RaRa & The Women Artists of Matènwa, Haiti

11/06/2023

MY NEW WONDERLUST! PLEASE READ IT...IT'S...UH....UNUSUAL....

Early one morning in Matenwa, Haiti, two of us bearing a bottle of Barbancourt rum walked to the home of my friend Met Touman who’d invited us to participate in a Haitian country ritual.WonderLust is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free...

08/03/2023

We’ll be popping up in Oakland CA this Saturday for this sweet market. Bay Area: Come by, Come buy! Support the Women Artists of Matènwa (always but) especially in these hard times. All profits go to the Atis Fanm collective.
This farm is a treasure and we’ll be joined by so many wonderful vendors! Music! Food! Agricultural community love!
Nap tann ou.

Image of a yellow flyer announcing First Saturday Art Market with hand drawn designs.

05/29/2022

Bòn Fèt Manman!
It’s Mother’s Day in Haiti!
We give thanks for their love and labor today and every day.

Manman ak Pitit (Mother and Child) Drapo by the Atis Fanm Kolektif Drapo

03/13/2022

Honored to be a part of ‘s White Party today in Oakland California with special guest

Mèsi Anpil for the beautiful meaningful spiritual gathering of community.

Happy to be out in the sunshine beneath the sacred trees in the park.

📸 the Atis Fanm at the Sant Atizana Matènwa

01/13/2022

On this 12th anniversary of the January 12th 2010 earthquake, we remember.

These earthquake drapo pieces were made by the Atis Fanm Matènwa, honoring the living and the dead.

01/01/2022

Bòn Ane 2022!
Bòn Fèt Endepandans!
Happy New Year and Happy Haitian Independence Day!
In 1804, Haitian people changed the world by overthrowing colonial France in the height of its power, soon creating the first Black Republic. We celebrate this ancestral legacy today and every day!

12/30/2021

✨Last chance to buy our handmade ornaments in person at the ‘s pop-up in Prospect Park tonight and tomorrow til 6pm.✨

Bòn Ane 2022! 🇭🇹

💚🖤❤️ It’s Kwanzaa and is still going strong! We’re open today and tomorrow 11-6, pull up to shop your favorite Caribbean/LatinX artisans from and beyond! Swipe for vibes and a few places where we Eat/Shop/Lime‼️

📍 ’s ❄️⛸❄️

12/12/2021

You can find artwork by the Atis Fanm Matènwa in a few different locations this holiday season.

*Mendocino CA
Holiday Market, Sunday Dec 12th from 5-8pm 🍷🌿

*NYC
‘s Caribbeing House - Weds-Sun thru Dec 30th from 12-7pm at 🌴💛

*San Rafael CA
Tues-Sat 11am-4pm 🎄💎

*And online at artmatenwa.org! 15% off everything in the store until the end of the year (discount taken at checkout). 🇭🇹✨

Support small-scale, handmade, women-owned, Haitian art this and every season. ALL profits from the sale of this work goes directly to the artists. Give the gift that gives back.

📸 Artists Lucienne, Nayida, Karline and Hollanda

11/26/2021

Curious about the context for Haitian migration beyond the news cycle? We want to share this important teach-in resource hosted by organized by and featuring Gabrielle Apollon of CHR&GJ NYU, of and of

The full talk is available at: youtu.be/LGmBPpMZBmQ

This important information explores the reasons for migration, the arduous routes taken by Haitian migrants, the journey’s realities and the underlying forces behind Haiti’s current state of political disrepair. There’s so much to be said and we’re thankful for this discussion. If you’re looking for reputable information, we recommend these panelists and their organizations. If you’re looking to donate, the panelists recommended and Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees.

These realities deeply impact the artists and their surrounding communities. We appreciate your continuing support.

Photos from slide presentation given by Gabrielle Apollon, participants pictured in final slide.

10/17/2021

Friends of Matènwa, the non-profit that supports the AMAZING Matènwa Community Learning Center is SO CLOSE to winning $150,000 toward local community food security projects!
Please take a few minutes to visit the link in our bio and vote for Friends of Matènwa. These funds would make a huge long term impact.
Link here and in profile:
http://investortank.org/vote

09/07/2021

Thinking of Estelya, Matènwa market woman and mother of Matènwa artist Belly Joseph (maker of our hand-printed cards). Estelya passed on yesterday morning. Her strong presence and business prowess will be greatly missed in this community. She always had anything you could need. 🕯

07/09/2021

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us in the past two days. We want you to know that the Atis Fanm Matènwa and their families are safe. In the coming months, we recommit to supporting and protecting our communities.
As said best by “We stand in solidarity with the Haitian people in their continued quest for peace, justice and freedom.”