Posted: March 1, 2010
The following letter was sent by Fritz Racine, President of the Haitian Art Society, DC Chapter:
The Haitian Art Society DC is deeply saddened by the news of the death
of Francine Murat, Director of the Centre d'Art of Port-au-Prince.
Francine died on February 25, 2010, six weeks following the collapse of
the Centre d'Art building during the catastrophic earthquake of in Haiti on
January 12.
Francine has been associated with the Centre d'Art since its opening in
1944, first as Administrative Assistant to the Founder Dewitt Peters,
then as Director for over forty years until her death. Her extended
professional service has earned her public recognition as an authority
on Haitian Art.
Francine Murat has carried out with grace, competence, and perseverance-- and often, under trying circumstances--the remarkable tradition of this unique and longest living art institution of Haiti.
The Haitian Art Society DC salutes the departure of this icon of
Haitian Art.
May her beautiful soul rest in peace.
Fritz Racine
President, HAS DC
Dewitt Peters, sitting in first row
second from right, with artists of the
Centre d'Art.
