Famn Vanyan: Poetry, Music & Photogaphy

words + poetry - Ursula Rucker

music - Tara

featuring gallery photos by Wanda Benvenutti

Famn Vanyan

Presented by 651 ARTS as part of its Women's History Month programming, Famn Vanyan - Haitian Kreyòl for "valiant woman" or "resilient woman", is an interdisciplinary program honoring the creativity, strength, and cultural leadership of women across the diaspora. Curated by 651 ARTS Curatorial Fellow Ariella Villefranche, the series explores the connections between Haitian musical traditions, contemporary sound, and the communities that shape artistic practice today. Rooted in Villefranche's exploration of the meeting point between ancestral rhythms and modern sonic landscapes, Famn Vanyan celebrates the enduring resilience and creative power of women across generations.

Program: March 29

The opening evening of Famn Vanyan brings together poetry, music, and photography inspired by the women who influence Villefranche's artistic practivce and creative vision. The program features spoken word by internationally acclaimed poet and recording artist Ursula Rucker, musical selection by Brooklyn -based DJ and cultural curator Tara, and a gallery presentation by photojournalist Wanda Benvenutti, whose project American Boricua celebrates the Puerto rican disaporathroughout North America. Together, these artists create a multidisciplinary gathering that reflects the spirit and resilience of women across communities and artistic forms.

About the 651 ARTS Curatorial Fellowship

The 651 ARTS Curatorial Fellowship supports emerging curators in developing and presenting new work that centers artists of the African Diaspora. The program provides fellows with time, space, and institutional resources to conceive and present programming at 651 ARTS while expanding access to mentorship and leadership within the curatorial field.

Curator's Note

“Famn Vanyan was conceived to center the resilience of the women around me, especially Haitian women, whose strength and wisdom have shaped who I am. This project honors the way music, culture, and community converge - carrying us, sustaining us, and making us stronger.”
- Ariella Villefranche

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher 651 ARTS