Quisqueya: Kanpe Fundraiser Print Series

Minneapolis-based design and screenprinting studio Burlesque of North America, with support from Kanpe Foundation, is raising money for their organization to rebuild communities in Haiti through the release of a unique screenprinted art print. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these prints, available between now and July 31, 2015, will be donated to Kanpe.

SCREENPRINTER BEN LAFOND'S STORY BEHIND THE IMAGES

In September of 2002, I stumbled into an estate sale in South Minneapolis. Pretty standard sale fare. Peering at the tables for potential treasures, a small plastic box caught my eye. Scribbled in pen on the top of the box was the word "Haiti". I pried it open and knew I had found something neat. Approximately 40 Kodachrome slides, each with a hand written note. "Port Au Prince. 1954" "Boy leaving market. 1956"...

I had to have them. I didn't know what I was going to do with them but they needed to come home with me. Upon checkout, I asked the cashier if they knew any info about the person or items I was purchasing. All they could tell me was that her name was Cornelia Malmberg, she was a school teacher, and was the first female millionaire in Minnesota. Apparently, she had invested in SuperValu Foods and struck it rich.

A little bit more research led me to discover she had left the United States in the mid-1940s to teach in the Canal Zone/Panama. Later in her life, Cornelia established a scholarship fund with the American Swedish Institute to assist students studying abroad in Sweden.

After several years buried in my accumulated piles of totally awesome stuff, the slides resurfaced. So I sez to myself..."Self, you should make some of these into screen prints!"

WHAT IS KANPE?

Founded in 2010 in part by Régine Chassagne of Arcade Fire, Kanpe is dedicated to supporting communities in need throughout Haiti. Teaming up with Partners in Health and Fonkoze (Haitian financial institution), Kanpe provides families with food, livestock, healthcare, and information that allows them to continue to help themselves.

TWO WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE

All proceeds from sales of these prints will be donated directly to Kanpe Foundation. Pre-orders are open only through July 31st. Click here to order the print and donate to Kanpe!

1) The Thank You Package
- Two 5 x 7" prints
(4 color screenprints on Crane 100% cotton paper)
$20 + shipping

1) The Big Thank You Package
- One 16 x 20" Quisqueya print
- Two 5 x 7" prints
(4 color screenprints on Crane 100% cotton paper) $50 + shipping