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Artist: Carlos Barbon i
Artist: Carlos Barbón https://cbarbon.wixsite.com/gableswatercolors Carlos Barbón is a Cuban-born artist and a graduate of Florida State University with a BA degree in art and a minor in art history. Carlos has been ƛƴ awe with Coral Gables beauty with its well-designed plans, wide streets, and old world charm. His favorite medium is watercolors. He is a member of the Florida Watercolor Society. I am an art director in the advertising industry. My Coral Gables watercolors have been on a solo exhibit at the Coral Gables Museum. On the April 25, my watercolor ƛn Theresa Kellerϥǎ honor will be unveiled at the Coral Gables Museum. Work Example:
Proposal: As a Coral Gables watercolorist, my interest is to highlight the Gables hidden gems and some of the undiscovered beauty that is all over the city and is, for the most part, unrecognized. I hope to achieve this by concentrating on the details, by means of doing tightly cropped portions of Coral Gables details. Example: close-up of DeSoto's fountain faces.
Artist: Carlos Barbon i
Title: Coral Gables Landmarks Details 1
Artist: Mary Bielenstein
Artist: Mary Bielenstein http://Marybielensteinfineart.com Art and painting has been my passion for the past 30 years. My family and I have moved many times over the years, and I now live in the beautiful City of Coral Gables. I create art expressly to reflect beauty in my world, and to communicate this to others. I now paint in acrylics, and use mixed media approach incorporating texture and other materials in my pieces. My latest exhibits have been at the Coconut Grove Art Festival 2018, South Miami 2018 as well as Coral Gables Festival of the Arts 2018. Work Example:
Proposal: Coral Gables is a place filled with light, color, patterns, history and charm. On a walk through the city one will encounter amazing vegetation, birds, trees, butterflies, and Old Spanish and Italianate architectural elements. There is no mistaking where you are, there is no other place like it. The Post I propose will be a reflection of this amazing beauty. The sketches I have attached below will take the viewer on a visual walk through the Gables. Flora and Fauna of the area will blend with architectural details that will lead the eye upward to the finial. The finial will incorporate arabesque tiles and colors inspired by iconic structures such as the watertower on the Granada Golf Course. The upper part of the finial will represent the sky, and be decorated with butterflies, a personal favorite! Please visit my website for more examples of my painting style!
Artist: Mary Bielenstein
Title: A Walk in the Gables
Artist: Angela Bolaños
Artist: Angela Bolaños http://abcreativeprojects.com Angela Bolaños is a multidisciplinary artist that hails from Honduras. She grew up in Miami and currently resides in Coral Gables, Florida. Angela graduated with a BA in Liberal Arts from Portland State University. Her artwork has been featured in several promotional posters for Miracle Theatre in Portland, Oregon. Her photography has been used for promotional efforts for Coral Gables Museum’ educational programs and she has been chosen as a featured artist in an upcoming issue of 1340 Magazine from The Netherlands. Angela is a museum educator, exhibit developer, and curator. She recently ended her role as Director of Education at Coral Gables Museum to focus her energy on furthering her creative practice as a full-time artist and art educator. She is interested in sharing her love and knowledge of visual arts and museums with all audiences, with a particular expertise in young audiences. She believes that through informal education, individuals can immerse themselves in collaborative learning environments, furthering their knowledge of local and international communities. She believes that continuous fostering of cultural competency encourages global harmony and understanding of peoples around the world. Work Example:
Artist: Angela Bolaños
Proposal: Having spent the past three years as a museum educator at Coral Gables Museum and spending a great deal of time studying the history of The City Beautiful, and learning all about the vision of its founder, poet and developer, George Merrick, has allowed me to understand how Venetian posts are a fitting choice for this exciting art project. Mediterranean architecture is at the heart of the city’s identity and its cultural contribution to the rich history of the state of Florida. Since its early days, Coral Gables has had a defined aesthetic and comforting, inclusive nature. In more contemporary days, its citizens are still very much concerned with upholding George Merrick’s most ardent principle, beauty everywhere. However and not unlike most cities in the world, Coral Gables’ residents find themselves at the intersection of preserving invaluable local history along with moving in a direction of progress and thoughtful change. My design respects the organic curves of the Venetian post while clearly addressing my own contemporary aesthetic. Simple geometrical shapes serve as a reminder that our present is still very much imbued with the choices made by visionaries we’ll never met. Our future, very much an undiscovered promise, astoundingly different from that of the women and men responsible for the erection of the city we now call home. My design is a fusion of the ages. Metallic gold, bronze and silver are deliberate choices of colors to reflect the past and present wealth of resources, intellectual approach to the pursuit excellence-in every sense-and industrious nature of Coral Gables’ residents.
Artist: Angela Bolaños
Title: A Fusion of the Ages
Artist: Gianna DiBartolomeo
Artist: Gianna DiBartolomeo http://www.giannadibartolomeo.com Gianna DiBartolomeo is a mixed-media artist who uses ordinary materials in unconventional ways. Gianna's work is characterized by a vivid use of color and labor-intensive repetitive processes.
Gianna was born in Miami, Florida and currently is a FIU Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator Fellow, the Co-Vice President of the MBUS Student Leadership Advisory Board, the Vice-President of the Fine Arts Student Association at Florida International University, and a MFA degree candidate at Florida International University, where she previously obtained her Bachelors of Fine Arts.
Gianna exhibits and sells work at galleries, retail stores, and other art venues throughout the United States including New York, California, Las Vegas, Chicago, New Hampshire, Ohio, and throughout Miami. Work Sample:
Artist: Gianna DiBartolomeo
Proposal: This work is direct derivative from my series "Touch from Above" where I'm turning that sweet feeling, when someone does something unexpectedly kind for you, into sweetness for real. Just like a much-needed hug, a selfless act of kindness, or an aptly spoken word can sweeten my day, so "La Dolce Vita" is meant to sweeten yours! The use of bright multi colors proposed reflect the vibrancy of Miami life. Materials: -gold metallic paint (or silver metallic paint) -glitter (optional) -mixed media materials shaped and adhered directly to painted pole Title: La Dolce Vita
Artist: Gregory Dirr
Artist: Gregory Dirr http://gregorydirr.wordpress.com Gregory Dirr received his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Ringling College of Art and Design in 2008. His art has been shown in over 200 galleries nationally and internationally as well as at the artist collective ‘Thought Coalition.’ Through collaborations, Gregory has been involved in a plethora of creative projects including acting as Art Director for the Sickle Cell Natural Wellness Group, and the American Sweatshop, photographer for Devon Alexis Photo, executive producer for Thought Coalition Recordings, curator to many art exhibitions, and construction/installation director for various public sculptures and murals Work Example:
Proposal: My Venetian Post design is an extension of my knot work series. I have been pursuing this body of work since high school. In the past three years I have been exploring applying my knot work onto three dimensional objects. Some past projects involving my knot work include the city mascot of Pompano Beach (Painted Pompano Round 2), store front windows for British Blue Print Montreal, helmet and mural design for Scorlucca Auto and painting on the stage front of Jump the Shark Fort Lauderdale. I enjoy how the knot work resembles the line or rope used in boating. The whimsical long free flowing gestures of the line work reflect the interweaving rivers and canals of Venice. This project has peaked my interest on a personal level because I once lived in Coral Gables as a child.
Artist: Gregory Dirr
Title: Venetian Knotwork
Artist: Carlos Fernandez
Artist: Carlos Fernandez http://www.carlosfernandezart.com 1994 Graduated from “San Alejandro” School. Havana, Cuba. 1989 Graduated from Institute of Industrial Design. Havana, Cuba. Art in Public Places – Trump Tower II. 15901 Collins Ave. Lobby sculpture. Sunny Isles. Fl. – Trump Tower I and III. 15801 and 16001 Collins Ave. Beach access. – Marina D’or . Castellón España. – Riviera Hotel. Havana, Cuba. – Florida Hotel. Havana, Cuba. – Villa Cuba Hotel. Varadero, Cuba Private Collections – Daisaku Ikeda. Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. – Placido Domingo. – Jorge M. Sori Fine Art.
Artist: Carlos Fernandez
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Artist: Carlos Fernandez
Proposal: The artistic proposal for the intervention of the Venetian mooring post is based on the link of two characteristic elements of the City: the coral stone and the tropical flora. Returning to one of the pieces of the series that I developed, which was inspired by the Vizcaya gardens, I incorporate the image of a "Guardian" in one of the views of the Post and a waterfall of fruits and flowers, a symbol of abundance, on the opposite side. Some colored planes on the top of the Post complete the design. Title: The Guardian 1
Artist: Carlos Fernandez
Title: The Guardian 2
Artist: Francisco Flor
Artist: Francisco Flor https://www.instagram.com/the_frank_flor/ I am a Videographer/Photographer, Graphics Designer/Animator, and Drawer/Painter. I am graduating from New World School of the Arts with a BFA in Art + Technology. Over the years I collaborated on many animated projects with Izune Studio Works, while in recent years I have been working on Film and Cinematography. Work Example:
Proposal: My goal for this project is to paint an appealing Venice Pole with 3 different colors that complement each other. I also want to include the leaves imagery to represent Miami's tropical vegetation.
Artist: Francisco Flor
Title: Triad of Venice
Artist: Gustavo Garcia
Artist: Gustavo Garcia http://www.Gustavo8.com Cuban born artist Gustavo Garcia was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he studied graphic arts, photography, illustration, and fine arts. Later in life, his exposure to the vibrant colors and culture of Miami led to inspirational public works that have been displayed throughout the country, including Washington D.C (Party animals and Pandamonia) Ocean City, Maryland (Seagulls), New York City (Apple) and his own hometown of Grand Rapids. His paintings range from realistic to graphic expressionist in style and he has painted in large formats for both private and commercial settings. He has also used his love of graphics arts to author and illustrate several children’s books. Some of the mediums he has mastered include acrylics, oils, latex, colored pencil, markers, and wood work. Exhibits from 1985-2018 Exhibited every year, at least once a year in cities Miami or New York or Washington DC or Atlanta and/or other cities. Work Example:
Artist: Gustavo Garcia
Proposal: To show the venetian pool from another point of view (overhead). Using an over interpretation to create a graphic image.
Artist: Gustavo Garcia
Title: The Venetian Pool
Artist: Ariel Celestino Hernandez
Artist: Ariel Celestino Hernandez http://elpintordelascurvas.com Ariel Celestino Hernandez also known as “El Pintor De Las Curvas” was born in Marianao, La Habana Cuba in 1974 and migrated to this country in 1999. Celestino started his artwork at six years of age when he did a portrait of his teacher. When his teacher saw the portrait, she knew he would one day make this his career as he was naturally gifted. He did his first art exposition in Cuba at the age of 17; since then, he has done many expositions in the United States, Europe, and Central America. As an autodidact, he studied many techniques by reading art books filled with biographies and pictures of masters inspiring him to create his own unique style and his own master pieces. His art work is very personal in every way: the colors, the buildings, the streets, the plants, and the people are a reflection of urban civilizations with a touch of movement that define his art work. His artwork can be compared to a universe of light and bright colors with movements. His style is different, colorful, and easily recognizable by its elegant curves with a well-defined personal seal. Celestino has been featured in several magazines and has appeared on numerous television programs. He has done many murals including a large mural for the Hotel Loews in Miami Beach, Florida. Celestino has donated many of his art works to charitable not for profit organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Amigos for Kids, and St. Jude Research among others. Work Example:
Artist: Ariel Celestino Hernandez
Proposal: A theatrical character "an Italian Harlequin in Venice.” However, giving it my unique style that is bold, with colors and movement. Title: Harlequin in Venice
Artist: Holly A. Jones
Artist: Holly A. Jones http://www.hollyajones.com Visual Artist Holly A. Jones grew up painting and gardening in her hometown of Lansing, Michigan. Holly moved to South Florida in 2008 and the gardens of her youth etched patterns in her memory. The diverse city of Miami is the corner of paradise, surrounded by lush landscapes, tropical waters, and a bustling art scene inspired Holly to produce. FINE ART BY: Holly A. Jones, Inc. was incorporated January 2010. Being a self-published fine artist, Holly has been exhibiting extensively, developing a base of collectors. In late 2010 and 2011, Holly was commissioned for two public art installations in the City of South Miami and City of Pinecrest, Florida. Her earthy, hands-on upbringing has inspired and given her the ability to work on many different mediums. Work Example:
Artist: Holly A. Jones
Proposal: I lived very near the Granada Fountain and at night I would walk over to the Valencia Avenue post office to drop off orders in the mail. I would receive art orders daily so the walk was multiple times a week and I did that for a number of years. At the end of the day, once the traffic settled down, and the dusk is over, Coral Gables becomes a very quiet, lovely place to live. The energy of the big city surrounds a little piece of paradise. Those who embrace the quietness at night are able to enjoy the luscious foliage, gardens and wild life that live within it. My vision for the "Moon over Miami" piece would be to recreate the feeling one gets when they walk in the "city beautiful" under a full Miami moon. It was a special time in my life to have experienced such peace, and enjoy what Coral Gables has preserved throughout the years. Title: Moon Over Miami
Artist: Holly A. Jones
Artist: Alec Jerome Kreisberg
Artist: Alec Jerome Kreisberg http://akreisberg.nwsaweb.org/ Alec Jerome Kreisberg, a Miami native, is a multimedia artist skilled in film-making, 3D animation, musical composition, and graphic design. Using music as a foundation he weaves narrative videos together that implement progressive forms of video editing and post production. As a designer he is inspired by cutting edge maximalist designs. Work Example:
Proposal: The intention is to focus on the four core industries expected to make huge leaps in the next twelve years which are farming, transportation, energy, and communication.
Imagery of tower farms, telepathic brain interface communication, drone taxis, and renewable energy sources are juxtaposed together.
Artist: Alec Jerome Kreisberg
Title: 2030
Artist: Monique Lazard
Artist: Monique Lazard http://moniquelazard.com While growing up in San Francisco I spent weekends drawing and painting in the art department of the Junior Museum. I knew from the joy I felt while in those rooms that I wanted to be an artist. My formal studies began as an undergraduate at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. I received my BA from the California College of Art and pursued graduate studies at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. I began my career began in 1974 as a fashion illustrator for Liberty House department store chain in Oakland, California. From there it expanded over the course of 20 years to include graphic and editorial design, and art direction. In 1992, depleted from the fast pace of NYC, my husband and I made a fresh start in Telluride, Colorado. It was during this period I began to shift my emphasis to painting. I spent most of my days hiking the Rocky Mountains with watercolors in tow. Miniature landscapes were the first expressions to emerge. In 1999 I moved to Bryn Mawr, PA with my husband and daughter. During this period I was able to study with artists I admired, including the late Nelson Shanks at Studio Incamminati. Stuart Shills and Alex Kanevsky at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. I also studied with many local artists I admired. My husband and I finally decided to leave the extreme winters and moved to Miami in 2015. I have a studio at the Bakehouse Art Complex where I continue to learn and grow as an artist. I have gallery representation in Connecticut, Florida, Maine, New Jersey, New York and Miami. What I try to achieve in my paintings is a sense of aliveness with brushwork and color. I paint things that are in my everyday life: real things in real time. I paint in a kind of search for understanding. What is it like to be alive and look through my eyes and think with my brain. My aim is to paint the colors and pieces of light that describe my subject, ideally to make a shift in how my viewer sees.
Artist: Monique Lazard
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Proposal: Each of these proposed designs are inspired by the fantastic community of tropical plants and birds that surround me in Coral Gables. Every day I go to the Biltmore gym and am delighted by the parrot population that live under the terra cotta tiles. I love their playful social interaction and erratic flight path. They are so much fun to watch...I thought they would also be fun to paint! Flamingo's are so exotic with a fantastic pink color becoming bright red on the back and wing. Their endless legs supporting a tiny body; a neck to match; a bill which is higher than it is wide will lend itself to the tall narrow Venetian pole shape.
Artist: Monique Lazard
I envision colorful graphic patterns to wrap around the pole on the various horizontal bands. The graphic can include any tropical flower. Pineapples are very ornamental and would also make a good graphic design. Stripes or other Venetian patterns could intermix very well to complete the Venice in the Gables theme. Title: Local Flora and Fauna 1
Artist: Monique Lazard
Title: Local Flora and Fauna 3
Artist: Justin Hayes Long
Artist: Justin Hayes Long http://www.justinhlong.com Justin Hayes Long is a third generation Miamian, born overlooking Biscayne Bay and raised along the Miami River. He received his MFA from CalArts in 2008 studying under Asher, Sekula and Gaines. Long has recently exhibited in New York, Copenhagen, Los Angeles, Philadelphia(The Fabric Workshop and Museum), Washington D.C.(American University Museum) and Miami(The De La Cruz Collection). His comedic video, In Search of Miercoles, won the Optic Nerve XII competition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami, where it is part of the permanent collection. Long is a Professor at the New World School of the Arts and co-proprietor of Long’s Motorcycle Sales. The work of Justin H. Long is an artistic investigation of the maritime world that explores the connection between cultural identity and landscape, with a strong interest in the historical, sociopolitical, aesthetic, and literary connections among contemporary society and the traditions of recreational sailing. With origins along Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida, local and international sailing culture has become Long’s point of departure. Employing a combined research and studio practice, Long co-opts the sailing community and calendar as the site and inspiration of his work. Joining social interventionist tactics with a material consideration of the traditional techniques of boat building, sail making, and manifestations of fashion, Long engages in cultural production of permanent and ephemeral artworks in multiple mediums including video, sculpture, painting, performance, writing, and situation. Ultimately, artworks resolve into the production of narratives: a deep investigation and at times critical consideration of nautical culture and its inseparability from the landscape which produces it.
Artist: Justin Hayes Long
Work Example:
Artist: Justin Hayes Long
Proposal: Loud and Proud uses historically maritime International Signal Flags to spell out “Coral Gables” on the Mooring Post. Title: Loud and Proud
Artist: Ashley Lopez
Artist: Ashley Lopez Ashley Lopez is an artist born and raised in Miami, with an interest in the idea of working with sound and creating visuals from audio. Having always had a love for art ever since she was young, but never seriously pursuing it until attending New World School of the Arts for college, she has since found her passion in her recent practice. Ashley Lopez’s current work focuses on creating imagined spaces based off a site that still function like the “noise” found in them. Influenced by the energy and mark-making of artists such as Julie Mehretu, the composition and image structure of her work is based off multiple pictures taken of the site from different perspectives, creating a “compressed”, layered version of the space. Meant to reference her own abstracted memory and a sense of nostalgia, the busy marks within them create a phasing in and out that scatter our attention the way we perceive such distracting places in everyday life.
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Proposal: To capture the colors, characteristics and presence of a passionflower in a Venetian post. Influenced not only by the Coral Gables passionflower sculpture, but also my own personal memory with these flowers.
Artist: Ashley Lopez
Title: Passionflower
Artist: Bonnie Masdeu
Artist: Bonnie Masdeu http://www.bonniesgalleries.com I started my youth in Upstate New York and attended college at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, studying Fashion Design and Illustration. I had a career in the Garment Industry starting as an illustrator and eventually designing womenswear which required traveling to work in the Orient. I moved to Miami where I met my wonderful husband and have three grown stepchildren and three grandbabies. I had created and sold handmade greeting cards using watercolor, rubber stamping and die cutting. For several years and had a small following. I created one of a kind dresses that were sold in a boutique in Coconut Grove. I had been commissioned to hand paint furniture. Currently, I am a painter and an amateur photographer. I've painted live on stage and for fundraising events. I am head of the Art Ministry at my church and we have created many murals for local schools as part of the “Love Miami” project. I was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the Department of Children and Families for creating a friendly environment for children that have been removed from their households and are waiting for emergency foster families. I usually work in acrylic paint but have been experimenting in Water Based Oil using palette knife technique. I have just joined a Palette Knife Group headed by Mai Yip. We are currently working on a collaboration of artists to create artwork illustrating Florida Mangroves to help bring awareness to the public of the beauty and important contribution that Mangroves are to our environment. I have also created artwork in gouache and currently am working on technical drawings for water color studies. I have recently created a gouache piece commissioned by the “Do Unto Others” trust that is hanging in the Humane Society in North Miami Beach. Please visit my website studio page to view previous works and works in progress www.bonniesgalleries.com For the past several years, I have taken an interest in birding and am a Member of the local Tropical Audubon Society. Because of my birding, my wildlife photography has taken off. I find that being outdoors and visiting wildlife locations has opened a magical wonderland of discovery. Please visit my Flickr page at www.flickr.com/bmasdeu . I am proud to say that I have twenty-two photos that have been selected by Flickr for a daily feed of featured photos called “In Explore”. I also like to sew and create things. Every year I volunteer at my stepdaughter’s school creating costumes, stage sets and assist students with special needs to create artwork. I also volunteer for the yearly school Fashion Show assisting with alterations. I am currently directing and coordinating a six-week series for our church creating a weekly theme painted live on stage using artists that I have selected depicting the different attributes of God. Each week, a new idea is featured. I am always learning, always creating, ever flowing and frequently volunteer my time to make the life of others around me better and more beautiful.
Artist: Bonnie Masdeu
Work Example:
Artist: Bonnie Masdeu
Proposal: I am submitting several sketch ideas. I see the mooring posts as bright and colorful depicting Tropical Florida. I want something that a person would also want at their house or place of work, or as a backdrop for tourist photos to post on social media.
Artist: Bonnie Masdeu
Title: Tutti Fruiti Tropical Beauty / Ibis
Artist: Bonnie Masdeu
Title: Tutti Fruiti Tropical Beauty / Flamingo
Artist: Grahame Menage
Artist: Grahame Menage https://www.facebook.com/grahamemenageart/ Grahame Ménage is a versatile and professional fine artist, pet portrait painter, decorative and mural artist, as well as a film scenic artist with over three decades experience. Grahame is currently creating large murals for residential and commercial clients Work Example:
Proposal: Inspired by the fundamentals of water in the natural and modern world, this unique and complex series, encapsulates the inescapable transformation of physical nature of the concept of beauty, water and natural decay. Water, however, is life, whether it be the arteries of Venice's canals or the might oceans. Each work is carefully composed according to the Renaissance "Golden Ratio" and illuminates the timelessness of water in the age of modernity and the lost age of romance.
Acrylic, canvas, epoxy resin
Artist: Grahame Menage
Title: Decomposition 2
Artist: Hiram Nunez
Artist: Hiram Nunez Graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago. Graduate of University of Chicago. Born in Cuba but came to the United States in the 1960's. My work was represented by Paul Waggoner Gallery in Chicago. On display in private collections in homes and at corporate clients. I work in multi medium from pencil, oils & acrylics to ceramic tiles and glass. Work Example:
Artist: Hiram Nunez
Proposal: Particles of glass coming together in Murano. Title: Particles of Barnacles
Artist: Rei Ramirez
Artist: Rei Ramirez http://www.reiramirezart.com I am a Cuban-born artist based in Miami, FL. I’ve always felt that I see the world differently than others, and discovered art as an escape at an early age. Ever since I was drawing crude animals on paper as a child I’ve considered myself an artist, though it’s been a long road to making fine art my profession. Being a self-taught artist I received very little formal training, aside from a painting elective course while attending college for my Bachelors degree in Graphic Design. Later on I began to participate in local events by doing live painting and received positive feedback and recognition for my work. Since then I’ve been fortunate to get opportunities to be a part of some prominent exhibitions, both solo and as part of groups. Evolution of work: The style of my art has evolved from traditional portraiture to a more modern style using a variety of mediums including acrylic paint, spray paint, woodwork, wheatpaste, airbrush and others. I still tend to incorporate elements of portraiture, nature, expressionism, fantasy art, and more recently the street art movement. My work has come to be a fusion of more traditional painting like portraiture, nature, surrealism fused with more modern street art; a style I termed Urban Organics
Work Example:
Artist: Rei Ramirez
Proposal: 2nd inspiration is more modern approach: I will paint a colorful Venetian Murano glass sculpture as the pole. Give it a colorful glass look. Murano glass sculpture are symbolic of venetian art and one of the oldest forms of art from the Venice. It would give an iconic feel to the pole. Title: Ventian Vintage era 2
Artist: George Rodez
Artist: George Rodez http://www.RodezArt.com Rodez is a self-taught artist whose strength in his diversity, allowing himself the freedom to create multiple bodies of work each vastly different from the other. Although he began his career as a mechanical engineer, art has been his passion since the age of thirteen. He now dedicates himself solely to painting and since 1992 has displayed much of his work throughout various museums and galleries nationally and internationally. In 2005, the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs awarded Rodez an Artist Enhancement grant to promote his art internationally. This propelled him to exhibit in Italy, Netherlands, numerous times in Spain and in international exhibitions across the United States. Rodez also enjoys and believes in participating to help the community by making art contributions to raise money for charitable organizations. On November 21st, 2006, U.S. Congresswoman Illeana Ros-Lehtinen recognized Rodez and stated, "The dedication shown to the arts and your involvement in fund raising for charitable organizations through your generous art contributions is truly commendable. Rodez believes that an artist should explore all of the infinite possibilities and use their artistic creativity to the maximum potential. He believes that as human beings, we are all very complex in our own unique way and we should share with others our many characteristics and emotions. He states that to live life is to feel all of these emotions and that we should use them as tools to help us live a fuller, richer and more complete life. Rodez lives through his paintings in the very same fashion. Work Examples:
Proposal: "Primavera A Coral Gables" (or Springtime in Coral Gables) is designed to reflect Florida's plush tropical climate and lifestyle as well as the colorful flowers and plants that surround us. As you discover Coral Gables, you can't help but appreciate the vast variety of flowers and vines that adorn our streets, homes, and buildings. My piece is meant to represent that as well as our bright blue days and sultry nights. My flowers and vines represent people of all races and colors coming together in unison to celebrate life as we unite to save our planet and ecological system.
Artist: George Rodez
Title: Primavera A Coral Gables
Artist: Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez
Artist: Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez http://www.rodridesigns.com Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez is a native Miami artist and designer. He believes that art is his greatest form of self-expression and individuality. Jorge-Miguel’s greatest happiness in life is being able to live each day creating and innovating new ideas. He finds inspiration from human interaction and emotions. His style varies from different mediums such as but not limited to street, pop, and abstract art. Jorge-Miguel is always excited to find new ways of expressing his dreams and ideas with the world. He believes that people have different ways of expressing themselves through art. He loves to collaborate with other artist to experience and share new ideas. Jorge-Miguel always encourages younger artists to always believe in themselves, remain positive and never stop following their dreams. Through the years, he has seen how far he has come and how much he has grown creatively. Every day he feels he has learned from yesterday and looks forward to living his life to his highest creative potential. Work Example:
Proposal: When creating the design for this piece I took some of the blue elements that are in the brick pattern layered on the floors and incorporated it into the column to give it balance. Within the piece there are gold features to give the column a pop and boldness and an essence of elegance. There is also an Alternative with a Purple Tone in Place of the blue.
Artist: Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez
Title: Regal 1
Artist: Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez
Title: Regal 2
Artist: Gilda Sacasas
Artist: Gilda Sacasas http://www.sacasas.com Gilda Sacasas is a Cuban-American born in Cuba and raised in the United States since the age of 9 years old. Sacasas is a contemporary artist whose career has spanned over 25 years. Sacasas has been developing her skills as a fine artist since childhood. Very early in life she became fascinated by the world of arts and knew this would have a major impact on the rest of her life. Gilda Sacasas a self-taught artist has spent the last twenty-five years pursuing her fascination with painting, mixed-media and ceramics. She is best known for her unique style focusing on the placement of figures and detailed color usage; Sacasas’ inspirations come from life experiences, memories and feelings that result in painting from her heart. Her work is an emotional, direct interpretation of her world, where color brings everyday stories to life – reflections she believes might tend to break “rules,” yet still convey sincerity and projecting inner spiritual peace. Sacasas is a critically acclaimed artist who has exhibited at numerous galleries, museums, institutions and private collections throughout the world. Sacasas has received critical acclaim for her award-winning exhibits, her paintings, limited editions and ceramics are in public, corporate, and private collections worldwide, including US Senate, and the Keneset in Tel-Aviv, Israel. Sacasas has been profiled in numerous national and international publications. Sacasas has also been commissioned to create pieces for Sony Music Records, The American Heart Association, The City of Pinecrest – Art in Public Places, The Biltmore International Food and Wine Festival, University of Miami, Target Stores, Martin Sprocket and Gear, Leon Health and Medical Centers, The Kiwanis Club, People en Espanol Magazine cover, Sylvester Cancer Research, Ronald McDonald House, and the League Against Cancer among many others. Over the years Sacasas has lent her talent and energy to many philanthropic causes. She has curated many exhibitions for different organizations and institutions. In 2010, she produced SOLO Art Miami Art Fair. SOLO Art Miami was an art fair to help promote and develop individual artist’s endeavors from all over the world. Sacasas resides in Miami, Florida with her husband of 42 years.
Artist: Gilda Sacasas
Proposal: My personal interest in this particular public art project is due to my love for the city of Coral Gables. Anything that adds beauty, creativity and culture to the city's aesthetics is of outmost importance to me. Every work of art has a story, and through my painting I tell a small part of what the city of Coral Gables is about.
Artist: Gilda Sacasas
Title: Memories
Artist: Eileen Seitz
Artist: Eileen Seitz http://eileenseitz.com Eileen Seitz was born in Midtown Manhattan June 28, 1951. Her artistic world began when she was eight years old. At age thirteen she won a first place award for an oil painting in a New York City street art show. At sixteen she sold her first oil painting to a New York City art dealer. She attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y studying Fine Arts in drawing, oil painting and watercolors. In 1968 she began her travels. So far St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Key West, Mexico all of Central America, Columbia, Kauai, Eleuthera, Nassau, Paradise Island, St. Marten, Tortola, Jamaica, Maui, Hawaii, Oahu, St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Anguilla, Barbados, Trinidad, Tobago, Guadalupe, Taveuni-Fyi, Bega-Fyi , England, Belgium, Amsterdam, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, Sicily, Corfu, Portugal, Spain, Montenegro, Dubrovnik, Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahiti, Raiatea, Rangiora, and Nuku Hiva, all inspired and continue to inspire ideas for new works. The Truth and Beauty of these places is overwhelming and feeds Eileen's artistic soul. In 1981 she moved to Coconut Grove, FL, 1982 began to self publish her paintings as art cards, posters, s/n limited editions and miniprints bringing her artwork to the world. Several years ago she started custom designing hand tufted, hand carved 100% as New Zealand Wool Rugs and hand painted artwork onto 100% beautiful rayon fabric. One can purchase or order these on her website. For the past 47 years, Eileen's paintings have received numerous awards, commissioned and purchased for theatre, television, national and International hotels, resorts, banks, restaurants, airports and cruise ships. Many have been chosen for art festival posters. Besides her private collectors some of her public collectors are: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Walt Disney Corp, Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize CA, Plantation Inn Hotel -Jamaica WI, Couples Resort -Jamaica WI, Md Anderson -Houston Texas, Health Central -Ocoee Florida, Caneel Bay Resort -St. Johns, Carambola Beach Resort -St. Croix, Peter Island Resort-BVI, Maho Beach Resort and Casino -St. Maarteen, Daily News Building StThomas, Radisson Blu Resort-St. Marten, Coconut Grove-Fyi-Tavenui, Fyi. and American Airlines Admirals Club, Miami International Airport, Miami Florida. La Vista + La Vista Beach Resort, St. Maarten. Some of the charities Eileen has gifted with her artworks are Miami Special Olympics, Cancer Charities, Our Pride Academy for disabled, Coconut Grove Children's Mosaic Mural, Coastal Conservation Association, Family Resource Center of South Florida, Boys and Girls Club of Miami Dade County and many more. In 2010 Eileen started teaching drawing and painting with watercolors to guests on cruise ships, She continues teaching privately and to the children at 4 different Boys and Girls Clubs in Miami Dade County as part of the MUSIC and ART CHALLENGE. Eileen welcomes and thrives with inspiration to create personal commissioned pieces for alL Always remembering where the gift comes from, Eileen loves to share this joy that she feels through the act of painting when the Spirit speaks through her brush and seeing that spirit reborn in the faces and hearts of the people who come to share her anonymous gift.
Artist: Eileen Seitz
Work Example:
Proposal: I love Venice Italy, I love Coral Gables Architecture and streets. I want to bring the tropical light, color and detail of nature onto a Venice Post, the canals, the bougainvilla, the barrel tile roofs both here and in Venice. To bring to the viewer the excellence i feel when i walk through the streets of Coral Gables. THERE is history and and beauty in both places. We have the WEATHER.
Artist: Eileen Seitz
Title: Along the Canal
Artist: Tom Spain
Artist: Tom Spain EDUCATION: Bachelor of Architecture North Caroline Stat University Master of Arts University of Miami Master of Design Harvard University TEACHER: Professor, University of Miami School of Architecture 1724-2014 Received there teaching awards voted on by students and alumni ARCHITECT: Participated in the design of buildings which received nine AIA awards and appeared in six publications ARTIST/ILLUSTRATOR: Published one book, "Drawings of Rome 1991-2001". Second book due by end of 2018. Exhibited singly on four occasions in Miami and as part of eight additional shows PERSONAL: Lives with his wife Dona in Coral Gables. Between them they have six children and ten grandchildren. Although retired from teaching he continues to paint, draw, and consult as a designer Work Example:
Artist: Tom Spain
Proposal: Global Warming and sea level rise are realities. it is our responsibility to leave this plant in better shape for future generations than we found it.
Artist: Tom Spain
Title: High Tide
Artist: Alicia Maria Vallejo
Artist: Alicia Maria Vallejo http://aliciamvallejo.com/ Alicia María Vallejo, professional Anthropologist, has found, in art and painting, a form of communion with the environment, with time and with her own experience. Her painting fosters the spirit renewal through works in which color, taste and sound acquire own harmony. Alicia Maria's work offers vivid and clean lines with a vibrant and cheerful colors, and daring compositions with contemporary touches in which it is easy to note the influence of Neo Cubism and Pop Art. Through these paintings, the artist permeates her optimistic vision and invites for a celebration of the simple and beautiful things of life.
Work Example:
Proposal: The works with which I participate in the Venice Gable project represent the serenity, wisdom, vitality, importance and greatness of the Coral Gables trees. The works are painted with the aim of respecting, conserving and persevering flora and the environment. Title: Más allá del Invierno (Beyond Winter)
Artist: Alicia Maria Vallejo
Title: Arbol del Natsukashi
Artist: Andrew Williams
Artist: Andrew Williams Andrew Williams is a Graphic Designer from New World School of the Arts in Downtown Miami. Andrew knew since the age of 9 that he had a passion for art and wanted to pursue a career in that field. Andrew likes to incorporate elements created by hand and combine them with his computer skills to create a new visual style. He also has a big sense of humor, which he likes to incorporate in his artwork because he perceives his design as a reflection of himself. If you’d like to get to know him, follow him on his social media accounts by searching for Kingboy Graphix. Remember that name, because you will hear about in the future.
Work Example:
Artist: Andrew Williams
Proposal: This piece is inspired by the colored houses in Italy. I decided to utilize the colors and vibrancy of them and incorporate that within the different layers of the pole; as if they were different houses, bringing some Venice to Coral Gables. Title: Coloured Houses 1
Artist: Andrew Williams
Proposal: Pop Venice is inspired by Pop Art. I chose to use vibrant colors along with black and white to give the pole high contrast and to make it really stand out to viewers. Title: Pop Venice
