SOCA Presents the 2nd Annual “ARTS FEST” at Fort Frederik Museum


ST.CROIX, U.S.V.I. —The Society of Caribbean Artists (SOCA) invites you to their 2nd Annual 
“ARTS FEST” at Historic Fort Frederik Museum on Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 9:00 to 8:00 PM. This fantastic arts event
is free and open to the public. “ARTS FEST”, is a one day event of community engaged art activities by twenty-nine
internationally acclaimed and award winning artists. It will be a dynamic and exciting family day and parents are encouraged
to bring their children to participate in two free workshops. Class size is limited and enrollment is on a first come first serve basis.
Please see workshop information for art materials requirements.

SOCA is grateful to the SOCA artists and supporters who come together annually and donate their time for this event. We also
wish to thank the following sponsors for their generous donations: Fort Frederik Museum; Virgin Islands Historic Preservation
Office; Department of Planning and Natural Resources; and the Department of Tourism. If you are interested in becoming a
volunteer or a member contact SOCA

“ARTS FEST” includes an Art Exhibition; Art Workshops; Film Screening; Guided tours of Fort Frederik Museum’s permanent 
exhibition; Dance and Drumming; Guided Tour by Honorable Senator  Wayne James on his Crucian antique bedroom furniture
 collection; Live Salsa music by Sabor Latino Band; Music and Sound by Jumbie Productions; St.Croix Bookmobile; Culture, Local
 food, Fun and Music!  Come, join the excitement and experience this inspiring range of art forms.

The dominant feature of “ARTS FEST” is the “SOCA Artist Members Exhibition”. The exhibition is expanded this year, visually 
vibrant and diverse.  SOCA’s mission is to raise awareness of the Caribbean visual art aesthetics, making this an invaluable 
opportunity for the community to observe the superb artwork of professional artists. This outstanding exhibition is one that will 
stimulate you to start or expand your own collection and bring art into your home. Art works are for sale and will be on view until 
Saturday, October 17, 2009. SOCA’s educational  component offers lesson plans to educators, parents
and school groups who are invited to visit the exhibition during it’s month long viewing. Museum hours are 9:00 to 4:00 Monday 
to Friday. For more information and to schedule your group call (340)772-2021.

Exhibiting Artists are: Roy Lawaetz, Maude Pierre Charles, Nii Ahene-La, Diego Conde,
Preston Doane, Marjorie Robbins, Sue Snow, Gerville Larsen, Augustine Holder, Phyllis Biddle,  Elisa McKay, Cindy Male,
 La Vaughn Belle, Ademola Olugebefola, Dr.Lourdes Neugart, Danica David, Mike Walsh, Avelino Samuels, Yemaha Jones, 
El Roy Simmonds, Pedra Chaffers, Willard+Curliss John, Bernard Clendenin, Marcia Jameson. Kat Pierie, Claire Richards, 
Akirash

On Saturday,  October 17th, 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Fort Frederik Museum, SOCA invites the public to the “Exhibition Closing”, 
the grand finale of “ARTS FEST”. SOCA will celebrate the successful conclusion of  the “SOCA Members Exhibition”.The highlight 
of the closing will be a presentation by Artist, La Vaughn Belle entitled “Moving Pictures-The Visual Iconography of the Virgin 
Islands in Film” followed by artist discussion: Wine and Cheese will be served.

SOCA is a visual arts organization based in St.Croix, US Virgin Islands at Fort Frederik Museum, Frederiksted St.Croix. SOCA 
demonstrates vision and excellence and recognizes the vital contribution arts organizations make to the cultural life of the
 community. Founded in 2006,  SOCA’s founders, Norma Krieger, Maud Pierre-Charles, Roy Lawaetz and Nii Ahene-La, well
 known professional artists formed a core team spearheading the effort to build a successful visual arts organization in the USVI.
 SOCA’s mission is to foster and promote the artistic expressions of the Caribbean visual artist and Caribbean aesthetics. Please
visit SOCA’s  website for information on our mission and founders: www.societyofcaribbeanartists.org

“The artist is one of the most important and valuable members of society. SOCA would like to expose young people and the 
community to all forms of art, the creative process and encourage art as a vocation”.
stated, Norma Krieger, founder and director.

The benefits of art are enormous states Dr. Lourdes Neugart, MAA, MD and SOCA exhibitor, “There are several studies that have 
shown how the practice of creating art through drawing, painting, sculpting, assemblage/collage,  can have an impact on every cell
 in the body to create a healing internal environment that changes the immune system and aids in blood flow to all organs. It can 
instill  hope, positive thinking and helps people cope with difficulties”.



The Society of Caribbean Artists (SOCA)
www.societyofcaribbeanartists.org

“ARTS FEST” 
Program

Saturday, September 19, 2009  9:00 to 8:00 PM
Fort Frederik Museum, Frederiksted, St.Croix

Music and Sound by Jumbie Productions

9:00-8:00: Saturday, September 19, 2009 “ARTS FEST” DAY:
SOCA Membership Exhibition: On view, Saturday, September 19, 2009  to Saturday, October 17, 2009 
Exhibiting Artists: Roy Lawaetz, Maude Pierre Charles, Nii Ahene-La, Diego Conde, Preston Doane, Marjorie Robbins, Sue Snow,
 Gerville Larsen, Augustine Holder, Phylliss Biddle,  Elisa McKay, Cindy Male, La Vaughn Belle, Ademola Olugebefola,
 Dr.Lourdes Neugart, Danica David, Mike Walsh, Avelino Samuels, Yemaha Jones, El Roy Simmonds, Pedra Chaffers, 
Willard+Curliss John, Bernard Clendenin, Marcia Jameson. Kat Pierie. Claire Richards, Abdul Rashid Akiniyi

Exhibition Closing reception: Saturday, October 17th, 4:00 to 7:00, Fort Frederik Museum: Presentation by Artist,
 La Vaughn Belle entitled “Moving Pictures-The Visual Iconography of the Virgin Islands in Film” followed by artist discussion,
 Wine and Cheese will be served.

Saturday, September 19, 2009 “ARTS FEST” DAY:
9:00-8:00: St.Croix Bookmobile: DPNR's Division of Libraries, Archives & Museums  St. Croix Bookmobile.  Adults and children 
will be able to get a library card and check out books. The state of the art air-conditioned bookmobile is a mini-library on wheels 
that ventures throughout the island to bring literature to those who may not have it readily at hand.  It holds more than 500 books, 
audiotapes, and videos, and is equipped with computers, flat screen TV’s and has two Internet access stations.

10:00: “DISCOVER AND MANIFEST YOUR HEARTS DESIRE-Expressive Arts Workshop”: by educator Iria “Oshun Tokun” Stiles.
(Total class size-15 youth and adults-art supplies will be provided) Participants should bring 3 of their favorite magazines for
 cutting out images and a journal. Facilitator will share with the participants how they could reshape their life from the inside out 
using visual affirmations.
No special talent or art experience necessary. All that is needed is the will to express your own truth, the desire to love and 
transform yourself.

10:00: Tours: of Fort Frederik permanent exhibitions by Museum curators

11:00: Guided Tour:  by Honorable Senator Wayne James on his Crucian antique bedroom furniture collection entitled: 
”Sleeping with a Bachelor”

12:00: Dignitaries: SOCA commemoration

12:30: Per Ankh Neteru Dance and Drum Ensemble: Artistic Director, Dr. Chenzira Kahina; Music Director, Carl Christopher.
 Founded in 1995, Per Ankh is a cultural heritage tradition bearing ensemble of dancers, drummers and performers

1:30: Watercolor Workshop:  By distinguished artist, educator Phyllis Biddle (Total class size-10 to include Youth and Adults)
 Watercolor paints and brushes will be provided: Bring the following materials: pencils, paper, (2 sheets of watercolor paper from 
The Frame Up). Bring cups, plastic, and water and a landscape image to work from with your watercolors. Instructor will
 demonstrate the painting of a landscape.  Participants will learn to paint wet into wet on watercolor paper and when the paper 
dries they will be able to go in with dry brush and provide detail.  You will play, and learn a lot

1:30-5:30: Live Salsa Music by Sabor Latino Band: Sabor Latino, the only Latin band in the Virgin Islands,
winners of the 2004 Music Awards

6:30: Film Screening: “VIEQUES: AN ISLAND FORGING FUTURES”, By award winning documentary filmmaker,
Johanna Bermudez-Ruiz. The documentary demonstrates part of the peaceful resistance  movement against the bombing
practices of the US Navy in Vieques, a sister island of Puerto Rico.