May marks Haitian Heritage Month, celebrating the culture, traditions, and legacy of Haiti and its people. Anchored by Haitian Flag Day on May 18, Broward’s programming brings this history to the forefront through exhibitions, workshops, and cultural presentations.
May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, promoting wellness and reducing stigma. This month’s lineup brings art into that conversation as well, with events highlighting both the struggles and resilience of those living with mental health challenges.
February 2026 marks 50 years of Black History Month in the United States. Established in 1976, February became a month-long event to remember and celebrate the unique achievements and contributions of Black Americans and educate the public on Black history. Broward celebrates the 50th anniversary of Black history month with insightful performances, moving musical tributes, and contemporary art exhibitions.
Art
I’m Still Here: Exploring Mental Wellness Exhibition at ArtServe
ArtServe presents, “I’m Still Here: Exploring Mental Wellness,” an exhibition on resilience and finding joy in difficult times. This exhibition focuses on mental health and wellness and the triumph of the human spirit, with artwork exploring a range of topics related to emotional wellbeing, healing, grief, creativity, hope, and the drive to go on in the face of overwhelming challenges. “I’m Still Here” features works from 33 artists in a variety of mediums, from mixed media to wax-based painting.
“I’m Still Here” runs through May 22; entrance to ArtServe and the exhibition is free.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: I’m Still Here: Exploring Mental Wellness Exhibition
WHERE: ArtServe, 1350 East Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, exhibit runs through Friday, May 22
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 462-8190 or learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Teens and Adults
Ayiti: The Black Pearl Exhibition at Bailey Contemporary Arts Center (BaCA)
Mikael Semexant, artist-in-residence at Bailey Contemporary Arts Center (BaCA), presents “Ayiti: The Black Pearl,” an exhibition challenging stereotypes and preconceptions about Haiti and Haitian people. The exhibition title references the original Taíno (the indigenous people of Haiti) name for the island, Ayiti, which Haiti’s people chose as the name for their new country after successfully throwing off enslavement and French rule in 1804.
“Ayiti: The Black Pearl,” is Semexant’s first solo exhibition. A self-taught, Haitian-American artist, Semexant’s oil paintings depict intimate moments of family, love, and community. His work features positive representations of Black community, and conveys universal expressions of love and connection through depictions of real-life moments from his own experiences and family life.
“Ayiti: The Black Pearl” opens May 1 at the Bailey Contemporary Arts Center and runs through May 28; entrance to the opening reception and the exhibition is free to the public.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Ayiti: The Black Pearl Exhibition and Opening Reception
WHERE: Bailey Contemporary Arts Center, 41 NE 1st Street, Pompano Beach
WHEN: Opening Reception, 6 p.m., Monday, May 1
Exhibition Hours, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday; exhibit runs through Thursday, May 28
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 786-7879 or learn more on the Pompano Beach Arts event page and the Artscalendar event page
BEST FOR: Teens and Adults
Lakou La Croix Exhibition at Ali Cultural Arts Center
Opening at Ali Cultural Arts Center on May 8, “Lakou La Croix” is a solo exhibition featuring works from alumni artist-in-residence at Bailey Contemporary Arts Center, Louiveste La Croix. The exhibition explores themes of home, displacement, memory, and identity through the lens of Haitian-born, La Croix, who spent his childhood moving between different family homes away from his parents as they worked through the immigration process.
The exhibition’s name is taken from the Haitian Creole word “lakou,” which means “courtyard,” and refers to the communal living arrangements that emerged in Haiti in the post-slavery period as a resistance to the plantation system. For La Croix, the lakou was a way of life encompassing survival and shared responsibility, and each new home impacted his perspective of home and identity. La Croix’s abstract, multi-layered mixed media paintings combine natural elements and gestural figures to explore his personal history, identity, and culture. The artist has exhibited his works across the United States, including at Moves Love Miami in Wynwood, FL in 2021 and at Escape2NY in Brooklyn, NY in 2022.
“Lakou La Croix” is on display at Ali Cultural Arts Center through June 13; admission tois the exhibition and the opening reception on May 8 is free.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: I’m Still Here: Exploring Mental Wellness Exhibition
WHERE: ArtServe, 1350 East Sunrise Blvd.,oulevard Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, exhibit runs through Friday, May 22
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 462-8190 or learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Teens and Adults
Artful Minds at MAD Arts
NAMI Broward holds its fifth annual “Artful Minds” fundraiser event at MAD Arts on May 9 to honor Mental Health Awareness Month and highlight the transformative and healing power of art and creativity. NAMI Broward is a branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an organization focused on improving the quality of life for those dealing with mental health conditions. NAMI Broward works to eliminate stigma related to mental illness and provides a variety of mental health resources to the community, including support groups, classes and trainings, and one-on-one mentorships.
The “Artful Minds” event includes live performances and demonstrations, food and drinks, an auction, and a fashion show. Artists generously donated their works for the evening’s auction, and guests can enjoy viewing art from local South Florida artists like Alex Noir (mixed media), William Braemer (painting, sculpture, mixed media), and Kelsi Murphy (oil and acrylic painting).
Classically trained violinist, Carl Schmid, who has performed with musical legends like cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Jason Newstead of Metallica and the Chophouse Band, Derek Trucks of the Allman Brothers and many more, will perform live at the event. Schmid himself struggled with addiction and his mental health for many years and decided to give back to the community through his music; in 2017 he founded the Grace Notes Project, which brings the healing power of music to underserved populations and to people facing mental health struggles.
Proceeds for “Artful Minds” support NAMI’s mental health programs and support groups in Broward, which serve over 12,000 individuals throughout the county. Tickets for the event can be purchased through the NAMI Broward website.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Artful Minds at MAD Arts
WHERE: MAD Arts, 481 S Federal Hwy, Dania Beach
WHEN: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, May 9
COST: $50, general admission, $40, early bird admission
INFORMATION: (954) 316-9907 or learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Adults
All agesLectures and Discussions
Charles Deering: Artist, Collector, Patron, Preservationist Lecture at Coral Springs Museum of Art
Museum specialist and folklorist, Dr. Annette Fromm, presents “Charles Deering: Artist, Collector, Patron, Preservationist,” at the Coral Springs Museum of Art on May 2.
Dr. Fromm’s lecture explores discusses Charles Deering, the wealthy Gilded Age philanthropist, art collector, and art patron who transformed a pioneer house and South Florida hotel into the Deering Estate, a site of ecological preservation became a grand home for his extensive collection of American and European art and antiques during the 1910s and 1920s. Deering’s large collection of art and antiques included works from artists like Spain’s Francisco De Goya and El Greco, to American masters like Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent. Although most of his collection was donated after Deering’s death, the Mediterranean-revival house he built on the Deering Estate to house his treasured collection remains an important piece of South Florida architectural history. Deering also undertook an environmental restoration of the natural areas at Deering Estate, bringing in botanists to build up the native tropical hardwood hammock forest and the endangered Florida pinelands.
Dr. Fromm is Chair of the Folklife Council and specializes in immigrant cultures, ethnicity, and museum studies. “Charles Deering: Artist, Collector, Patron, Preservationist” is a free event; RSVP through the Coral Springs Museum of Art website.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Charles Deering: Artist, Collector, Patron, Preservationist Lecture
WHERE: Coral Springs Museum of Art, 2855A Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs
WHEN: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 2
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 340-5000 or learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Adults
Cultural Rendezvous Series #5 with The Deering Estate Curator at the Hollywood Art and Culture Center
Broward Cultural Division’s ongoing networking events, the Cultural Rendezvous Series, returns May 6 with an expert-led talk from Dr. Liliam Dominguez, Head Curator and Museum and Collections Manager at Miami’s historic Deering Estate.
Currently operating as a museum and ecological field station, the Deering Estate provides cultural and history-based programs and exhibits, as well as fostering the arts through their artist-in-residence program and community collaborations. Dr. Dominguez will discuss the Deering Estate AT program, which showcases the work of the Estate’s artists-in-residence to new audiences beyond the Deering Estate and foster deeper community connections through cultural programming related to the Estate’s past and current artists-in-residence. Her talk will also address how public programs and artist residencies create opportunities for artists, nurture diverse narratives, and strengthen collaborations and community across the Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward counties. Dr. Dominguez is a visual artist and holds an Master of Fine Arts in photography as well as a PhD in Education; she’s worked at museums, schools and universities, and art institutions before becoming Head Curator at the Deering Estate.
The Cultural Rendezvous Series is a program of Broward County Cultural Division’s Public Art & Design Program bringing together artists and art and cultural professionals. The series highlights different cultural venues throughout Broward and provides learning and networking opportunities for Broward creative professionals. The May 6 event is the fifth installment of the series, and takes place at the Hollywood Art and Culture Center; the event is free and open to creatives and creative professionals at any level of their career.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Cultural Rendezvous Series #5: Beyond County Lines: Building a Regional Artist Ecosystem through the Deering Estate AT program
WHERE: Hollywood Art and Culture Center, 1650 Harrison Street, Hollywood
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 6
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 921-3274 or learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Adults
Haitian Heritage Month Celebration at Northwest Branch Library
Haitian cultural ambassador, Patrick Mecca “Grimo” Marcelin, gives a creative and educational presentation on Haitian culture at Northwest Branch Library on May 30.
Mecca (also known as “Grimo”) Marcelin is a musician, spoken word artist, and cultural educator known for his passionate advocacy of Haitian history, arts, and culture. His community outreach includes initiatives like his “Little Haiti Field Trips” to the Little Haiti Cultural Center in Miami, and his monthly poetry soirees, “Poetic Lakey.” Marcelin got his start in the Hip-Hop Kreyol (Creole) Movement in the early 2000s, working to bring Creole into mainstream hip-hop music. His non-profit organization, Children’s Hope Chest of Dreams (FePouLi) uses mentorship, combined with arts and cultural programming, to uplift Black and Latino children in South Florida.
Marcelin’s innovative presentation combines his spoken word poetry and passion for Haitian culture; this event is a free, all-ages event.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Haitian Heritage Month Celebration
WHERE: Northwest Branch, 1580 Northwest 3rd Avenue, Pompano Beach
WHEN: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 30
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 357-6599 or register on the event page
BEST FOR: All ages
Music and Dance
A Haitian Flag Day Celebration at Lauderhill Towne Centre Library
Lauderhill Towne Centre Library hosts its third annual Haitian Flag Day Celebration on May 9. The program presents an interactive exploration of Haitian music, dance, art, and food. Learn about the culture and history of the world’s first free Black republic during an educational presentation. Then, join the group as a performer demonstrates and then leads participants through a Haitian dance. A Haitian visual artist will also lead the group in a painting activity and kids can join a book reading. Experience a taste of Haitian cuisine with a selection of Haitian snacks.
The Friends of Lauderhill Towne Centre Library sponsors the Haitian Flag Day Celebration; through their advocacy, the organization raises funds to support library programs, especially after-school programs for children and programs showcasing ethnic history and culture.
The Haitian Flag Day Celebration is a free event; all ages are welcome to attend.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: A Haitian Flag Day Celebration
WHERE: Lauderhill Towne Centre Library, 6399 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Lauderhill
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, May 9
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 357-6406 or register on the event page
BEST FOR: All ages
Konpa Pompano Beach! at The Hive Black Box Theater
Internationally-recognized Konpa dance instructor, Caleb Exantus, brings the rhythm of Haiti’s popular dance form, Konpa, to The Hive Black Box Theater in Pompano Beach in an exciting dance workshop on May 9. The Haitian born and Broward raised Exantus teaches and promotes Konpa dance nationally and internationally through his classes and performances at festivals, cultural events, and concerts. His classes incorporate Haitian history and culture, bringing context to the dance form. At the May 9 workshop, Exantus will lead participants through the basic steps and movements of the dance and teach different techniques of the Konpa form. No prior dance experience is necessary to attend the workshop.
Konpa (also known as Compas and Kompa) is a popular music genre and dance form that emerged in Haiti in the 1950s with musicians like Némours Jean-Baptiste and Webert Sicot, who rearranged traditional Haitian musical styles to create a simpler, more danceable beat that utilized syncopated rhythm created with drums, guitar, keyboard, and brass instruments like trombone and trumpets. The dance form of Konpa emphasizes hip and shoulder movements and uses relatively simple footwork; the dance is primarily performed in pairs. Over the years, the Konpa dance form has evolved into different styles that draw inspiration from other dance styles and remains a popular dance at clubs and community celebrations. And in 2025, UNESCO recently added Konpa to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list as a culturally significant heritage art form.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Konpa Pompano Beach!
WHERE: The Hive Black Box Theater (next to Ali Cultural Arts Center), 335 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd, Pompano Beach
WHEN: 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, May 9
COST: $10
INFORMATION: (954) 786-7877 or visit the event page
BEST FOR: Adults
Present in Space, Place, and Time…Music Series at The Hive Black Box Theater
The ongoing music series “Present in Space, Place, and Time” returns May 16 for a concert at The Hive Black Box Theater. Each concert in the “Present in Space, Place, and Time” series combines dance and music, highlighting local musicians and rare instruments from around the world. The May 16 concert features Haitian drummer and cultural musician, Gerald Zilas, jazz percussionist, Jen Martinez-Bre, and vocalist JaNia Harden.
Gerald Zilas began drumming from a young age in Haiti; his music combines traditional and modern sound and draws deep inspiration from traditional Haitian music to create energetic and meaningful rhythms. Zilas brings appreciation for Haitian culture through his music and shares the art of drumming through his performances, collaborations, and workshops. Jen Martinez-Bre performs alongside Zilas, bringing her deep jazz experience to the performance. Her jazz brings together her Cuban and Peruvian roots as well as other influences like Afro-Latin music. And classically-trained vocalist and Broward music educator, JaNia Harden, provides vocals for the May 16 performance. A multi-talented musician and artist, Harden’s music blends a variety of genres, especially jazz and soul.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Present in Space, Place, and Time…Music Series
WHERE: Northwest Branch, 1580 Northwest 3rd Avenue, Pompano Beach
WHEN: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, May 16
COST: $10
INFORMATION: (954) 357-6599 or register on the event page
BEST FOR: Adults
