On the occasion of his birthday, the life of the artist will be celebrated with a memorial service and pre-Jounen Kwéyòl mini-fiesta (Oct. 24).

The newly formed Dunstan St. Omer Art Foundation, along with the Hon. Derek Walcott, have teamed up to celebrate the memory of the late Hon. Sir Dunstan St. Omer who died on May 5, 2015.

On the occasion of his birthday, Saturday, Oct. 24, the public is invited to a memorial service and pre-Jounen Kwéyòl mini-fiesta at the Jacmel R.C. Church and grounds.

The day will begin with a memorial service at 9 a.m. which includes performances by Natannia St. Omer (dancing to “O Paradis”), Ronald “Boo” Hinkson, Derek Walcott, Yannick James and Anwar Leonty.

During the Jounen Kwéyòl mini-fiesta following the service, there will be dance performances  by students of the Marigot Secondary School and the Claralight Quadrille and Traditional Dance Group of Choiseul, songs by the students of the Anse la Raye Infant School and Ethan Fletcher, storytelling by Pin Jook, and music by the Roseau Combined School Band and the Jacmel Community Band.

The Folk Research Centre (FRC) encourages the public to support this new event on the Kwéyòl  Heritage Month calendar.

Plans are to make this an annual Kwéyòl Heritage Month event at the Jacmel Church which houses one of St. Omer’s most famous murals.

The FRC awarded Sir Dunstan the title of  National Cultural Hero in 2007, at a ceremony held at the Jacmel R.C. Church.