Havana Street Art

Welcome

Havana, Cuba, founded in 1519, is a visually fascinating and culturally rich city, a photographer’s paradise. Centuries of history, architectural development and the artistic expression of her citizenry have added to the visual feast. In neighborhoods across the city, groups of vibrant and creative artists have been expressing themselves in all forms of public art, not only for themselves & for visitors but for all the children who, from a very young age, develop a deep appreciation and respect for art in their own surroundings.

Two American documentary photographers, Morgan Alexander and Kate Mack, have been photographing  community and street art in Havana since 2006. On April 11, 2011, they had the rare privilege to produce a collaborative art exhibit with Cuban artists in “El Tanque" in Lawton, Havana, Cuba. 

Just six months earlier this massive 100-year-old concrete water tank stood in disrepair, idle and empty in the neighborhood above the railroad track, where it was no longer needed to cool steam engines on the tracks below. With the vision and direction of local resident and artist Manolo Baldrich, Director of the Muraleando Project, permission for use (and new life) was granted by 10th of October District officials, and a lot of creative and hard work by the neighborhood Art Collective ensued. Thus a forgotten empty vessel transformed into an unusual art exhibition hall, classrooms, a place for workshops and a bubbling community center.

As you travel the streets of Havana, you will see the broad range of creative expression in paint, mosaic tile work, woodcarving, sculpture and ceramics. It is a joyous and optimistic picture of a creative and courageous people.