Donation protected
Diaspora Connecticut (Diaspora CT) is an initiative that began with its founder, Andre Rochester, having a booth at the 17th annual Harlem Fine Arts Show in NY. After experiencing the art, culture, and networking, he knew this was something that he would return to, but he must bring people with him to share the experience. There were artists and galleries from all over the country participating in this prestigious art fair, but he was the only one from a short drive up I-95 in Connecticut. However, he did notice that Connecticut artists did buy tickets to attend the event. Connecticut artists are aware of the Harlem Fine Arts Show, but were the organizers aware of what our state has to offer among the many artists who descend from the African Diaspora?
Upon returning home from being surrounded by so many Black artists, gallerists, collectors, and patrons of the arts for that weekend in February 2025, he started a new account on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/diaspora_ct) and set forth on a mission to promote and uplift artists and arts administrators of the African Diaspora who work and live in the state of Connecticut. In addition to this, Andre recruited 5 artists from Bloomfield, Hartford, New Britain, Manchester, and Waterbury to join him in an effort to raise money to participate in the next Harlem Fine Arts Show in February 2026. These artists have agreed to work collectively with Andre to represent Connecticut's African Diasporic Artist community to present some of the talent that our state has to offer in a market where we do not appear to have much representation:
Ashley Innocent- https://instagram.com/ashley.thecreator / https://ashleythecreator.squarespace.com/
We have set a total goal of $25,000. These funds will be used for the following:
- 10' x 20' Booth Fee
- Packaging Materials
- U-Haul Rental to transport artwork / Parking
- Lodging- Five-night hotel stay for six artists near event venue
- Transportation (round-trip tickets from Hartford-NY / budget for ride service within NYC)
- Meal budget for six artists
Co-organizers (4)
Andre Rochester
Organizer
Hartford, CT
Co-organizer
jasleni brito
Co-organizer
Katiana Smith
Co-organizer