Above: From left to right, Arthur Francietta, Claudia Claremi, Emilie Boone.
The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) has unveiled the recipients of the prestigious fifth cycle of its Caribbean Cultural Institute (CCI) Fellowship, a program supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The CCI aims to deepen the study of Caribbean art while fostering cross-regional collaboration and exchange. The selection process was led by a distinguished panel, including Iberia Pérez González, PAMM’s Andrew W. Mellon Caribbean Cultural Institute curatorial associate; Laura Novoa, assistant director of programs at the Bakehouse; Aldeide Delgado, independent curator and founder of the Women Photographers International Archive; Marie Vickles, PAMM’s senior director of education; and Gilbert Vicario, PAMM’s chief curator.
“We are excited to welcome the fifth cohort of artists and scholars to this year’s Caribbean Cultural Institute Fellowship Program,” said PAMM Director Franklin Sirmans. “As a leading institution in contemporary Caribbean art, PAMM is dedicated to championing Caribbean arts and culture, supporting the artists, and advancing research in this vital field.”
The 2024 fellows include Martinique-born graphic designer and visual artist Arthur Francietta, Cuban-descended artist and filmmaker Claudia Claremi, and Haitian-descended art historian Emilie Boone. This year’s cohort reflects the diverse cultural tapestry of the Caribbean, with a particular emphasis on vernacular languages and experimental lens-based media.
“We are excited to support this outstanding group of fellows,” said Pérez González. “I look forward to seeing their work evolve during the fellowship and beyond.”
The CCI Fellowship also partners with Miami-based institutions to spotlight Caribbean art. Notably, PAMM has joined forces with El Espacio 23, founded by philanthropist Jorge M. Pérez, to host fellow Claudia Claremi during her Miami residency. Additionally, Claremi and Boone will present at the 2024 WOPHA Congress, an international conference centered on the role of photography in contemporary society.
Francietta’s project will explore the creation of a Caribbean writing system, combining typography with regional mythology. Claremi will expand her ongoing research into the cultural memory of Caribbean fruits, examining the sensory and emotional connections Caribbean migrants in Miami maintain with these symbols of home. Boone will delve into the history of photography in Haiti, exploring its impact on the country’s cultural narrative.
The CCI Fellowship continues to cement its place as a key driver in advancing Caribbean art, research, and community engagement.
