Cape Verdean Contemporary

Dual Exhibition Opening Reception

Friday, June 13 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Join us for a special evening celebrating Cape Verdean culture and identity with the opening of two powerful exhibitions: Claridade: Cape Verdean Identity in Contemporary Art and Morabeza: Cape Verdean Community in the South Coast. This dual exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of Cape Verde’s independence from Portugal, honoring both the vibrant legacy and the evolving story of the Cape Verdean diaspora.

Claridade: Cape Verdean Identity in Contemporary Art showcases the work of Cape Verdean and Cape Verdean American artists exploring themes of identity, migration, and history. The exhibition title is inspired by the Cape Verdean literary review Claridade, which focused on identity and cultural clarity from 1936 to 1960. Featuring sculpture, mixed media, painting, poetry, and video installation, the exhibition includes works by artists including Wanda C. Medina, Christian Gonçalves, Ellen Gallagher, and Janilda Bartolomeu.

Morabeza: Cape Verdean Community in the South Coast highlights the history and experiences of the Cape Verdean community in New England. Through personal stories, photographs, oral histories, and cultural artifacts, this exhibition illuminates the immigrant experience, community traditions, and lasting connections with Cabo Verde. Morabeza explores themes of home, family, music, food, and neighborhood, emphasizing the role of social clubs, activism, and racial identity in the Cape Verdean diaspora.

Event Highlights:

• Remarks by Dr. Naomi Slipp, Chief Curator & Director of Museum Learning, and Emily Mead, Director of Philanthropy
• Light bites and Cape Verdean-inspired drinks