After years of planning, in October 2023, USCAE will launch its first Diaspora Program in the neighborhoods of Havana, Cuba.  

DONATE $75 - Headshot Illustration STYLE 1 by Havana-based artist, Judith Matamoros

DONATE $200 - Headshot illustration STYLE 2 by Havana-based artist, Judith Matamoros

*Please scroll down to submit your info for your face photo

We have two goals:  

1.  Create an illustrated, tile mural with the faces of our US and Cuban community and artists - “We Are Connected”

2.  Collaborate on and record songs from our new project, songs from a theatrical drama set in a US/Mexico border town, with US program residents Rick del Castillo, Martina Amende and Alex Ruíz.  

Our goal is to perform with several upcoming Havana musicians during the Havana Jazzfest, 2024.  We are inviting you to join us in this collaboration and join our community.  “We Are Connected”, a tile mural of our faces, which will continue growing and represents our dedication to connecting artists internationally and providing ways to work together.  USCAE commits to creating ways to discuss important themes together like; border crossing, family separation, language barriers, cultural differences, politics and love.

This is how it works:

Your donation directly supports our Diaspora Program, the collaborations and the artists who participate.  And you receive a member illustration (submit your headshot by August 31, 2023) as a digital download and your face will be included in our tile mural.

We will produce a digital mural, with illustrations of our donors’ faces, by Cuban illustrator, Judi Matamoros, and this will be the main visual for our behind-the-scenes documentary about our trip and live performances in Austin, TX in the near future.

Why donate?

USCAE a new program aimed at connecting Cuban artists on the island and who have recently arrived to the US with other artists from the Afro-Caribbean and Spanish diasporas.  You’ll receive:

  • Illustrations of donor or as a tribute to someone - square digital download

  • Your face(s) installed into our tile mural

  • Inclusion in multi-media presentations and future live performances

Select "1" face illustration per $75. For example, for two different people, select "2" for $150 total donation or for a family of 4 together in one photo, select "4" for $300 total donation. Please honor a loved one in our mural if you prefer not to have your face illustrated. Photos of faces due by August 31, 2023.