My heart goes out to the Haitian community. The earthquake that hit their homeland was devastating news, and I encourage individuals who can provide support to do so in any way possible. Before seeing the horrific stories on television and the Internet, my image of Haiti has always been through its vibrant art forms. During my few trips to the Dominican Republic, I visited local markets that sold paintings produced by Haitian immigrants and fell in love with their unique style. When I look at the Haitian painting that now hangs in my office, I am reminded of the people’s beauty and strength and know good will come from this catastrophic event.

As we learn more about the situation in the upcoming days, I want you to have the following Haitian paintings in your mind so you can also visualize and hope for a stronger nation. To learn more about Haitian artwork and local exhibits across the United States, visit the Haitian Art Society website.