Plantation, Fla. (January 3, 2022): Heralding the new year with a bold step into the world of fine art, Island SPACE Caribbean Museum will kick off its 2022 calendar with a one-man show by world-renowned fine artist Joel Gresham. Joel Gresham: Life as a Canvas will run from January 15th through March 13th, with an opening reception on January 15th from 6 to 9p.m. The collection of Gresham’s work spans the decades of his 42-year career.
The energy and contained movement of figures pictured in his work are a direct link to his Caribbean heritage and a contagious beat of the region’s artistic and musical traditions. “As an expressionist, I am moved emotionally through a creative process of the way I see the world… allowing me to use my imagination to experiment on this canvas we call earth,” said Gresham.
With a fine art education from Atlanta, Georgia, his work has brought him significant acclaim over the years. Gresham’s pieces can be found in public and private collections, including those of Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones and the late Muhammad Ali. His personal roots include connections to Jamaica and Haiti, as well as time spent living in Jamaica and Cuba.
“Joel Gresham’s voluptuous human figures, with their vivid movement, vibrancy, obscured faces and distinctive dispositions are an emotionally charged joy to behold,” said Island SPACE co-founder Calibe Thompson. “Each image is intrinsically Caribbean, conjuring the imagination. The collection, which also includes pop art and abstract pieces, offers a perfect start to our upcoming ‘Year of the Caribbean Story.’ We look forward to art-lovers across the spectrum visiting to enjoy it.”
Access to the gallery is included with general museum entry. Visit islandspacefl.org to learn about this and other activities and exhibitions at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum.
Island SPACE Caribbean Museum is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 11:00a.m. through 7:00p.m. and Sundays from 11:00a.m. to 6:00 p.m. General entry fees are $10 per adult and $5 per child. Donations, sponsorships, memberships and volunteer commitments are encouraged.
Island SPACE is supported in part by Florida Power & Light Company, Grace Foods, Westfield Broward Mall, the Broward County Cultural Division, Florida Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, and the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Helen and Frank Stoykov Charitable Endowment Fund, David and Francie Horvitz Family Fund, Ann Adams Fund, Mary and Alex Mackenzie Community Impact Fund, Blockbuster Entertainment Unrestricted Fund, Robert E. Dooley Unrestricted Fund for Broward, Harold D. Franks Fund, and Jan Moran Unrestricted Fund.
Island Society for the Promotion of Artistic and Cultural Education (Island SPACE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of arts, culture, history, and educational initiatives that represent the Caribbean region, in South Florida and the broader diaspora community.
About the Community Foundation of Broward
Founded in 1984, the Community Foundation of Broward helps families, individuals and corporations create personalized charitable Funds that deliver game-changing philanthropic impact. 473 charitable Funds represent more than $212 million in assets, distributing $119 million in grants over the past 35 years. The Community Foundation provides bold leadership on community solutions and fosters philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter. The Foundation empowers visionaries, innovators and doers to create the change they want to see in the community – and to BE BOLD. www.cfbroward.org
