Miami, June 1, 2016 – Join Miami Dade College’s (MDC) North Campus community to celebrate National Caribbean-American Heritage Month beginning with an exhibition highlighting the work of Trinidadian artist Brian Wong Won. The exhibition opens at noon on Thursday, June 2, at the North Campus Gallery featuring a “Taste of the Caribbean” showcase and live music. All events are free and open to the public.
The North Campus’ annual celebration of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month honors the many contributions of the Caribbean-American community. This year’s theme, Fostering Excellence in the South Florida Caribbean Community, highlights Caribbean-American representation in the areas of science, technology, engineering, the arts, mathematics, and business.
“As we commemorate National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, the North Campus again this year presents the opportunity to learn and be enriched by the series of special programs being presented throughout the month,” said Dr. Malou C. Harrison, North Campus’ president.
Artist Wong Won is best known for his bright colors, expressionistic compressions of space and distortions of architectural space. He works primarily out of Miami but often travels to his hometown of Port-of-Spain. Collectors and critics have lauded him as the only artist to fully capture the spirit and feeling of the Carnival festivities via his vivid palette and expressive playful use of perspective. His carnival paintings are satirical, expressively tongue-in-cheek and very detailed, which also carries into his architectural subjects, for which he is well known.
Other activities throughout the month will include a business symposium on June 7, from 6 – 7 p.m., in the Conference Center (Building 3000) featuring successful businessmen and women in the South Florida Caribbean community. Speakers will highlight the relevance of technology, innovation, remaining competitive in the global market, and strategies for succeeding in the 21st century. Make Reading Fun: A Community Commitment and a Role for Caribbean Leaders with a focus on early literacy and learning will be held on June 15, from 9:30 – 11 a.m., in Lecture Hall 2151 (Building 2000).