The pieces chosen for the exhibit are borrowed from the private collections of Goshen residents Arlin and Naomi Hunsberger, Frank and Suzanne Bishop, Abner and Anne Hershberger and Richard and Ina Strasser. Primitive Haitian art displayed in the exhibit began developing in the early 1940s. Artists didn't have opportunities for formal training and consequently taught themselves, relying solely on their individual abilities and intuition. Whether descriptive, narrative or decorative, the subject matter of these works often integrates elements of the Christian religion and other traditions, as well as common scenes of people, animals and landscapes. Haitian artists use a range of techniques to obtain the results that characterize their work.
Painters work with oil on masonite, wood supports or, less commonly, on canvas.
Sculptors utilize sheet metal from oil drums, flattening the metal and then cutting patterned shapes out with a chisel. Wooden sculptures are made of tavarneau wood and sucrin wood roots, as well as oak and mahogany. The show includes works by S.E. Bottex, Andre Normil, Seresier Louisjuste, Prefete Duffaut and Sisson Blanchard. Friday, 1-6 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 11 p.m. Sunday. The building is accessible to people using wheelchairs and others with physical limitations.