Trinidad Curator Showcases African Diaspora Art

Donnamarie Baptiste, a Trinidadian arts and culture curator and creative producer, is recognized for her work shaping contemporary art within the African diaspora. Her latest project with the Miami Museum of Contemporary Art of the African Diaspora (Miami MoCAAD) is an interactive public art experience honoring the history of the International Longshoremen Association (ILA) in Overtown, Miami.

Overtown’s History and the ILA

The Overtown community, historically a settlement for Afro Caribbean and African American citizens during Miami’s segregation era, thrived despite challenging conditions. The International Longshoremen Association played a significant role in the development of the black middle and upper middle class, providing jobs and livable wages to black workers. This union offered fellowship, family, and refuge during a time of racial unrest.

Baptiste explained that the ILA enabled workers to educate their children, purchase homes, and build generational wealth. The Union Hall building and the ILA’s contributions to the fight for equity since its founding in 1936 are often overlooked. The mural serves as a tribute to ILA workers and a recognition of this important, yet often forgotten, aspect of African American history.

The Mural Project

The mural, painted by Reginald O’Neal, is located on the side of the Union Hall building owned by the predominantly black International Longshoremen Association’s local chapter 1416 in Overtown. This is the second mural in a series; the first, painted by Anthony “Mojo” Reed, honors Miami’s first black judge, Lawson Thomas, who faced restrictions in presiding over white defendants and was a civil rights leader.

Baptiste’s goal for the mural project is to ensure the community sees itself reflected in its surroundings. She hopes that both long-time residents and newcomers will gain a deeper understanding of the community’s identity and history.

Baptiste’s Background and Work

Baptiste, who grew up in Trinidad in a household with a strong artistic background—her father played the steelpan and her mother was a singer—has extensive experience in arts management, exhibitions, and events. She currently resides in Miami and provides arts and cultural management services to national and international clients across various industries. She also serves as a board member of Oolite Arts, supporting the local art community.

The Importance of Public Art

Baptiste believes that while social media has transformed art accessibility, interactive public art experiences remain essential. She notes that as the market for black art expands, the buyers often do not come from the communities where the art originates. Murals, she argues, act as an equalizer, providing access to art for those who may not be able to visit museums or galleries, inspiring individuals and fostering community pride.