The FRIENDS of the FWPL hosted an art exhibit/lecture/ discussion of Cuba, aqui y ahora (Cuba, here and now) at the Florence Williams Public Library on Friday, December 14^th. The event featured Sylvania Golphin and Dr. Robert V. Vaughn. The art on display relates to their recent May/June visit to Cuba a joint lecture/discussion  on their impressions and experiences during and after that visit.

             These participants are former librarians in the Virgin Islands for several years: Ms. Golphin formerly with the Florence Williams Public Library, the V.I. Department of Education, and the U.S. District Court; Dr. Vaughn, currently an artist/ photographer formerly with St. Dunstan’s School, The Good Hope School, and the University of the V.I. (part-time). Their visitation to Cuba (they paid their own expenses) was under the auspices of the Association of Caribbean University and Research Institution Libraries (ACURIL), as a part of the Puerto Rican group. Come see, hear, and join in these exciting disussions relating to our Caribbean neighbor, modern-day (pre-Hurricane Michelle) Cuba. This is a St.Croix Art Exchange Project of the FWPL hosted by the FRIENDS of the Florence Williams Public Library.  

I was anxious to compare notes on my own visits to Cuba in 1982 and 1991 when I was a member of the Virgin Islands Central America and Caribbean Track and Field Team and the V.I.lPan American Games Team respectively..  I ran the marathon on the course that traversed the city of Havana.  It was grueling with the heat, humidity and the fumes from the thousands of vehicles on the streets approximate to the course.  A few days later  I had the opportunity to take a taxi along the route and take photographs of the buildings, people, neighborhoods of this historic city.  I recall the Spanish phrases and illustrations in Russian graphics and fonts and my stay at the Lenin Vocational School which served as the athlete village.  I recall fondly the hospitality of the hosts and the people who served as guides, officials and support for the games.  All were high educated and able to portray Cuba in a most positive light.  Unfortunately most of my photos were destroyed during hurricane Hugo.  So, it was great to see Bob's work and the many photos he took of Havana and to hear of his and Sylvania's experience.  In 1987 again I visited Cuba, this time as a team manager for the V.I. Track & Field Team in the Pan American Games Team.  The city had changed so much.  Buildings were not as well preserved as before, out of the city the roads were in an abandoned state with minimum motor vehicles.  The iconic and preverbal 50's Chevy's, Ford's, etc. were still to be seen and appreciated. Chinese bicycles seemed to be the preferred means of transport in the Havana.  Cuba's culture and history and society remain as enduring and substantive as always. Cuba is the one venue of all that I have visited for international competition including the four Olympic Games, that dedicated efforts to providing a fully stocked library for visiting athletes, officials and family to experience.

 I was able to buy several books while there and have since donated them to the Caribbean Collection of the Florence Williams Public Library. The library continues to acquire material on Cuba for the collection and remains interested in further development of the resources it makes available to the public.

La Vaughn Bell, the Coordinator of the St.Croix Art Exchange is currently in Cuba studying art at one of the many prestigious art institutes..