Podcast: “Regla: Soul of a Community”

“Regla: Soul of a Community” is curated by Souldega member Ashleigh Alexandria, an exhibition scheduled to take place at The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center between April 9th – May 7th, 2021. This is Alexandria’s first art exhibition produced under Souldega. The exhibit highlights the visualization and artistic interpretation of Black experiences in the town of Regla, Cuba through the eyes of four Black artists: Film Maker/Photographer Amberly Alene Ellis, Hip Hop artist of the group Obsesion, Alexey “El Tipo Este” Rodriguez, Creative Director & Body painter Ashleigh Alexandria "The Virgin Artiste" and Polaroid/Film photographer Jean- Andre Antoine.

Regla, a port town across the bay from Havana, Cuba, became an epicenter of Afro- Cuban religions in addition to being the home of the Virgin of Regla, a highly revered Black Madonna. Though Regla is typically portrayed only through its Afro-Cuban religious history, this exhibit shows the broader picture of Regla’s Black community in featuring images of its daily life and artistic expressions.

Ashleigh Alexandria of Souldega | Visual Artist, Creative Director & Curator

www.virginarte.com www.souldega.org

Intro by Alva Mooses | Recorded by Doug Berns at Fenimore Studios