International Communications Association Inc. and Diaspora Now Inc., in association with the Permanent Mission of Barbados to the United Nations, announced the launch of “Artists for Action: Climate Change Awareness in the Americas“ at the Dwyer Cultural Center in Harlem at 309 W. 123rd Street between Frederick Douglas Blvd. & St. Nicholas Avenue.
The exhibition, featuring paintings, photographs, prints, and videos by 12 Caribbean and Diaspora artists, will highlight efforts to maintain and restore our fragile ecosystems, especially our sea/ocean, which sustains the Caribbean region’s tourism and dietary needs. The exhibition will run until Jan. 31, 2026.
The installation, curated by Anderson M. Pilgrim of Barbados and New York City, opened with a reception on Dec. 12.
Pilgrim explained that the “protection of our coastal regions/areas is crucial to the future of our populations’ ability to enjoy their environment. The increasing instances of sargassum seaweed choking our beaches has created an opportunity for creative recycling of this seaweed for practical use.”
“Food security is under threat because of changing weather cycles and more intense storm/hurricane activity. Regional agronomists have been studying these issues diligently as they provide advice to regional leaders, to assist with future planning to adequately feed their citizens and protect valuable infrastructure at or below sea level. Whether these phenomena occur on a small Caribbean Island, or US states such as California, Florida, New York, or North Carolina, climate change has seriously affected our current lives and plans to adapt to our changing planet,” said the statement.
Visual artists Barbara Russell, Bernard S. Hoyes, Carlos Santiago, Charles Jean Pierre, Cher Antoinette, Chris Cumberbatch, Diogenes Ballester, Elodie Cage Smith, Maxanne Rock, Pauline Marcelle, Tau Battice, and Vidho Lorville — who represent Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — explore these vital issues from their own unique perspectives, bearing in mind that many of them are based in the USA.
Mr. Francois Jackman, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Barbados to the UN, welcomed art lovers and returned for a panel on the subject, “Climate Change Awareness in the Americas – Small States in the Lead.”
Special thanks went out to the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., the Consulate General of Barbados at New York, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, the Manhattan Borough President’s Office, and Occhi Arts & Entertainment for their support.
