a Black Lives Matter mural rendering with her twin sister that was featured at CHANT for Youth Art Month. She draws because one day she would like to sell her art and inspire others.

JUMBIE NOON

Jamira Joseph is 14 years old and attends the St.Croix Educational Complex. She creates art about things close to her heart. Drawing since she could pick up a pencil, she creates because it keeps her occupied and brings her a feeling of calmness. Joseph hopes that one day she will be able to travel all around the world and see the art of many different cultures. Most of her work consists of drawings and elements in nature. Recently, her Black Lives Matter Mural rendering that she worked on with her twin sister was featured at CHANT for Youth Art Month. Joseph creates because of her drive to make beautiful and inspiring pieces.

THE GOLDEN TUNNEL

Acacia D. Simmonds is 13 and going to be 14 in April. Simmonds was born and raised on St. Croix. She is homeschooled. Her parents are land scrapers and farmers on the beautiful island of St. Croix in the Caribbean. She draws and does digital art, mostly anime. Simmonds has created art for family and friends and credits CMCArts with improving her artistic skills. She loves actually creating and the journey of creating.

WALL OF TRUTH

Marley Cassius is a powerful, beautiful, 12 year old girl who attends John H. Woodson Junior High School . Cassius creates art through dance. Art is a way to express who she is as an artist. She wants people to know that it is okay to express your feelings through art.

MY SPIRIT FLIES HIGH

GOLDEN SANDS

WHAT DO WE HAVE NOW

Zuma Nisbett is 12 years old, born in 2009. She is an artist who loves digital drawing and an actor with over 5 years of experience. Nisbett has even appeared in the movie Passage, which was filmed on St. Croix. She has been in lots of productions with the Calico Cats program at the Caribbean Community Theater Nisbett presents work when she can in acting and art. She started a popcorn business called “What’s Poppin’?” and she is the valuable, tech savvy support for her mother’s theater company. Nisbett is a 7th grader at Pearl B. Larsen.

ANCESTORS, COME OUT

Rehanna C. Griffiths is an adolescent aspiring to be great and known for her positivity in life. Traveling, happy things and cheerful people are Rehanna’s thing. Don’t be shy just tell her hi and I’m sure once you know her you’ll get a great big smile! Griffiths creates art in life because it’s something she’s good at naturally. She is inspired by positive feedback.. Griffiths manifests a bright successful future for her and her loved ones. She is 15 years old and attends St. Croix Educational Complex.

THE GRAVEL PATH TO PARADISE

THE RIVER IS LONG

PEACEFUL WATERS OF ST. CROIX

Izabelle Tirado is a creative person that possesses extraordinary talents. She creates portrait drawings, paintings and acts. As a creative, she also enjoys learning inspirational songs and has a third artistic skill in her back pocket when needed. Tirado attends Free Will Baptist Church and is in the 8th grade. Her father is her inspiration.

HEAT

Alexander Pahlavan is 17 and is in the 11th grade. Pahlavan has been a performer for as long as he can remember. He has participated in theatrical productions, MCed multiple events, and worked behind the scenes on many productions. Through this program, Alexander has learned a great deal, and now considers himself a digital artist and avid photographer. Pahlavan is homeschooled.