Artistic world lends a helping hand to Haiti

As Haiti’s call for help becomes more deafening, the art world has turned to add support.

Throughout the month of February, the Gallery Group will host a Haiti benefit show with art by Wayne Manns and Leslie Houin.

While the Gallery Group requests that showcased artist donate 25 percent of their profit to a local charity, due to personal connections Manns and Houin both specifically requested the contributions be given to the Haiti Relief Fund, Gallery Group Manager John La Bella said.

“My daughter is married to a Haitian man,” Manns said. “After hearing the horrible stories of her attempting to get her in-laws out of Haiti, it was an easy decision that the contribution should be given to earthquake victims in Haiti.”

The artwork, ranging from $10 to $2000, showcases Manns’ paintings, Houin’s photography, and pottery by various artists, La Bella said.

Both artists mentioned their childhood as the inspiration behind much of their artwork.

“While other kids watched baseball games, I grew up surrounded by popular and legendary jazz artists,” Manns said. “My father was a jazz musician, my uncle was the pianist for Billie Holiday, and I’m an aspiring musician. My artworks reflect this.”

Houin said she was excited to showcase her work.

“This is my first time really presenting my work; it was a last-minute collaboration,” Houin said. “Many of the photographs are dedicated to me revisiting my childhood; I took photos of child memories that were in the state of decay.”

Although this is Houin’s first time presenting, Manns has several paintings placed in the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.

Houin said she found photography by accident, but Manns said he can’t remember a time he didn’t carry around crayon or pencil.

He said artwork gives him the ability to tell stories and convey messages without words.

“I fell into painting, but when I saw Picasso and Rembrandt’s works, it touched me. If you connect with the art, then the artist has succeeded,” Mann said. “That is what I hope for.”