Alicia Aberdeen-Jones is the quintessential Caribbean artist with philanthropy in her DNA.
Through her New York-based organisation, Aberdeen Art LLC, Trinidad and Tobago-born Aberdeen-Jones maintains a level of commitment to creating spaces for artists of the diaspora to showcase their creativity, while donating to select causes through Paintings in the Garden (PITG), her annual art show and fundraiser that is now in its fifth year.
"The event showcases fine and performing arts from the Caribbean arts community in an all-inclusive, one-night extravaganza, which is then followed by a full exhibition that runs for one to two weeks," Aberdeen-Jones told WMN.
[caption id="attachment_1041390" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Alicia Aberdeen-Jones shows off her painting of calypsonian David Rudder. -[/caption]
This year's event will usher in the Age of Aquarius and takes place at the Roulette Theatre in downtown Brooklyn on November 11. It will feature the artwork of Aberdeen-Jones, the embroidery art of Adele Todd; jewellery from designer and silversmith Janice Derrick; and artisanal bath, body and home fragrance from BHĀVANĀ NYC by Tashari DaSilva of Jamaica.
"And for the first time ever, my twin students Yves and Zach Briggs, 13 years old, living and thriving through autism," she said.
Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Serenity Place Empowerment Centre for Women in TT and a repeat partnership with The Coalition For The Homeless in New York.
"We (at Aberdeen Art LLC), work on art shows and projects that drive Trinbagonian and Caribbean culture in other ways, alongside yet apart from, the traditional Carnival fetes and activities. These art shows spotlight Caribbean culture and heritage that celebrate genres of talent while championing real causes in real-time.
"We are able to use the greatness of creativity to truly help people in need. In this way, we pay-it-forward immediately."
Aberdeen-Jones grew up in a "regular" middle-class Seventh Day Adventist family that diligently gave its ten per cent tithe to the church.
[caption id="attachment_1041389" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Alicia Aberdeen-Jones with her painting, Sons of the Soil, which pays tribute to the 1956 Tokyo Olympic quartet. -[/caption]
"But it wasn’t just a monetary sense of giving. We allowed it to permeate all levels of life and thinking."
Unfortunately, she said, when she was very young her family was struck with a series of tragedies, including the drug addiction of her brother Sheldon "Sketch" Aberdeen.
"We were exposed to things from a young age, so we went from being sheltered to being completely exposed, and forced to really mature and understand certain things from an early age; one of those things is that giving is a duty."
She said she first encountered homelessness when she had to stand helplessly by and watch her brother descend into the depths of life on the streets for 17 years – a harrowing experience that is among the m
