Art Opening: Roots of Resilience feat. Ameera Pernebsati Lys

In celebration of Mois de l’histoire des Noirs (Black History Month), the Alliance is honored to welcome to the Eleanor Wood Prince Salon Chicago-based Haitian visual artist Ameera Pernebsati Lys’ new exhibition, Roots of Resilience.

Join us for the art opening to discover the exhibition and hear from the artist about her vision. Ameera will be joined in conversation by D.E. Simmons, Executive Director of Diasporal Rhythms.

Join us for an artist’s talkThe program will be followed by a reception, where guests will have the opportunity to explore the exhibition, continue the conversation with the artist, and mix and mingle with their fellow art enthusiasts over complimentary light bites from Ruby ‘N Thangs and a glass of Haitian Prestige beer or Barbancourt rum, courtesy of the Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago.

Doors at 6:00 p.m. Program at 6:30. Please enter via 54 W Chicago Ave. Reception to follow. Non-alcoholic options will be available.

Roots of Resilience will be on display February 5–March 31. The exhibition is presented in partnership with the Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago, Diasporic Rhythms, Daughters of Haiti, the Hatian American Museum of Chicago, Lys Arts, Dusable Heritage Foundation, and the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti.

*A percentage of artwork sales supports AF-Chicago’s cultural programming—*merci beaucoup for your support of French langauge and Francophone cultures in Chicago!

About the Artist

Ameera Pernebsati Lys, LCSW (she/her/hers) is a Haitian-American fiber and mixed media artist creating with textile design, indigo, Japanese Shibori, collage, stamping, painting, ink, sculpture, quilting, jewelry design, photography and graphic design. Ameera’s work is inspired by her Haitian heritage, traditional African culture and spirituality, and the injustices of racism. She has had solo exhibitions at the Haitian-American Museum of Chicago, Riverside Arts Center & Lys Arts Gallery as well as multiple group exhibitions at Hyde Park Art Center. Her work can be found in the permanent collection of the Haitian American Museum of Chicago. 

She has taught indigo and shibori classes since 2018 at various arts institutions such as Hyde Park Art Center, Riverside Arts Center and Marwen. She has created and facilitated trainings and workshops on social equity and expressive arts at the University of Chicago Collegiate Scholars Program, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, Pivot Collaborative, Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, EL Education and guest lectured at the School of the Art Institute. Ameera has worked collaboratively on community arts projects with the Museum of Science and Industry, the Haitian American Museum of Chicago and the Coalition of Haitian-American Organizations in the Chicagoland Area. Ameera was born and raised in Chicago and has her B.A. from Carleton College and M.S.W. from Smith College School for Social Work. Ameera is an initiate of Kemetic and Dogon philosophy, healing and spirituality at The Earth Center.

Getting Here

The Alliance Française de Chicago is one block from the CTA Red line stop at Chicago Ave. Best bus routes are the 22 on Clark St and the 66 on Chicago Ave. A Divvy station is located in front of the 54 W Chicago Ave entrance.

Parking Information

$12 for 12 hours at InterPark at 100 W Chestnut St. Validation is available at reception.

Please be advised that students, members, and attendees at cultural events or programs may be photographed, and these images may be used for marketing purposes.