Polyte is an artist, coffee farmer, and founder of Peak Macaya Coffee. He is from Peak Macaya, Haiti and has been living in Burlington, Vermont since 2016. Peak Macaya is the second tallest mountain region in Haiti, and home to the country’s last area of cloud forest – characterized as a tropical and moist climate at high altitudes. Polyte has been working with the local community to repair this area and support farming efforts since the devastation of hurricane Matthew in 2016.
Polyte grew up around coffee, having learned the trade and growing techniques from his father, he and his brother Otheniel expanded the family coffee production into a model that supports, involves, and invests in their local community. They are focused on protecting the region, its diversity and its inhabitants through education, nutrition, and sound environmental practices. Through this lens, Polyte founded a school that provides eco-friendly education along with daily nutritional programs and medical services. Today, the school has over 500 students. All products sold by Peak Macaya Coffee Co-Op are made by Peak Macaya artisans using materials from the region. The coffee and cocoa is produced using sustainable and environmental practices. All proceeds from artworks sold during this exhibition will be generously donated by Polyte towards the installation of composting toilets in Peak Macaya, Haiti.
