Eunice Lafate
As an educator, artist, former banker, human services administrator, writer, story-teller, and public speaker on Folk Art and Culture, Eunice LaFate has impacted the lives of countless people by sharing her talents, her art, and her respect for diversity.
Born in Jamaica, LaFate is a self-taught artist whose early works were influenced by the landscape, tones and culture of her island heritage. In transitioning to life in her new environment, LaFate’s work has evolved to include themes of human diversity and cultural heritage.
LaFate cites numerous accomplishments in the field of art and in community endeavors. She was the recipient of the 2007 Christi Award for Outstanding Community Service/Volunteerism in the Arts and the Delaware Division of the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship in 2004. She exhibited her painting and conducted gallery talks at various galleries, schools and museums. She presented her Fellowship works titled Diverse Perspectives to the public, at the DDOA Mezzanine Gallery. LaFate also produced a Catalogue of Selected Works and Writings. She collaborated with the Summer Stop the Violence Campaign and coordinated with over forty children in painting a banner tiled, “A Peaceful World Begins With Me.”
LaFate’s paintings are included in the permanent collection of the Delaware Folk Life Program at the Blue Ball Barn Museum in Alapocas. Lithographs of her paintings are in the art collection of President Clinton’s Library, in Little Rock, AR. LaFate had the honor of attending the Opening Reception of Clinton’s Library, in 2004. In 2013, LaFate celebrated a 20-Year Folk Art Retrospective with a three-month Exhibition at the Blue Ball Barn, in Alapocas, Wilmington. In conjunction with the exhibition, LaFate produced a Documentary, titled “ARTS AS PREVENTION.” She conducted several Gallery Talk sessions, attended by City youth and parents.
LaFate earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors from the University of the West Indies Jamaica, and a Master of Science degree in Human Services Administration from Springfield College, MA. Many of LaFate’s paintings were inspired by her Springfield College Human Services experience. LaFate recently retired from her position as Career Preparation Instructor at the Wilmington Job Corp Center.
