Paintings In The Garden T&T

Paintings In The Garden (PITG), is an annual art show and fundraiser produced by Alicia Aberdeen Art LLC, in Brooklyn, New York. As an Art Exhibition and cultural spectacle, PITG has been quite successful in creating spaces for artists of the Caribbean diaspora to project its many layers of creative capacities and alluring lifestyles. Indicative of the significance of the PITG grassroots movement was a Proclamation by New York State Senator of its 21st District, Kevin Parker, to commemorate the 6th occasion last December and to underscore the social and artistic value of what Aberdeen-Jones has accomplished. 

Now in its 7th year and happening for the first time in Trinidad and Tobago on August 28th, 2025 the show will be done in partnership with TT-based Accommodata Services (Mrs. Gail Rajkumar) and will be hosted by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. This year’s theme is - “Zandoli In A MANGO Tree — the Essence of a PEOPLE”.

DYNAMIC. Safe space. Resilience. MOVEMENT. Survival. Enjoyment. ECCENTRIC. FREEDOM. Camouflage. BEAUTY. Opportunity. Reenergize. 

All perfect interpretations of the image and the People and Homeland it represents.

This Theme is named after one of the pieces that will be featured in the show. It's likening the animal in its natural environment, to the freedoms and open beauty we enjoy as a people; a freedom that we sometimes take for granted. It is also very much a "coming home" for Aberdeen-Jones.

Every year (since 2019), this carefully curated production that crosses genres of the arts, donates a percentage of the proceeds to various philanthropic causes in NYC and Trinidad and Tobago.

There is Always a Cause – My backstory,  My why! (a note from Alicia Aberdeen-Jones)

"For the past 6 years I have been open about my reasons for helping those in need. It stems firstly from my Seventh Day Adventist upbringing which taught us that helping the less fortunate was a duty, irrespective of convenience. But it's driven by my personal experiences dealing with drug addition in my own family. My brother Sheldon “Sketch” Aberdeen, a known addict for over 30 years, also known for his very public battles with recovery/sobriety, has now relapsed and is currently on the streets again, at 60 years of age! This only reinforces my zest and determination to make a difference as it pertains to helping the facilitators of real rehabilitation in Trinidad.

There is a tangible need for an infrastructure that is conducive to holistic rehabilitation and reintegration into society for addicts and recovering addicts to really stand a chance. Serenity Place Empowerment Center for Women clearly deserves our focus."

This inaugural event for the Motherland is providing Serenity Place Empowerment Center for Women in Guapo, Trinidad with much needed assistance. 

Tickets also available at CBTT Box Office. Contact: Gail (868) 759-3292 Anatomy Tech (868) 221-2437 for more info.

EXHIBITING Artists

Alicia Aberdeen-Jones, Alvin Clayton-Fernandes, Beverly Fitzwilliam-Harries, Evan Samuel, Gabriella Wilkes, Glenn Roopchand, Ken Crichlow, Janice Derrrick, Tomley Roberts, Tyler Villaruel, YZ Art;  Shivani Thomas (BAHS), Imani Sesepkekiu (BAHS).

All art is for sale with part proceeds going to the cause. The pieces will be on exhibit until September 12th, 2025 on the Ground Floor, Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.

PERFORMING Cast

Vaughnette Bigford, Mungal Patasar, Natasha Joseph, R’Kardo SteVon, from PITG III - a Gazette (video production), (spoken word)