CURATOR

Tisha Smith

FEATURED ARTIST

Reinilda Fernandez (Blair) and Darnelle Louis-Jacques

Ayiti-Quisqueya: Nexus of the Taíno showcases the work of two women artists from the Dominican Republic (Quisqueya) and Haiti (Ayiti). Reinilda Fernandez (Blair) and Darnelle Louis-Jacques explore and celebrate their shared Taíno ancestry while addressing the contemporary challenges and tensions between their countries.

EVENTS

Ayiti-Quisqueya: Nexus of the Taíno - Opening Reception

Aug 09, 2025, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St, East Point, GA 30344, USA

FREE | Open to the public

Ayiti-Quisqueya: Nexus of the Taíno - Artist Talk

Sep 06, 2025, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

The ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St, East Point, GA 30344, USA

FREE | Open to the public

Ayiti-Quisqueya: Nexus of the Taíno - Closing Reception

Sep 19, 2025, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

The ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St, East Point, GA 30344, USA

FREE | Open to the public

About the Artists

Reinilda Blair is an accomplished acrylic painter born in the Dominican Republic, raised in New York City, and now based in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. She began painting at the age of 8 and officially launched her art career in 2021. Her artistic style is characterized by a vivid and emotive use of color, focusing on nature, portraiture, and cultural symbolism. Blair’s paintings are noted for their bright, rich hues and detailed representation, creating a dynamic interplay between form and color that adds depth and vitality to her subjects.​ Blair’s work has been exhibited at notable venues such as Mason Fine Art, Alpharetta Arts Center, Fulton Government Center, and Emma Darnell Aviation Center. Her recent solo show at Arts Clayton Gallery received acclaim for its evocative visual impact and emotional resonance. Through her striking use of color and detail, Blair continues to captivate audiences with art that is both visually compelling and deeply meaningful. Learn more by visiting her website.

Darnelle Louis-Jacques is a Haitian-American self-taught artist based in Atlanta and originally from the vibrant streets of Brooklyn. After high school she wanted to study architecture in college but that career choice wasn’t supported by her family. This led Louis-Jacques to pick a field that would please herself and family. After earning degrees in dental lab technology and applied science in baking and patisserie, Darnelle still felt unfulfilled. In May of 2019, Darnelle was involved in a near-death car wreck which left her immobilized for a few months. That experience reunited with her first love: Art. She continues to live out her dream of becoming a globally known artist. See her portfolio here and follow her artistic journey on Instagram @artbydlj.

Curatorial Statement

“Ayiti-Quisqueya: Nexus of the Taíno’s” is a deeply resonant and timely exhibition that brings together the visual voices of two women artists—Reinilda Blair from the Dominican Republic and Darnelle Louis-Jacques of Haitian descent. Through this collaborative project, the artists explore their shared Taíno heritage, while confronting the tensions and histories that have long shaped the relationship between their homelands.

Rooted in cultural memory and personal storytelling, the exhibition invites viewers into a dynamic dialogue—one that is both historical and contemporary, painful and hopeful. The works interrogate identity, displacement, and belonging, while celebrating a common lineage that predates colonization and borders. With each brushstroke, the artists reclaim ancestral connections and forge new ground for understanding, healing, and solidarity.

The exhibition unfolds across three central themes: the richness of Taíno mythology and aesthetics; the present-day social and political complexities between Haiti and the Dominican Republic; and the radical act of unity through art. As individual artistic expressions intersect on canvas, a collective narrative emerges—one that transcends national divides and affirms the power of creativity to bridge communities.

“Ayiti-Quisqueya: Nexus of the Taíno’s” is not only an exhibition, but a platform for cultural reconciliation. It offers space for reflection, dialogue, and transformation—reminding us that even in fractured histories, there exists the potential for connection, empathy, and renewal.

— Curated with intention and care to honor the past, confront the present, and envision a more unified future.

Tisha Smith

Curator/ Creative Director