Haiti's Back Porch
Find us in Connecticut and Online!
http://sites.google.com/site/haitisbackporch/
The unique arts and crafts for sale at our non-profit shop in Middletown, Connecticut, are now available at our eBay store!
Haiti's Back Porch, at 100 Riverview Center in Middletown, offers a fine selection of art, crafts, clothing, and specialty foods from Haiti. We purchase directly from Haitian artisans and artisan collectives to bring the finest items to American buyers. Please call 860.344.9547 to confirm hours. Click here to get directions.
We are excited about the support that sales provide for our work in Haiti and the awareness raised by these "ambassadors from Haiti"--the crafts themselves. Both volunteers and staff are eager to share their knowledge of Haiti to all who call or drop by the shop.
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Beauty and Bounty These bowls are hand made by Einstein Albert, one of the premier wood craftsmen of Haiti. (At left) Bowls are carved and ready to be treated. (Immediately below) Bowls of varying size and shape are dyed and drying. (Below) Einstein Albert's workshop is located in Mariani, on the eastern edge of Port-au-Prince, where he employs several apprentices. |
The Marvelous Art of Haiti
Visitors to our Norwich Mission House in Port-au-Prince sometimes have the opportunty to see artisans at work. When times allows, travelers can also visit art galleries in Petionville, and several artisans come to the mission house to display and sell their goods.
Jean Roumaire Fleuisme makes chairs of all sizes, from the miniatures shown here to standard chairs for adults. He sells them in the markets and comes to Norwich Mission House.
Pascale Monnin, whose family owns the renowned Monnin Gallery in Petionville, is often there. The art gallery is one of the oldest in the city. Pascale, an artist in her own right, has had shows of her work around the world. Haiti's Back Porch buys paintings from the gallery to sell at the Middletown shop and/or online.
Joseph Sandari is one of many wood carvers. He uses mahogany to make large, lidded jars and beautiful trays. Joseph also comes to Norwich Mission House for visitors to see and purchase his woodwork.
Jacques Rony is among the dozens of metal artists who sell their crafts at tiny workshops in Croix des Boquets, just outside Port-au-Prince. The metal pieces of these artists vary in size and in the images they depict. Haiti's Back Porch carries many metal pieces from a number of artists. These works of art are truly extraordinary!
Johnny Louis carves objects from "river stone," a common rock found in the rivers and streams of Haiti.
Other Crafts and Artists
We work with artisans of all types and have greatly diversified the inventory at Haiti's Back Porch and online. Along with goods made of wood, metal and river stone, we have:
Paintings - We carry a wide selection of styles and techniques, from the naive/primitive to the impressionistic and abstract. The canvases from well-known Haitian artists include: Ossey Dubic; Andre Blaise; Levoy Exil; Hilome Joseph; Bruno Chrysler; Jean Louis Senatus; and Dieudonne Cedor. (Haiti's Back Porch will gladly try to find work of artists of your choice. Just contact the shop at: 860. 344.9547 and leave a message for Patty Kantrowitz. Or contact our main office.)
Cotton Nightgowns - These gowns come in white with hand-embroidered yokes, which range in color. The simple beauty of these garments is wonderful.
Cow Horn - Items made from cow horn include earrings, bracelets and small trays. Also, craftspeople laminate woodwork with cow horn to make one-of-a-kind forks, spoons and other tableware.
Jewelry - Jewelry is made of black coral, wood, coconut shell, and beads. Haiti's Back Porch sells earrings, bracelets and necklaces.
Hand-beaded purses, pocketbooks and "Rara" clutches - These items--new to the store--highlight the imaginative way in which Haitians can make amazing goods from the ordinary, the overlooked, and the discarded.
Banana-bark cards - These small, charming cards depict a variety of scenes and subjects. The raised bark surfaces truly make them special. The shop also offers wonderful cards made from photographs by Patty Kantrowitz, the shop manager.
Books about Haiti - The shop carries a wide variety of books, both non-fiction and fiction. We have gorgeous coffee-table photography books and books for learning Creole. History books are for sale, too. Haiti's Back Porch holds book-signings from time to time.
Religious items - The shop carries Nativities of all sizes, made from all sorts of material. Some are carved from wood. Others, made from stone, are tiny enough to fit into coconut shells.
Coffee, spicy peanut butter, vanilla and almond extracts - All these fair-trade items are distinctly Haitian in flavor. Try them! We think you'll love the taste!