Mail Art South Florida
This painting represents my contribution to the #MailArtMovement, a vibrant space where I celebrate the people, stories, culture, flora, and fauna that make South Florida unlike anywhere else. Among these stories is that of Sidney Poitier, a Bahamian-American actor, director, diplomat, and trailblazing activist whose work helped reshape American film and theater. His groundbreaking performances in the 1950s and 1960s challenged racial stereotypes, opening doors for generations of Black actors. In 1964, he made history as the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field, cementing his legacy as a transformative figure in cinema.
But Poitier’s remarkable life story also has a profound connection to South Florida. He was born in Miami, arriving two months prematurely while his Bahamian parents were in the city for business. Though not expected to survive, his parents stayed in Miami for three months to ensure he received the care he needed. This unexpected beginning granted him U.S. citizenship, even as he was raised in the Bahamas, then a British Crown colony. His story—rooted in resilience, cultural intersection, and the blending of Caribbean and American identity—embodies the spirit of South Florida itself.
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Private Collection
IG: @ElvisSantanaArt