‘ESPIRITU AFRICANO’ OPENS & CLOSES TO RAVE REVIEWS AT CMCARTS
Artist Mark “Feijao” Milligan, II, center, flanked by his two sons, at the opening of his solo exhibit Espíritu Africano on July 5 at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in Frederiksted, St. Croix. Photo courtesy of Mark “Feijao” Milligan, II/Facebook.
A native son of St. Croix, visual artist Mark “Feijao” Milligan II recently returned to the island to present his second solo show, Espíritu Africano: Honoring the Timeless Spirit of the African Diaspora, at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in Frederiksted.
The nearly two-month long exhibition opened to a packed house and rave reviews on July 5 and closed on the same high note on Aug. 30.
According to the exhibit’s summary, Espíritu Africano celebrates the enduring essence of the African spirit—one that transcends time and geography. The body of work explores the spiritual, folkloric, and generational ties that unite the African Diaspora, revealing the unseen forces that guide, uplift and empower us. Whether felt as an intangible presence, an unshakable inner strength, or the ancestral energy that surrounds us, this spirit is ever-present. It weaves through our daily lives, shaping our paths and reminding us that we are never alone.
Photo courtesy of Mark “Feijao” Milligan, II/Facebook.
One Facebook commenter who attended the show wrote, “Magnificent exhibition, Mark!” and another wrote “Feijao, your work is amazing. Congratulations!”
In a heartfelt note to his followers and supporters who attended the show’s opening, Mark wrote on Facebook: “I’m deeply grateful for all of the love and support shown at the opening of Espíritu Africano last Saturday at CMC Arts in St. Croix, USVI. Thank you to my loved ones—family and friends—for always being there. A special thanks to Lisa Mordhorst, Kóan Jeff Baysa, Monica Marin, Jessica Parker White, Waldemar Brodhurst, Jay Weiss, and the CMC Arts staff for creating such a beautiful collaborative experience that allowed me to bring this work to life and share it with our community. And thank you to Mestre Kojo for including Capoeira Angola in the dialogue the week leading up to the opening.”
If you missed the exhibit, enjoy a virtual tour and more photos of Espíritu Africano at this link!
