Normalizing relations between the United States and Cuba tend to go in fits and starts; President Obama’s historic order in 2014 to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba after more than 53 years greatly expanded travel opportunities for Cuba bound visitors. A couple of years ago Tampa and St. Petersburg were competing for the prospect of a Cuban consulate. But in 2017, the Trump administration expelled 15 Cuban diplomats and current laws are making it more difficult for Cuba bound travelers again.

​​Through the use of postcards, this project documents the natural human communication and exchange that is increasing between people who live in the United States and Cuba. On December 17th, 2014 President Obama’s order to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba encouraged more contact which greatly expanded travel opportunities for Cuba bound visitors. From 2014-2017, I invited travelers throughout Miami and across the US to participate in this project by asking them to mail from Cuba a postcard that I designed (Cuban postage included). This can take anywhere from three to eighteen weeks. In the course of the project, I distributed over 1000 postcards and 252.

​The invitation to participate in the project revealed my intent, which was for each individually written postcard to reflect unique voices, each with its own individual gesture, touch, and feelings, together creating a collective message of love. Over 250 people participated in the exchange via these postcards from across the United States, i.e. New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Florida, California and Cubans who were temporarily visiting the United States.

​This project was possible with the support of Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator