Myrlande Constant, a renowned textile artist, has dedicated over three decades to creating intricate beaded embroidery pieces that depict various aspects of Haitian history, religion, and daily life. Her work has recently been added to the permanent collection of the Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia, thanks to a significant donation of approximately 100 modern and contemporary Haitian artworks from collectors John Fox Sullivan and his late wife Beverly Sullivan.
The Sullivans, who were avid members of the Haitian Art Society, made multiple trips to Haiti over the span of four decades, amassing an extensive collection of Haitian artwork. In 2023, they generously gifted 15 paintings to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, which are currently on display in the exhibition “Spirit and Strength: Modern Art from Haiti.”
Karen E. Milbourne, the director of the Fralin Museum, expressed her excitement about the Sullivan collection, highlighting the inclusion of Hector Hyppolite’s rare piece “Fete du Morts” (1946–48), previously owned by Irving Berlin and never before publicly displayed.
The museum’s acquisition includes a diverse range of artworks, such as textile work, metalwork, assemblage, and paintings from both contemporary and 20th-century Haitian artists. Notable artists in the collection include Frantz Zéphirin, Louisiane Saint Fleurant, Toussaint Jacques Auguste, Rigaud Benoît, and Philomé Obin, who were early members of Le Centre d’Art, a prominent cultural organization in the Caribbean.
The upcoming exhibition, “Haiti’s Time,” will showcase more than 20 artworks from the Sullivan collection, providing viewers with a unique opportunity to explore the rich artistic heritage of Haiti. The exhibition is set to open to the public on August 30 and will run until January 4, 2026.
In addition to the exhibition, the Sullivan Collection Endowment for Access and Education has been established to support the care, research, and future programming of the artworks in the museum’s collection. This generous gift will ensure that these valuable pieces of Haitian art continue to inspire and educate audiences for years to come.
