Art exhibit to help rebuild Haitian orphanage

ST. PETERSBURG – The devastation of the 2010 earthquake that hit Haiti is still a reality for many of their residents. The Haitian Mission Par La Foi (HMPLF), an orphanage and school program that teaches Christian values, was left devastated and is still trying to rebuild.

Marlene Berthelot, founder and executive director of HMPLF is an avid collector of Haitian master painters and is willing to part with her collection to help rebuild the orphanage.

She began her collection in the 1980s to promote Haitian arts and in the process increased the value of her investment portfolio. She has donated proceeds from more than 50 percent of her collection to help her mission in Haiti and is looking to sell more works.

Berthelot hopes to raise the $97,500.00 needed to match a Grant from Digicel Telecommunications to rebuild the school and orphanage that was left a pile of rubble by the earthquake.

First Unity Campus of St. Petersburg, located at 460 46th Ave. N., St. Pete, has been a great supporter of the mission. The church is hosting an Art Exhibit of Haitian Master Painters in their sanctuary to benefit the mission.

The Art Exhibit of Haitian Master Painters is on display through June 30. The exhibit is open from 9-5 p.m.  Mon-Thurs. Special arrangements can be made for private showings by calling First Unity Campus of St. Petersburg at 727-527-2222.

A grand opening is set for June 17 from 5-7 p.m. Please feel free to call the church for any question you may have.