From a troubled land, bursts of vibrant art

Haiti is probably most widely known as a country of political turmoil, heartbreaking natural disasters such as Hurricane Jeanne, and extreme poverty. Carey Dardompr, owner of the Artisans' World Gallery in Cambridge, is trying to change that perception, one piece of art at a time.

Dardompr turned to his native Haiti for original artworks when he opened the gallery last November. Arts and crafts are Haiti's cultural form of expression, he says. Where other Caribbean nations are known for distinctive forms of music -- for example, Jamaica and reggae -- ''everything in Haiti is art," says Dardompr.

Visual art is commonplace in Haiti; even front doors are painted using bright, expressive colors. According to Dardompr, this form of expression is steeped in tradition, starting with the Africans, who first brought painting to Haiti when they came in 1492, and then with the French, who, when they colonized Haiti, sent slaves back to France to learn French painting techniques. After the slave revolution in 1804, the French left, but their artistic legacy remained.

Dardompr, 45, came to the United States from Haiti in 1983. He briefly spent time in Miami, then in New York City, before settling in Boston. ''This is the place for me," he says.

After receiving a bachelor's degree in both education and French and a master's in French literature, he became a high school French teacher. The decision to open the gallery was a gradual one, he says. He had been hosting art shows and book and CD release parties in his home in Arlington for friends before he decided to get a separate space.

Charloc Lucien has known Dardompr for two years and has collaborated with him on several cultural events as part of the Haitian Artists' Assembly. Dardompr's gallery ''was needed to showcase Haitian art -- that's happening both in Haiti and here," says Lucien. ''It's a very vibrant community."

While Dardompr features Haitian art, he deliberately decided on a more inclusive name in order to embrace all cultures. ''I didn't want it to have a Haitian name, because I wanted it to be accessible to everyone, but the Haitians call it the Haitian Gallery," he says with a laugh. ''I call it the World Gallery."

The gallery has become a home to friends from various cultures, including an African-American percussionist who teaches monthly drumming classes and a Japanese piano player who celebrated the release of his latest CD at the gallery.

By bringing in not just art but also music and book events, Artisans' World has become as much a salon as a gallery. Conversations are encouraged around issues of education, cultural appreciation, and intellectual pursuits.

''He's bridging something between cultural communities," Lucien says. ''It's a wonderful bridge worth celebrating. It brings harmony. He's creating opportunity to see more harmony among races and cultures at a local level."

November, however, will be all about Haiti at the gallery as it celebrates ''Fet Gede," a Haitian national holiday on All Souls' Day, Nov. 2. The theme for the month will be ''Intimate Voodoo," featuring photographs and artwork from traditional voodoo ceremonies, and events aimed at demystifying the religion, which is officially recognized in Haiti. On Nov. 1, while those in Haiti will be dressing in black and purple, the traditional colors of Gede, the spirit of death, and celebrating in the streets, Artisans' World Gallery will be hosting an event at Ryles Jazz Bar. After a presentation on Gede and his significance in Haiti, the band Zilliroots will perform traditional Haitian music.

While Dardompr has become a patron of art and culture, he does not see himself as an artist.

''Art is a hobby. I never trained in art," he says, ''. . . but inside of me I do have the inspiration to create."