“The City”
By Brian Velez of FIU, 18 January 2024
When you first hear about Miami, you might think about its nightlife, long beautiful beaches, and exotic foods. People’s first thought when hearing Miami is never the art or amazing museums that you can find while exploring Miami. I was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Miami when I was four. I was never the artsy type and never really enjoyed drawing or painting until I got into high school. When I was in the 10th grade, I had a field trip to the Frost Museum located downtown and this was the first time that I was introduced to the art scene in Miami. It was amazing and I remember it like it was yesterday because I was so astonished with what was going on around me.
My next experience with art was the Wynwood Walls. These walls which contain such beautiful artwork really opened my eyes to how much art is shown throughout Miami. Walking through the street and just seeing all the walls painted with such beautiful designs was mesmerizing. This encounter with art was what made me decide to go to more museums and look at more pieces of artwork throughout Miami. It really opened my eyes to how much meaning art can have.
Of course this does not mean that I am an expert in art. It is actually the complete opposite. I enjoy looking at different pieces of artwork because it makes me feel happy but I have never truly understood the meaning of art. I have also never done research into art to understand the background and also see what each piece of artwork truly means. It makes sense that Miami is one of the leading cities in the world for contemporary art but I never knew this. Contemporary art in Miami often reflects the city’s cultural diversity, with influences from Latin American, Caribbean, and other global art movements.
I have decided to take this class after listening to one of my friends speak about their experience in a similar course. Art has always peaked my interest but I have never given it the time it requires to fully understand. I decided that there is no better way to understand art than to take a course where you view art and speak about it with other people who are interested in the same thing. I am very excited to step foot into the world of art and there is no better way to do it than with those around you.
The place that I am most excited for is the Norton Museum located in West Palm Beach. The Norton Museum of Art is known for its extensive collection, featuring American, European, Chinese, and contemporary art. It also has a focus on Chinese artwork which I find very unique because of the colors used and the designs exemplified in the paintings. This museum also regularly hosts special exhibitions which feature works from renowned artists which allow guests like me to experience new pieces which you wouldn’t be able to see anywhere else in Florida.
Miami in Miami 