SOCIETY OF CARIBBEAN ARTISTS - SOCA

SOCA is a visual arts organization based in St.Croix, US Virgin Islands at Fort Frederik Museum, Frederiksted St.Croix.
SOCA founders are well known professional artists who formed a core team spearheading the effort to build a successful visual arts organization in the USVI. See artists biographical information.

FOUNDER | PRESS RELEASE | CONTACT | OPEN HOUSE FRI. JAN. 25!

MISSION

To foster and promote the artistic expressions of the Caribbean visual artist and Caribbean aesthetics.
To provide awareness, information and education in the US Virgin Islands on the state of Caribbean art worldwide.
To cultivate a high sense of consciousness, integrity and intention in the practice of art in the US Virgin Islands.
To stimulate critical dialogue toward a greater Virgin Islands' participation in the shaping of Caribbean aesthetics.
To collaborate in a consortium effort within the Caribbean at large and the African Diaspora on issues surrounding Caribbean art.
To create and maintain a repository of knowledge on Caribbean Aesthetics.

MEMBERSHIP

Fee-based membership application process is open to any artist, art enthusiast, educator, individual or organization concerned with or interested in participating in the development and advancement of Caribbean art. (Four types of membership: Adult, Family, Organization and Youth)

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Access to artwork and information posted on SOCA website database
Discount to SOCA events would include exhibitions, symposia, colloquiums, workshops, and lectures.
Participation in exhibitions, books, booklets in accordance with SOCA criteria and guidelines
Receive SOCA e-newsletter
An opportunity to interact and network with other artists, educators and individuals involved with Caribbean art

PROCESS FOR INCLUSION IN EXHIBITIONS AND DATABASE

Submit an application form and a portfolio for review
Submit a brief biography, a listing of schools attended or training (if applicable) and a resume of professional career
A review and approval process with a recommendation by three active members

CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION IN EXHIBITIONS AND DATABASE

Work be of highest artistic and professional standards
Statement of artist placing works submitted for display within the framework of Caribbean art or Caribbean aesthetics
All of the above subject to review and approval of board members

Caribbean Art/Resource Center Website Categories: Artists, Art Collections, Museums, Commercial galleries, Conferences, Exhibitions, Libraries, Books, Organizations, Events, Affiliations, Magazines, E-Commerce-On line Gallery

Our web presence is under development.

Info on artists' images

Artist#1:
Artwork by:
Title:
Medium:
Founder/Artistic Director Maud Pierre-Charles
Untitled
Acrylic

Biographical Information:
Originally from Haiti, Maud Pierre-Charles is a Cum Laude graduate of Pratt Institute, New York. She started her career as a commercial illustrator before returning home to the Caribbean in 1982 to develop a Caribbean aesthetic, giving a pictorial voice to what she sees as a Caribbean manner –a way of fusing diverse cultural ingredients. That aesthetic is based totally on drawing as a mark-making process, retaining a drawing vocabulary even when painting. Her artwork has been exhibited in the Caribbean, the US and South America, and is featured in numerous prestigious collections and adorn many educational and literary publications. She is a regular contributor to The Caribbean Writer, and writings from her art journals appear in the anthology Other Times, Other Cultures.

Artist#2:
Artwork by:
Title:
Medium:
Founder/Communications Director Roy Lawaetz
"Flower of the Diaspora"
Acrylic

Biographical Information:
Born in St. Croix, USVI, Roy Lawaetz, is critically acclaimed worldwide, internationally exhibited artist, who has systematically underpinned his innovative style with his theoretical writings worldwide. His Modular Triangular System book published in 2000 presented prototype revelation from the periphery within the Caribbean's cultural artifacts and societal base. By utilizing triangles in combination, in daring and unpredictable syntax, he has developed a unique vocabulary of support formats for painting that has guaranteed him a niche on the international scene. He is the recipient of many art scholarships, awards and distinctions.

Artist#3:
Artwork by:
Title:
Medium:
Founder/Design Director Nii Ahene' La Mettle-Nunoo
"Alkeulan"
Mixed Media

Biographical Information:
A Virgin Islander, born in Ghana. Nii Ahene is an artist/poet, Industrial designer, and a cultural anthropologist. He has been honored by art organizations worldwide. The International Biographical Center in UK nominated him as one of a handful, to be awarded the "21st Century Award for Achievement " in recognition of his "Outstanding Contribution" to the arts. Nii Ahene is recognized as a contributor to the Black Art Movement of the Sixties and half of the Seventies, is a member of the renowned international art group the Weusi from Harlem, NY

Norma Krieger
Founder and Director

Born in St. Croix, USVI, Norma Krieger is a curator, art administrator and art educator with extensive knowledge in the visual arts, advertising, marketing and photography. Her professional experience is diverse and accomplished having taught in museums, academic institutions, and managed worldwide assignments at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising. NY. Krieger is a graduate of Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, N.Y.

SOCIETY OF CARIBBEAN ARTISTS Invites you to our
OPEN HOUSE
A networking wine & cheese reception
Join the excitement!

See SOCA global Caribbean networking in action.
Meet members, view slide presentations, review information and books on Caribbean, Latin American Art and artists

Friday, January 25, 2008
5:00-9:00 PM

Fort Frederik Museum,
Frederiksted, St.Croix

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Effective February 1, 2007
Contact:Norma Krieger
Tele:(336) 287-4706

Launch of Visual Arts Organization Seeks to Unite Caribbean Artists

ST.CROIX, U.S.V.I. — Inaugural event: Please join "The Society of Caribbean Artists" (SOCA) on Thursday, March 29 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Fort Frederik, Frederiksted, St.Croix to celebrate the launch of this exciting visual arts organization (Refreshments will be served). Agenda: The evening will include a presentation by SOCA founders; a slide presentation by Roy Lawaetz on his Modular Triangular System (MTS) followed by an open forum of artistic discourse. It is a rare opportunity to initiate critical dialogue on a broad range of key art issues relevant to the USVI art community.

One of the highlights of the launch will be an art exhibition by Roy Lawaetz, ("The Art of Cultural Re- affirmation") international artist and one of SOCA’s founding members. Lawaetz, recently participated in a series of successful exhibitions and workshops in Denmark and Sweden. Examples of his unique artistic and theoretical work and workshop instruction can be viewed at Fort Frederik from March 1st to 31st, 2007 commemorating the 90th Transfer Day Celebrations.

Artist, Maude Pierre-Charles said "Caribbean art is being made and defined as we speak with or without us. The question is for us to join the process with awareness and purpose. I envision an artist organization addressing our diversity and cultivating a higher sense of consciousness, integrity and intention in the practice of art in the Virgin Islands." Come and network with artists and cultural enthusiasts, to exchange creative ideas. The founders envision SOCA as the catalyst for the USVI’s emergence as a artistic destination of international importance. SOCA welcomes your support to become a member, volunteer or make a generous donation.

Background and Vision:

A group of noted St. Croix artists headed by Norma Krieger, curator, announced the formation of the "Society of Caribbean Artists" (SOCA) on March 25, 2006. The founding members Maud Pierre-Charles, Nii Ahene La Mettle-Nunoo, and Roy Lawaetz developed a proposal for the organization’s mission, membership plan, process and criteria for inclusion in exhibitions and a database. SOCA’s aim is to be a virtual repository of knowledge on Caribbean art and aesthetics and will include an online gallery. The news is significant for artists in the Caribbean. The vision of the "Society of Caribbean Artists" is to create critical dialogue among artists and the art community in the USVI, the region, and the African Diaspora; expand and continue the concept to include exhibitions, colloquium’s and workshops. The concept of the organization is designed to be both progressive and educational in scope.

SOCA will be based at the historic Fort Frederik, Frederiksted, St.Croix, USVI. The partnership with curator, Bruce Tilden and Yulette George, administrative specialist is important. It provides SOCA the creative environment to develop a collective presence for its future endeavors as artists in the USVI.

SOCA’s first endeavor on March 25th 2006, "Art by the Sea" brought together eleven noted U.S Virgin Island artists for an exhibition and artist salon. Artists included Maud Pierre-Charles, Nii Ahene La Mettle-Nunoo, Tomas Lanner, Rosine Smith, Pedra Chaffers, Ademola Olugebefola, Majorie Robbins, Cindy Male, Willard John, Yemaha Jones and Leo Carty. The event was in the spirit of the French art salons of the 17th-early 20th century which fostered art exhibitions, dialogue between visual and literary artists and the development of talented artists. It featured fine art, poetry readings, and a slide presentation.

Contact Us
SOCA c/o Maud Pierre-Charles, PO Box 7662, St.Croix USVI 00823

Norma Krieger, Founder/Director of The Society Of Caribbean Artists

or (336)287-4706

Founder/Director: Norma Krieger, Founder/Artistic Director: Maud Pierre-Charles, Founder/Communications Director: Roy Lawaetz,
Founder/Design Director: Nii Ahene La' Mettle Nunoo