Andy Ballentine lived in the crown jewel of the Caribbean during his growing years. The golden hues of the sand, winds whispering through the swaying palms, and turquoise waters of the Caribbean stretching out to meet the horizon in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.
“Jamaica itself is art,” says Ballentine. “In America, it’s more like concrete buildings and when I was in Europe, someone mentioned how Americans can kill the color. We squeeze the color from the tube and that is it. I try to get different colors from combining, and everything from color, scenery, and culture of our people, has inspired my journey.”
While in Jamaica, artist Andy Ballentine says he was inspired to draw and paint the landscape around him. He’d paint the island’s enchanting ambiance like the ocean waves crashing against rugged rock formations and the fiery oranges of the sunset.
This inspiration led to Ballentine exhibiting at the Miramar Cultural Center where he’s showcasing his Carribean influence, experience, and history.
“I’m not going to present something mediocre at a mediocre get-together,” says Ballentine. “Not just people smiling and taking pictures. What are we going to learn from that?”
The exhibition, “Timeless Passion,” is at the Miramar Cultural Center through Wednesday, Aug. 7.
“My artwork has opened doors for me,” says Ballentine. “I don’t live in Florida, because I don’t believe in settling in just one place. I believe in moving around and I’ve been in Atlanta, Jersey, New York, and Florida is another one of my homes. It’s home to me because it’s given me opportunities like being at the (Miramar) Cultural Center. They know about my work and contacted me and it’s important for me to be here. I’ve turned down other places for this opportunity.”
The artist known for his Caribbean influence has also led him to exhibit at the Art Basel Art Fair in Switzerland and the New York Art Fair.
“A lot of people don’t know you have a place in Switzerland called Basel,” says Ballentine. “That was the inspiration for Miami Art Basel and there are a lot of artists, Black artists, that get exposed to people all over the world. Even though I did the biggest Basel in Switzerland, I’m going to do the Miami one hopefully in the next year or so.”
According to Ballentine, he’s exhibited in over 413 shows and sold over four thousand paintings without the internet, and has been featured in 20 solo exhibitions, Ballentine now has something else to add to his resume.
“When it comes to the arts you have to keep going and be consistent,” says Ballentine. “At the Miramar Cultural Center, we’re having 26 or 27 works and these people will get an experience they’ve never gotten before.”
Ballentine’s goal with “Timeless Passion,” he says, is to help educate the community on history and culture. Some of the artwork includes images of Bob Marley and Jamaican reggae icon Luciano, who signed his autograph on Ballentine’s portrait. Also included is a young Jesse O. Thomas, an educator who paved the way for the future of African Americans working for and with the Red Cross.
“Each piece will have something you can read,” says Ballentine. “I want to show our people the people that paved the way for us. This isn’t an exhibit we should take for granted. I’ve even turned down a lot of art shows for the Miramar show because I want to show the culture on the canvas. I want us to get the kids to come out and tell the kids where we come from and everything we love and enjoy in this world, these people are the blueprint for it.”
Much like Ballentine, Miramar resident Ritch Saint-Jean, is of Caribbean descent and realizes the importance of the culture. Saint-Jean, the CEO of Softlink IQ, a Hallandale-based technology company, says he is a supporter of the arts and was looking forward to seeing Ballentine’s exhibit.
“I see a chance for growth and more representation,” says Saint-Jean. “As a Haitian, I’m inspired by initiatives where Haitian youth show remarkable innovation and resilience in technology and the arts. These examples demonstrate the Caribbean’s talent and potential, and I’m committed to promoting diversity and supporting more Caribbean professionals.”
The exhibition opened in June to coincide with Caribbean Heritage month, which first started in 2006.
“Being Haitian has taught me resilience and creativity, which I apply to my career,” says Saint-Jean. “Caribbean Heritage Month, for instance, highlights our resilience, creativity, and achievements, fostering pride and unity. For others, it offers a chance to learn about and appreciate the diversity and influence of Caribbean heritage, promoting greater understanding and inclusion.”
Ballentine and Saint-Jean believe some improvements can be made to create more visibility such as more venues or events that primarily focus on Caribbean artists.
“I’ve done shows that Jamaicans have never touched,” says Ballentine. “I’ve done shows where I’m the only Jamaican there, but there are people from Africa, Canada, and I’ll tell these shows, ‘Don’t invite me next year because we need to find others.’ Let’s open doors for other people. I think Miramar could have artwork on every bus stop with a piece of history to go with it. I’ve seen it in other places, and we can tell the people through the art, who we are and where we’re coming from.”
Ballantine says he wants the power of art to be realized.
“No matter where you are, art teaches our people culture, history, and is bigger than the canvas and goes beyond the canvas.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: ““Timeless Passion”
WHERE: Miramar Cultural Center Banquet Hall/Ansin Family Art Gallery 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Exhibit runs through Aug. 7.
COST: Free
INFORMATION: 954-201-6843 or miramarculturalcenter.org
