After the Earthquake(s), We Danced
Jan 24 – March 21, 2025
Haiti’s cultural legacy has long been eclipsed by the country’s misfortunes. The international community can be blind to a place they do not understand. Its otherness and mysticism serve as a cautionary tale instead of one of inspiration and triumph.
Haiti’s negative publicity is by design. The country disrupted economic and cultural norms when it bought its independence from France on January 1, 1804. France’s $21 billion emancipation debt dashed the country’s economic hopes, and world nations and news sources derided the world’s first black republic lest it inspire further revolts in the Antilles.
These unfortunate narratives bleed into today’s news, stories, and reels, obscuring the other side of Haiti.
Writer and photographer, Huáscar Robles entered Haiti to explore the other side of trauma. More than a nation struggling after the January 12, 2010, earthquake, he found a country dancing over the rubble. Haitians defied fear at the rhythm of konpa in Port-au-Prince, and elevated their voices in the sprouting tent cities that sprouted up during Easter celebrations. The Ayikodans dance troupe employed Voodoo rhythms to connect Haitians with their ancestors, and, in Souvenance, the cycle of life and death of Voodoo traditions remained intact.
Sound and syncopation are maps of resilience. This collection of photos serves as a guide to Haiti’s resistance and revival. Robles traces these stories from Port-au-Prince after the earthquake all the way to Akin, Souvenance, and all the enclaves of art and culture that remind us that Haiti’s cultural patrimony deserves its place in history.
– Huascar Robles
Explore Workshops
Desktop ⬇︎ [hide on Tablet, Mobile]
Restoring Memory through Collective Mending – Adults & Teens
In this workshop, participants will explore the art of mending as a form of healing. Through sewing and embroidery, we will patch and stitch to honor treasured fabric items with a focus on gentle repair. Objects which hold special stories and memories might include garments or blankets; join in this communal workshop and participate in the centuries-old practice of restoration.
Date: July 19th
Time: 11 AM – 2 PM
Location: BJAC Gallery
Ages: 14+
Finding Our Voice Through Storytelling – Adults
This workshop will focus on the art of the oral tradition of storytelling as a way of processing, honoring, and remembering. Attendees will go through short, creative exercises as they craft a story related to their experience of the LA Wildfires.
Date: June 26th
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Location: BJAC Gallery
Ages: 18+
Creating in Community through Acting – Adults
Come connect with your community through classic ensemble-building acting exercises! This beginner friendly workshop will allow attendees to connect through laughter and discover the power of community as we celebrate what brings us together in our hardest moments.
Date: July 12th
Time: 11:00 AM- 12:30: PM
Location: BJAC Gallery
Ages: 18+
The Japanese Art of Kintsugi (Golden Joinery) – Adults
Discover the transformative art of Kintsugi with Kat —a certified Kintsugi artist whose workshops blend creativity, mindfulness, and personal growth. Rooted in the ancient Japanese practice of mending broken pottery with gold, Kat’s Modern Kintsugi sessions offer a unique opportunity to embrace imperfections and find beauty in the broken world around us.
Date: June 14th
Time: 11 AM – 1:45PM
Location: BJAC Gallery
Ages: 18+
Finding Hope in the Music: Songwriting for New Voices – Adults & Teens
A creative space for new songwriters to explore healing. You’ll learn basic song structure, lyric writing, and melody—all rooted in honest emotion and personal stories.
Date: July 26th
Time: 11 AM – 1:00PM
Location: BJAC Gallery
Ages: 14+
Creating in Community through Acting – Teens
Come connect with your community through classic ensemble-building acting exercises! This beginner friendly workshop will allow attendees to connect through laughter and discover the power of community as we celebrate what brings us together in our hardest moments.
Date: June 12th
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: BJAC Gallery
Ages: 10-17
Restoring Memory through Collective Mending – Adults
In this workshop, participants will explore the art of mending as a form of healing. Through sewing and embroidery, we will patch and stitch to honor treasured fabric items with a focus on gentle repair. Objects which hold special stories and memories might include garments or blankets; join in this communal workshop and participate in the centuries-old practice of restoration.
Date: July 10th
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Location: BJAC Gallery
Ages: 18+
Finding Our Voice Through Storytelling – Adults & Teens
This workshop will focus on the art of the oral tradition of storytelling as a way of processing, honoring, and remembering. Attendees will go through short, creative exercises as they craft a story related to their experience of the LA Wildfires.
Date: June 21st
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: BJAC Gallery
Ages: 14+
Tablet ⬇︎ [hide on Desktop, Mobile]
Restoring Memory through Collective Mending – Adults & Teens
In this workshop, participants will explore the art of mending as a form of healing. Through sewing and embroidery, we will patch and stitch to honor treasured fabric items with a focus on gentle repair. Objects which hold special stories and memories might include garments or blankets; join in this communal workshop and participate in the centuries-old practice of restoration.
Finding Our Voice Through Storytelling – Adults
This workshop will focus on the art of the oral tradition of storytelling as a way of processing, honoring, and remembering. Attendees will go through short, creative exercises as they craft a story related to their experience of the LA Wildfires.
Creating in Community through Acting – Teens
Come connect with your community through classic ensemble-building acting exercises! This beginner friendly workshop will allow attendees to connect through laughter and discover the power of community as we celebrate what brings us together in our hardest moments.
The Japanese Art of Kintsugi (Golden Joinery) – Adults
Discover the transformative art of Kintsugi with Kat —a certified Kintsugi artist whose workshops blend creativity, mindfulness, and personal growth. Rooted in the ancient Japanese practice of mending broken pottery with gold, Kat’s Modern Kintsugi sessions offer a unique opportunity to embrace imperfections and find beauty in the broken world around us.
Finding Hope in the Music: Songwriting for New Voices – Adults & Teens
A creative space for new songwriters to explore healing. You’ll learn basic song structure, lyric writing, and melody—all rooted in honest emotion and personal stories.
Creating in Community through Acting – Adults
Come connect with your community through classic ensemble-building acting exercises! This beginner friendly workshop will allow attendees to connect through laughter and discover the power of community as we celebrate what brings us together in our hardest moments.
Restoring Memory through Collective Mending – Adults
In this workshop, participants will explore the art of mending as a form of healing. Through sewing and embroidery, we will patch and stitch to honor treasured fabric items with a focus on gentle repair. Objects which hold special stories and memories might include garments or blankets; join in this communal workshop and participate in the centuries-old practice of restoration.
Finding Our Voice Through Storytelling – Adults & Teens
This workshop will focus on the art of the oral tradition of storytelling as a way of processing, honoring, and remembering. Attendees will go through short, creative exercises as they craft a story related to their experience of the LA Wildfires.
Mobile ⬇︎ [hide on Desktop, Tablet]
Restoring Memory through Collective Mending – Adults & Teens
In this workshop, participants will explore the art of mending as a form of healing. Through sewing and embroidery, we will patch and stitch to honor treasured fabric items with a focus on gentle repair. Objects which hold special stories and memories might include garments or blankets; join in this communal workshop and participate in the centuries-old practice of restoration.
Date:
July 19th
Time:
11 AM – 2 PM
Location:
BJAC Gallery
Ages:
14+
Finding Our Voice Through Storytelling – Adults
This workshop will focus on the art of the oral tradition of storytelling as a way of processing, honoring, and remembering. Attendees will go through short, creative exercises as they craft a story related to their experience of the LA Wildfires.
Date:
June 26th
Time:
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Location:
BJAC Gallery
Ages:
18+
Creating in Community through Acting – Teens
Come connect with your community through classic ensemble-building acting exercises! This beginner friendly workshop will allow attendees to connect through laughter and discover the power of community as we celebrate what brings us together in our hardest moments.
Date:
July 12th
Time:
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location:
BJAC Gallery
Ages:
10-17
The Japanese Art of Kintsugi (Golden Joinery) – Adults
Discover the transformative art of Kintsugi with Kat —a certified Kintsugi artist whose workshops blend creativity, mindfulness, and personal growth. Rooted in the ancient Japanese practice of mending broken pottery with gold, Kat’s Modern Kintsugi sessions offer a unique opportunity to embrace imperfections and find beauty in the broken world around us.
Date:
June 14th
Time:
11 AM – 1:45 PM
Location:
BJAC Gallery
Ages:
18+
Finding Hope in the Music: Songwriting for New Voices – Adults & Teens
A creative space for new songwriters to explore healing. You’ll learn basic song structure, lyric writing, and melody—all rooted in honest emotion and personal stories.
Date:
July 26th
Time:
11 AM – 1:00 PM
Location:
BJAC Gallery
Ages:
14+
Creating in Community through Acting – Adults
Come connect with your community through classic ensemble-building acting exercises! This beginner friendly workshop will allow attendees to connect through laughter and discover the power of community as we celebrate what brings us together in our hardest moments.
Date:
June 12th
Time:
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location:
BJAC Gallery
Ages:
18+
Restoring Memory through Collective Mending – Adults
In this workshop, participants will explore the art of mending as a form of healing. Through sewing and embroidery, we will patch and stitch to honor treasured fabric items with a focus on gentle repair. Objects which hold special stories and memories might include garments or blankets; join in this communal workshop and participate in the centuries-old practice of restoration.
Date:
July 10th
Time:
6:30 – 9:30 PM
Location:
BJAC Gallery
Ages:
18+
Finding Our Voice Through Storytelling – Adults & Teens
This workshop will focus on the art of the oral tradition of storytelling as a way of processing, honoring, and remembering. Attendees will go through short, creative exercises as they craft a story related to their experience of the LA Wildfires.
Date:
June 21st
Time:
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location:
BJAC Gallery
Ages:
14+
Contact Us
Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Address
4814 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California
Phone
323-644-6295
Hours
During Exhibitions:
Thursday – Saturday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
*Closed During City Holidays*
Email Us
4814 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
BAC: (323) 644-6295
BJAC: (323) 644-6275
Barnsdall Arts Center (BAC), Barnsdall Junior Arts Center (BJAC), and BJAC Gallery are facilities operated by the City of Los Angeles, DCA
Public Land Acknowledgment
It is important that we prioritize respect for both the historic culture and the contemporary presence of indigenous peoples throughout California, and especially in the Los Angeles area. To that end, and particularly as a public and civic institution, we acknowledge that our facility resides on what was historically the homeland of Kizh, Tongva, and Chumash peoples who were dispossessed of their land.
4814 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
BAC: (323) 644-6295
BJAC: (323) 644-6275
Barnsdall Arts Center (BAC), Barnsdall Junior Arts Center (BJAC), and BJAC Gallery are facilities operated by the City of Los Angeles, DCA
Public Land Acknowledgment
It is important that we prioritize respect for both the historic culture and the contemporary presence of indigenous peoples throughout California, and especially in the Los Angeles area. To that end, and particularly as a public and civic institution, we acknowledge that our facility resides on what was historically the homeland of Kizh, Tongva, and Chumash peoples who were dispossessed of their land.
Barnsdall Arts Center (BAC), Barnsdall Junior Arts Center (BJAC), and BJAC Gallery are facilities operated by the City of Los Angeles, DCA
Public Land Acknowledgement
It is important that we prioritize respect for both the historic culture and the contemporary presence of indigenous peoples throughout California, and especially in the Los Angeles area. To that end, and particularly as a public and civic institution, we acknowledge that our facility resides on what was historically the homeland of Kizh, Tongva, and Chumash peoples who were dispossessed of their land.