Category: Education

Women Photographers International Archive
Social Media Marketing Internship

STUDENT BIO
Andrea Sofia Rodriguez Matos is a senior majoring in Art History with a minor in Photography at Florida International University. Passionate for the art and culture of the Caribbean, Latin America, and the African Diaspora, she aspires to be a curator. As part of Art Society Conflict, Andrea desires to expand her knowledge in art and the history of Florida’s most vibrant city.

WHO

The Women Photographers International Archive (WOPHA) is a Miami based nonprofit organization founded in 2017 to research, promote and support the role of women, and those identified as women, in photography WOPHA intends to be a leader in the rewriting the artistic canon and provoke social change. By highlighting the contributions of women photographer to modern and contemporary art to finally give them a proper place in the history of art. Aiming to create a network of women’s photo organizations to unite voices through impactful social action and debate theoretical, ethical, and practical issues concerning women and photography. WOPHA aims to interrupt the cycle of a male-dominated industry and render visible the contemporary and historical contributions by women photographers through scholarly symposiums, exhibitions, and lectures and organizes professional development opportunities for artists.

WHY

Studying art history has granted me the privilege to work with museums, galleries and cultural institutions all of which have taught me great things about the history of art but specially an appreciation for contemporary art. However, many of the art institutions I have worked with have lacked a strong photographic presence within their collections. Personally, and academically, I have a deep love and passion for photography thus seeing that lack of representation of the medium made me wonder if I could find an internship that expanded my knowledge in it. This internship also goes hand in hand with one of my goals of becoming a curator specialized in the photography of the Caribbean therefore WOPHA’s strong Caribbean and Latinx presence simply made sense for my overall professional development.

HOW

I had already started my research prior to our introductory meeting and had made annotations of various opportunities of growth regarding WOPHA’s social media accounts. This proved to be very helpful on my first one on one zoom meeting with Ms. Delgado, which started full of hellos and introductions and by the time it was over we had talked about my previous experiences, WOPHA’s main mission, social media strategies and what my responsibilities were as one of the new interns. Ms. Delgado let me know that I would be working directly under her and was very welcoming of any and all ideas I had to give her regarding the social media accounts and listened, very carefully, to all my observations.

WHERE & WHAT

February 9^th – I was sent an email to work on a newsletter that would introduce and welcome WOPHA’s new interns. She also notified me about a Third Edition of a program they call “PhotoWalks” in partnership with Miami Design District. She told me participating of this program would give us a chance to speak in person and give me a better idea of what WOPHA’s main goal and mission is through hands on experience.

February 12 – Sent the final newsletter introducing the new interns.

February 13 – Attended the “PhotoWalks” workshop at Miami Design District from 10 am – 12pm guided by photographer Passion J. Ward. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet Ms. Delgado in person, interact with the photographers and attendees of the event.

February 15 – 25 – I was informed a few days prior that the WOPHA team would have a meeting in which I would meet the Marketing Specialist and the Community Coordinator who would clarify my upcoming assignments and duties for the following weeks. In the 10am meeting we discussed the upcoming project and campaign the organization was working on and their effective dates. They explained the main goal of my internship was to work towards WOPHA’s Inaugural Congress, which is a, first of its kind, international event that will take place at the Perez Art Museum in November 2021. Ms. Delgado asked all who attended the meeting to critique the drafts sent over by the graphic designer in charge of the Inaugural Congress’s visual identity. This was a really interesting opportunity that gave me the chance to witness the process of choosing such things.

Specifically, they took their time to explain my task for the upcoming two weeks which included organizing and updating a disperse variety of contacts lists into one excel spreadsheet. With over 2,000 contacts I had to go through each, divide them into categories such as:  Scholars, Press, Museums etc. Since some of the lists were outdated, I went through many hours of research since many of the contacts needed to be updated, emails had changed, and many had moved from jobs.

February 28 – I was sent an email to work on a press release announcing the launch of our Dialogues in Focus campaign in support of WOPHA’s inaugural congress in November. I got a brief outline of what was needed to make a successful press release and was provided with the information I needed to include in it.

March 2^nd – After working on it for two days, I sent my final draft of the press release to Ms. Delgado and the Communications Specialist for review.

March 5^th – 11 – Was sent an email to join Slack, an application that allows workplace teams to better communicate via private and group messages. I continued updating the contact lists until Ms. Delgado messaged me to join a board meeting (on March 11^th), where I could better experience their work and meeting dynamic. In this meeting the board discussed the division of panels and panelist for the WOPHA inaugural congress. There was a very interesting exchange of ideas and it was fascinating to witness and form connections with so many art professionals. That same day Ms. Delgado, Francisco Maso (Co-Founder & Creative Director of WOPHA) and I had a lovely conversation regarding a new direction of my internship. They saw that I was very invested in the work and thought my initial observations towards the social medias were worth exploring. They tasked me with creating a Social Media/Marketing Proposal that could be implemented in the coming month, specifically focused on the Instagram. They let me know that the social media should be viewed as my own project, tasked with its curation and content creation. I was very excited and got to work.

March 24 – They answered my email with a positive response to my proposal, they encouraged me to start implementing some of the ideas suggested in the document. They were considerate in commenting throughout the document and giving me deeper insight towards the best ideas and what I should focus on. They also granted me access to WOPHA’s Instagram.

March 24 – 27 – I have been accessing WOPHA’s Instagram to keep track and observe the movement, likes and overall interaction with its followers. All the information I witnessed I reported in into the proposal document. Slowly I started implementing a few of my marketing tactics and slowly we started to see an increase in engagement, followers and likes.

March 27- April 4th – I originally was going to track the progress monthly, but we saw such great progress in just one week, I decided to document it weekly. A few of the milestones I am particularly proud of was the increase of 100 followers in just one week as well as an increase in overall engagement. Ms. Delgado is extremely diligent with her feedback and comments, which helped me keep myself on task as the weeks progressed.

WHEN

Total Hours: 35

SUMMARY

As the Social Media and Marketing intern at the Women Photographer’s International Archive I had a rich and fresh experience working close to the founder of the organization. I was lucky to have been included in important meetings and trusted with important tasks, all of which have taught me many new things about the art world, how a non-profit organization runs and expanded much of what I know about photography and marketing. I have also met many women photographers, scholars and curator who specialize in photography who have taken my eagerness to learn in consideration and offered me advice. So far, the organizational and administrative direction of the internship has been very challenging but very rewarding. I believe my writing has also been put to the test, and I have been able to expand my vocabulary and explored the difference of writing academically and writing for media outlets. My social media and marketing skills have definitely been put to the test, but I feel much more confident with all the information I had and the one I acquired along the way. This internship doesn’t stop here, I was hired from February till November, and I am very excited to see what more I learn and how the coming months will plan out as we get closer to the WOPHA Inaugural Congress.

STUDENT BIO

Komila Kholmatova is a junior student at Florida International University, she is a part of Honors College and majoring in International Business with a focus on a certificate in Social Media and E-Marketing Analytics. As an international student from Uzbekistan, Komila is very excited to be a part of this course and have an opportunity to learn more about the history and the culture of beautiful Miami. After finishing her degree at FIU, Komila hopes to start up her own business. Apart from school, she likes cooking, travelling, reading and painting.

WHO

I was lucky enough to volunteer for two institutions for my service project.

The first one is the Florida International University’s Student Programming Council (SPC). SPC is a student-led organization located at both MMC and BBC campuses that organizes various events for FIU students’ community. Events vary from lectures to workshops, movie nights, concerts, shows and pool parties on regular basis. Even though the pandemic had put a big end on all the in-person events, SPC continued to program engaging virtual events and volunteering opportunities for its community. As the situation started to become better in regards to Covid-19, in-person events started to happen by following strict social distancing rules along with other policies. Thus, I was able to become a volunteer on one of their events “Pride Drag Show”.

The second institution is Castellow Hammock Preserve and Nature Center. The rich in flora and fauna Castellow Hammock is named after James S. Castellow who was a citrus farmer that declared the property of 160 acres and built his homestead in 1900. The park was opened in 1974. Today the park is a home to more than 120 birds, 70 butterflies, hummingbirds and many more other species. Castellow Hammock offers a big range of educational activities and volunteering opportunities perfect for everyone. Thanks to the park’s volunteering opportunities, I was able to become a part of their Youth Service Earth Fest.

WHY

As a thriving person for new experiences and adventures I always try to look for something that I have not done before. Even though the pandemic has significantly affected the variety of options for volunteering I am glad that I was still able to find something different like the “Pride Drag Show” and the “Youth Service Earth Fest”.

Being form a country where homosexuality is illegal- and people fear and refuse to talk about their lives and sexual orientation- I was never able to learn and understand this social dilemma regarding acceptance of LGBTQ community. Today, around 174 countries around the world socially accept LGBTQ people. Nevertheless, in Uzbekistan being a part of this community means being a criminal. Coming to this country allowed me to see perspectives that would have otherwise been shunned away from my learning growth as a compassionate human being. Thus, I decided to volunteer at the Drag to raise the awareness for the rights of LGBTQ community and show my support during the pride week at FIU.

As for “Youth Earth Fest” event at Castellow Hammock Preserve and Nature Center, I always liked everything related to nature. This specific opportunity at the park was a perfect chance for me to spend a great time outdoors and help our mother nature to be a little bit more beautiful, green and clean. As human beings take care after themselves, nature also needs to be taken care of, and only we humans can help nature by caring and beautifying it in all possible ways would it be watering or planting.  Big parks like Catellow Hammock are always open to a helping hand and this time I was glad to provide mine.

HOW

Since one of my friends, Aleksandra Baryshnikova, and me were looking for volunteering opportunities together, she referred me to the “Pride Drag Show” event. The volunteering opportunity was sent out to all FIU Honors College students and I was able to complete the sign-up form as soon as I was told about it. The event collaborated with LGBTQ initiatives and Erica Jayne Friedman, the associate director of Pride center at FIU. I am very grateful and happy for all the opportunities that Honors College provides for its student, including this amazing one. Despite pandemic, FIU is still doing its best to entertain students and create engaging big range of events.

For my second volunteering opportunity, I had to do a little research online. After visiting Miami-Dade County’s website for Volunteering and looking for what they offer, I came across “Park Service Day” and signed up right away, since it caught my attention for being held during “Earth month” and at the location that I have never attended. To sign up, I had to create account and sign a form that included parks policies and guidelines.

WHERE & WHAT

“Pride Drag Show”

On April 10^th 2021, I together with my friend Aleksandra, arrived to the GC Lawns at FIU MMC campus around 2:40 pm. The event setup had to start around 3 pm and everybody including us were gathering at the venue for about 10 minutes. After everybody has arrived, we were introduced to SPC leadership and organization team, Miss Hope- one of the students leaders- had given us a little heads up on what we were going to do. Meanwhile, before the event each of us had received event day details including timeline and task that we were assigned to do via email. Every volunteer received a T-shirts and event tag that included the QR-code for the event’s details and additional information. After changing, we got into work. First, we had to set up tables and wrap them up, and check that chairs were set 6 feet apart. We also packed and distributed giveaway bags at several tables around the venue and organized food and drinks at the tables. All preparation and setting up took about 2-2.5 hours.

Guests started to arrive around 5 pm. We had different tables to entertain guests, like DIY resin keychain table, food and drinks table, a mask painting table, table of giveaways, and Pride flags and pins. Aleksandra and I were assigned to distribute food and drinks to the guests. While giving away food we met a lot of new FIU students and I was happy to meet some of my friends that I did not see for long time. The show started around 6:30 pm, and luckily we had chance both to volunteer and enjoy the show itself, since our table was right next to the stage we were able to watch it from the beginning to the end. 

This was my first time witnessing a Drag Show and it was insanely incredible. I was completely delighted by the performance of the Drag Queens and astonished about how mobile and charismatic they are. Everybody had so much fun, they danced, laughed, played games and at times screamed saying “YAS QUEEN” by raising the index finger of the hand as a supportive sign to the Drag Queens. As the show ended, guest started to leave and we volunteers started to clean up and wrap up food leftovers. After finishing cleaning we brought all the tables and equipment used for the events back into the SPC office and headed home around 10 pm.

“Youth Service Earth Fest”

On April 17^th I arrived to Castellow Hammock Park in the early morning at 8:45 am. We had to clock in as soon we arrived to confirm our service hours later on. As people started to arrive and it was 9:00 am, the introduction presentation started, and the Park’s Ranger Mr. Erik King described our plan for the day. Since April is the Earth month, our cleanup was named Earth Fest to encourage people to sign up and help our Earth to become a better and a cleaner place to live.  There were around 15 volunteers of all different ages gathered for the park clean up. We were divided in several groups and assigned different task in order to keep social distancing- and be able to assist park in variety of work. Our group consisted of three people and our working area was the butterfly garden. We were given work gloves and other working tools like hedge shears, pruning shears and wheelbarrow.

We pulled out wild plants and weeds that damage the garden and eventually attract insects that might harm the butterflies. During the 2.5 hours we also cut the bushes and tried to shape them in a beautiful circled shape. My favorite part of the work was creating a path by cutting branches through an overgrown garden, unfortunately we were not able to finish the entire path, since the garden was large, but we managed to get to the middle of it. As it was only 3 hours shift, the time flew by so fast and we did not even notice that it was 11:30 am and our shift was coming to an end.

At the end of the service, every volunteer was given a free lunch brought from the local café, Mango, as a token of appreciation for the help provided to the park. It was an amazing ending of the service, since we did not only enjoy eating our lunch but simultaneously we learned about the endangered Miami Blue Butterfly through park’s documentary   that was broadcasted for us through YouTube.

 WHEN

SUMMARY

I am beyond grateful for every single opportunity that comes towards my way to help our society, nature and world. Honors College volunteering should not be taken for granted because it is a portal that brings the most positive and brightest character traits out in every person. I am very glad that I was able to engage and raise awareness regarding the community, social and global issues throughout world thanks to my honors courses. I appreciate that I was able to participate in the Pride week event and show my support and appreciation to the LGBTQ community in our society and attend the Earth clean up service.

I sincerely believe that there is more goodness than evilness in the world, and in order to keep the balance on the side of good, us people must stop at some point and forget about our problems and do something good that will help our friends, our neighbors, our nature or people that are in need of help. When I was a little girl, my grandfather used to say to me that “If every person in this world would plant a fruit tree next to their house-our air would become less polluted and those trees could feed thousands of hungry stomachs”. By mentioning that I meant that each of our help to the environment, society and nature matters and only by sticking together, raising social issues, participating in such volunteering events and even doing something little that will bring smile on someone’s face will help us to make our world a better, safer and cleaner place to live!  

CITATION

Communications, Florida. “Student Programming Council – Get Involved Student Affairs – Florida International University – FIU”. Studentaffairs.Fiu.Edu, 2021, https://studentaffairs.fiu.edu/get-involved/student-programming-council/. Accessed 20 Apr 2021.

“Castellow Hammock Preserve & Nature Center”. Https://Www.Southfloridafinds.Com/, 2021, https://www.southfloridafinds.com/park/fl/miami-dade/miami/castellow-hammock-preserve-nature-center.html. Accessed 20 Apr 2021.

Student Bio

Howdy! My name is Esmeralda Iyescas and I currently am a senior at Florida International University Honors College, majoring in Information Technology. Though I am a STEM major, I love the arts, cuisine, literature, and learning about new cultures. I was born and raised in Miami, Florida but my background is Franco-Nicaraguan. Prior to taking Miami in Miami, I would like to have considered myself as someone who was familiar with their hometown, but I soon realized, there is much of Miami that I took for granted. There is a rich history and many stories that come to life when you uncover Miami’s past. Part of my mission to reconnect with Miami, I chose to learn and research Hialeah since it’s a neighborhood I am not familiar with. Nonetheless, I spent a lot of time in the area to discover its history and beauty.

Geography

Hialeah is also commonly referred to as the “City of Progress” because of the major changes and improvements it has gone through since the 1920s when it was first founded. With this growing city, it is reported by the World Population Review that Hialeah spans over 23 miles, making it the 6th largest city in Florida. Hialeah neighbors Hialeah Gardens and Miami Springs to its left and Miami Lakes, Opa-Locka, West Little River, and Brownsville to its right. Though Hialeah has a multitude of parks in its vicinity, it is primarily an industrial city with a lot of commercial and community centers, as well as small owned businesses. From the 2010 United States Census, Hialeah reported to have 22.3 square miles and about 21.5 of those square miles is land, leaving the rest to be water. Naturally, it would be very difficult for Hialeah to have more areas of water with a city so densely populated and flooded with businesses and areas for industrial work.

Hialeah is a very widespread and densely populated neighborhood with over 10,000 people per square mile. These statistics result in Hialeah being one of the largest neighborhoods in the United States and the biggest in Miami.

History

Though Dade county was founded in 1936 by the famous Major Francis L. Dade, Hialeah only was added to this county in 1925. This decade was crucial to the development of Hialeah because many of the area’s pioneers began developing the city. 

Glenn Curtiss was an immensely rich and powerful man who came to Hialeah in the early 1920’s and bought acres of land to help build parks, buildings, and most importantly a racetrack. These implementations helped the city grow but the acquisition of the racetrack would bring Hialeah a lot of monetary funds to help sustain the wealth within the city. Because he was very business savvy, he imported logs into the city which he would then donate to create the first school in the area of Hialeah. 

In 1922, Mary Glick, a very influential woman came to Hialeah from Pittsburgh and began by opening the very first restaurant, hotel, and meat market in the neighborhood. Her hotel, Glick Hotel, was the first two story building in Hialeah which was very audacious during that time period. Even though she was not a very educated woman, she had a lot of grit and perseverance that allowed her to acquire properties and continuously contribute to the expansion of Hialeah which we know today. 

Similar to Glick, the first Cubans recorded in Hialeah came in the 1930’s and began their business ventures with little education and money. Nonetheless, they were able to found the first cigar company in the city and would be considered one of the “true pioneers”. 

In the 1960’s, during Fidel Castro’s revolution, many Cubans fled their homeland and arrived in Miami where they began buying properties in Hialeah. Today, 74% of the population of Hialeah is made up by Cubans. This percentage is equivalent to about 200 thousand people! Much like the Cubans, other Latin and Central American immigrants came to Hialeah escaping communism, civil wars, and violence within their countries. Though Hialeah is known for its high-density Cuban population, Hialeah houses a large number of Nicaraguan and Colombian citizens. 

As much as Hialeah is often overlooked, this city represents a place of ‘home’ for these people who fled their homelands in hopes for a better future. These are the kinds of people who helped pioneer the city and allowed it blossom into the magnificently diverse city it is today.

Demographics

The demographic recorded for Hialeah reported by Point2homes, 23% of the population is not US born and 77% of those people are not citizens of the United States. Additionally, StatisticalAtlas reported that over 90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino, leaving the rest to be split between White or Black Americans. Of these Hispanics, 74% are Cubans, making it the neighborhood with the highest percentage of Cuban-Americans in all of the United States. Next, Colombians are the second largest Hispanic community in Hialeah. Leaving Dominicans, Hondurans, and Nicaraguans make up the rest of the Hispanic communities that are found in the neighborhood. Consequentially, Hialeah is the neighborhood with the largest Non-White Population in all of Miami. 

Hialeah has a significantly higher female to male ratio, especially from the 50 to 85+ age cohorts. The neighborhood is also primarily made of older adults, resulting in the median age being 46, in the mid to late 40’s. 

Overall, about less than 30% of the population lives below the poverty line, making the median income $35,000 and the average income $49,000. In addition, the education statistics for Hialeah is approximately 63% of citizens having some to no high school education and the next majority having only some college education. Conversely, many of the demographic statistics do not consider the fact that many immigrants had prior education from their countries of origin. These statistics poorly reflect the education level of the residents because many started their own small businesses and other entrepreneurial ventures from prior experience. 

Since Hialeah is the most densely populated neighborhood in Miami, the primary mode of transportation is by car. This accurately justifies the large conglomeration of people and heavy congestion in the streets of the neighborhood.

Interview with Hialeah Resident:

Adriana is woman who was born and raised in Hialeah. She currently resides in the area Hialeah for about 40 years. I was able to interview her while we were waiting for our orders from the S & N Vegetable “ventanita” cafe.

E: Can you please give me a small introduction of yourself?

A: Hi, my name is Adriana. I am a Cuban-American in my mid 40s and have been born and raised in Hialeah.

E: What brought you to Hialeah?

A: My parents and grandparents were the first to come here on the Mariel Boatlift in the 80’s. They came escaping Cuba’s political oppressions.

E: Favorite thing about living in Hialeah?

A: I love the sense of community and culture we have in this city. We take care of each other and are always trying to better the city. This city is so friendly and welcoming to others.

E: Something you feel can be improved about Hialeah?

A: The local government, nonetheless, we are working on it as a community to make sure that local government take care of the residents of the area.

E: Any final thoughts or comments you would like to share?

A: I love Hialeah! This is my home, and it is a great place to raise a family. The local people are so loving and caring of each other. Hialeah is also a great place to start a business because this city is built on people fulfilling dreams and creating mom and pop shops.

Landmarks

Entrada Plaza Park

Hialeah’s Entrance Park is also known as the ‘Fountain of Hialeah’ because of the grandiose fountain that sits in front of the building. The landmark as a whole was created to welcome all who come and visit the great city of Hialeah. In the 1980s and 90s, the building stood alone and was made of coral. In 2005, The local government passed a 411-thousand-dollar budget for the restoration project that would renovate the façade of the building. The building was changed to look more Mediterranean in order to match the Hialeah’s theme of Mediterranean Revival which was used in founding Hialeah during the 1920s. 

I personally think that the flamingo on the fountain in addition to the Mediterranean revival style architecture is a beautiful landmark. It stands out and welcomes who enter the remarkable city of Hialeah.

Hialeah Park Racing & Casino

During 1926, a devastating hurricane swept the land of Hialeah and destroyed much of the work and infrastructure that Glick and Curtiss helped build. Later in 1931, one of the wealthiest families in America at the time, the Wideners, bought the destroyed racetrack Curtiss had built and reestablished the Hialeah Park we know today. Joseph Widener built the horse racing park using Mediterranean revival architecture styles and implementing the grandiose European staircase. Since he loved the sunny winters of Florida, he added Royal palm trees and flamingos to give it an exotic and tropical feel. This creation attracted a lot of attention from celebrities around the world and helped the city establish a reputation of wealth and fame. 

Joseph Widener brough over 2,000 works of art, that included Rembrandt, Vermeer, Renoir, Monet, and more. Unfortunately, masterpieces are now housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. 

The Hialeah Park lost much of its traction during the early 2000’s. This led the park to face great financial difficulties, but in 2009, the Hialeah Park was given a large sum of money to invest towards a restoration project. This project used a significant amount of the budget to implement a Casino which would render it to be very financially useful. 

The Hialeah Park Racing & Casino is significantly bigger in person!  I was surprised by how well kept the whole area was considering the vast number of acres is owned by the park and how big the casino is. The casino itself is truly magnificent because of the European-styled building which is complemented by the grandiose fountain at the entrance. The flora that surrounds is also very admirable because there were various species of plants and flowers that gave the Mediterranean style building a more tropical look. Personally, I think this casino is a must see if anyone visits Hialeah.

JFK Public Library

The JFK Public Library first opened its doors to the Hialeah residents during July of 1965. The reason for being constructed was because the Hialeah population was rapidly increasing; There was only one library, but it was being outgrown by the city. This library was created by a group of women in the 20’s that wanted to start their own book club. These women saw the value of having an institution that would offer book collections, host civic events, and encouragement of furthering their education in culture, arts, and a plethora of other subjects to the local residents.

The official creation of the building was when the first local library, Lua A. Curtiss Public Library, became much too small to serve the entire community. This resulted in the women wanting a dedicated building for the ever-growing committee of Hialeah. Luckily, they were able to restore a water tower and fire station in order to turn it into the JFK Public Library we know today. 

Though JFK Public Library was not the first one built in the city, it is now considered to be the only central branch, making it so that the others are only e-libraries. It has been the governing branch since 1965, during its inaugural welcome to the neighborhood.

One thing I personally love and admire about this public library are the murals that were added to the building during 2015-2017. I find that the murals add a lot of personality and vibrancy to the building, permitting it to stand out and admire it whenever you drive by it.

Green

Amelia Earhart Park

Amelia Earhart park is easily one of the largest parks in South Florida. The park has over 500 acres of land, 90 acres of lake, and 8 miles of mountain bike trials. With this much space, the park offers amenities and activities of all types for every age group to enjoy, which is unlike any park in Miami. The park offers water activities such as wakeboarding, paddle boarding, wake surfing, waterskiing, and more. For children, they have a gigantic playground and an animal farm where they can interact with all sorts of animals in a safe and controlled environment. The park also has a designated area reserved for dogs and their owners to enjoy called the “Bark Park”. The park is extensive, and the list could go on and on of activities for the public to enjoy. 

The park used to once pertain to the Naval Air Force Station in the early 1900s. Once the Naval Station was no longer in use, the park was transformed into the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. Since the Naval Air Station had an extensive amount of land, it was perfect for an Airport to be built. Several leaders from the community fought for part of the property. Their efforts were not fruitless because the Naval Air Station decided to donate half of the park to the city in order for a park to be built.  

Amelia Earhart was a famous female aviator who attempted to fly around the world. During 1937, she departed from Miami-Opa Locka Airport as her second and final attempt to fly around the world. In memory of her courageous and adventurous attempt, the park for the land was named after her in 1947. But the park itself officially opened its doors to the public in 1980.  

I would have to say that this park is by far one of the best parks I have ever visited! I am an avid park-goer and love the outdoors, so seeing everything this park had to offer was so crazy. If i lived closer to the area of Hialeah, I would definitely spend a lot of time at Amelia Earhart Park, but unfortunately, it is quite far from my place of residence. Nonetheless, I do highly recommend everyone to at least visit the park at least once because you truly will not be disappointed since they have something for everyone.

Babcock Park

Babcock Park was originally named Hunter Lyon park. Hunter Lyon was a very wealthy and influential man who had connections with Joseph Widener, the current owner of the race track at the time. Being the influential man that he was, Lyon founded one of the oldest community centers and parks in Hialeah in 1938. Later, the park was renamed Babcock because of a young marine named Benny Babcock who lost his life serving our country during World War II. The City of Hialeah made the change in 1940 and created a plaque that would commemorate all local residents who enlisted and were valiantly killed in action. 

Babcock park is particularly important to the Hialeah community because they were the first to implement a public swimming pool and now offer 7 baseball fields and tennis, racquetball, and basketball courts. Additionally, Babcock Park hosted many of the local school graduation and dances, as well as other types of personal ceremonies for the community since it is at the epicenter of Hialeah.

Milander Park

Milander Park was named after a Henry Milander who came to Hialeah in 1924 from Pennsylvania. When he arrived, he found Hialeah to be a land full of potential since it was all mostly farmland and empty land with a few thousand residents. After the infamous 1926 Hurricane, he opened up a small butcher shop and was known to generous by feeding the impoverished locals. Since he was creating this image for himself, in 1935, he ran for public office as Mayor of Hialeah. He would win 15 consecutive terms and be known as “The People’s Mayor” for all of his efforts to help Hialeah flourish.

Milander Park officially opened in 2013 and was named after Henry Milander since his beneficial impact on Hialeah. He also opened one of the largest Municipal Pools in 1959, which is still present today. The park offers a lot of amenities to the public but is particularly known for their football Stadium.

The park may not offer as many amenities as Amelia Earhart, but their football stadium, basketball fields, and indoor recreational center is astonishing. The entire vicinity is well kept and have round the clock employees making sure the park and its maintenance is up to standards.

Transportation

Miami is known to have a serious transportation issue due to the density of the city. In almost every neighborhood, throughout most of the day, the traffic is extremely heavy and the congestion within the streets is a literal nightmare. As previously mentioned throughout the report, Hialeah is the densest neighborhood in Miami, therefore, the traffic is particularly worse here. Hialeah unfortunately carries a bad reputation due to the poor drivers and the heavy congestion. The heavy traffic congestion is a result from poor public transportation.

Personal motorized vehicles

Based on the statistics from Point2homes, over 94% of the residents in Hialeah rely on their cars as their primary method of transportation. Since almost all of the locals use their automobiles to get around the city, this causes a lot of traffic on the roads. Obviously, a personal vehicle offers more comfort, convivence, and reliability, but unfortunately, this is detrimental to the circulation issues we face and to the pollution that is emitted in the air.

When considering how widespread and large the city of Hialeah is compared to other neighborhoods in Miami, public transportation is not ideal for commuters because of the limited methods and stops available.

Metrobus

The next popular means of transportation is bus. In Hialeah, a little more than 1% of the population relies on the public bus for transportation which is incredibly small. Unfortunately, the demands for public bus in this area is not present and I think is primarily due to the large concentration of people who prefer to commute via personal automobiles. It is important to mention that these statistics are not unusual because Miami is not known for having a reliable method of public transportation. Nonetheless, comparing these demographic statistics with other neighborhoods in Miami, Hialeah has a higher percentage of residents who use public bus.

Bike/ Walking

In the City of Hialeah, commuting via. bus and bike or walking are approximately equivalent. I happened to notice that there were a lot more bike riders than pedestrians. However, with the Florida heat and the sun blaring most of the year, it is completely reasonable to not have as many pedestrians compared to bikers. In addition, the layout of Hialeah makes it really difficult to commute as a pedestrian or a biker because it is far spread. The small percentage of bikers and pedestrians is ultimately a lack of public transportation in the city.

Eateries

Charlie Ice Cream

Charlie’s Ice Cream is located on 510 Hialeah Dr, which is a very historic strip in Hialeah. Hialeah Dr was filled with shopping centers and businesses during the 40’s and 50’s, which is quite impressive when considering that Miami was still in a development phase during that time. This location was built in 1952 and has gone unchanged since then. For that reason, Charlie’s Ice Cream stands out among the rest of the shops and businesses in the area because it was built during a different time period where the culture was dramatically different.

Initially, the building was built for Dairy Queen, another ice cream shop, and the business had a lot of success until it shut down in the late 90’s early 2000s. The building went abandoned and unoccupied until Charlie’s Ice Cream took over in 2015 and is ran by a family who are locals to the Hialeah community. They decided to leave the building as it was because they appreciated the history of the location and building. The ice cream parlor is still currently run by the same family and take pride in serving delicious ice cream at very affordable prices.

I had the pistachio ice cream in a waffle cone, and I will just say… It was the best ice cream I have had in a really long time. The flavor and creaminess of the ice cream was out of this world, plus there was whole pieces of pistachio, which I personally really enjoyed. The waffle cone was also really nice because it was crunchy and super tasty. I would recommend this small ice cream parlor to anyone who visits Hialeah.

Los Tres Monitos

Los Tres Monitos translates to “the three monkeys” in English from Spanish. This is an authentic Colombian bakery that was founded in 1979. It is one of the first and oldest Colombian bakeries in Hialeah. The reason why the bakery is called “Los Tres Monitos” is because it was originally founded by three Colombian brothers. The original family opened the bakery because they wanted to share their traditional Colombian pastries and treats with the community. Like the Cubans, many Colombians fled their homeland because of political reasons and to escape the violence and crime occurring as a result of the drug cartels.

After having owned the bakery for 27 years, the original family finally sold the bakery several years ago to a Colombian man in order to retire. The new owner has to uphold the same quality of food and service that was originally brought by the three brothers.

I tried a “pan de bono”, a typical Colombian bread that is primarily made of the cassava root and cheese. I was able to pan de bono which was pretty good. It is safe to assume many people also find the baked goods to be delicious considering they were almost sold out on most of their breads and pastries.

S & N Vegetable

S & N Vegetables is a little hole-in-the-wall or “ventanita” styled cafe located in Hialeah. Ventanita comes from the word “ventana” in Spanish meaning window. The concept for these styled cafes is where people can get down and quickly order without having to enter the establishment. S & N Vegetables was founded in 1982 and is still currently owned and operated by the Alvisa family. Like Adriana’s family, the young woman that I interviewed, the Alvisa family came to Hialeah on the Mariel boatlift escaping their oppressive political regimes. After arriving, the Alvisa family began selling fruits and vegetables at the local Hialeah flea market until they saved up $1800 dollars to begin their business venture. The family created a successful establishment that has allowed them to serve Hialeah’s local community for over 30 years! 

S & N Vegetables has created itself quite an iconic reputation for selling the freshest juices and shakes because is known as “El Mejor Batido de Hialeah” meaning “Hialeah’s best shakes”. All the local Hialeah residents seem to agree because when I entered the cafe to order my own shake, every single person had at least one shake in their hands (I am quite literally not exaggerating). 

I ordered their best seller shake, “batido de Mamey”, and it was by far the best shake I have had in a long time! The only real competition I feel S & N Vegetables has in regard to shakes is Robert Is Here Fruit Stand, located in Homestead. Nevertheless, I would recommend to everyone that they try at least a shake from S & N Vegetables because the shake was very affordable, and the freshness and quality is unlike any other. 

Businesses

Morro Castle

Morro Castle is one of the oldest establishments that is still open today and is currently ran by the same original owners. I had the privilege of meeting and speaking to the owner of Morro Castle and learned a lot about the history of Hialeah and his personal establishment.

The owner came from Cuban with his brothers because their business was being halted from the corruption and socialist political system. They left everything behind and took their previous experience to start fresh and attempt at opening new businesses in the States. They officially opened several establishments during the early 60s and their business ventures were rendering to be quite successful. Unfortunately, the other brothers ended up selling their establishments and this is the only one remaining from their family. Nevertheless, he takes pride in serving the community authentic Cuban food at affordable prices.

I asked him why he chose to name the restaurant Morro Castle, and he replied that it is one of the most beautiful and remarkable landmarks in Cuba with a lot of rich history. He further explained that many Cubans love the Morro Castle and he wanted to give the locals a beautiful reminder of their homeland which they cherish deeply.

I tried the “frita” which is a typical Cuban dish that is similar to an American hamburger. The frita is Cuban-styled burger that can be made with ground beef patty, pork, chorizo, or a combination of the three. The frita also differs from traditional American burgers because it has sautéed onions and is topped with the signature shoestring potato fries. That is the reason why it is called frita, which means fried in Spanish, is because of the shoestring potatoes fries. This really differentiates it from a traditional burger and gives it its iconic taste like no other.

Ñooo Que Barato

Ñooo Que Barato loosely translates to English from Spanish as”No way, so cheap”. The reason for this is because Ñooo Que Barato literally sells anything you can possibly fathom at ridiculously low prices. This small owned shop is located in a warehouse corner on W 23rd St and W 12th Ave. The Blanco family opened this store in 1996 and still currently own and operate it.

In 1967, Mr. Serafin Blanco came to this country alone at the age of 16 and began working in a textile factory. While working in the factory, he observed the growing Cuban community in Hialeah and wondered why nobody was making clothes for these people. He saved money and in 1992 he opened a little store that was tailored specifically for the Cuban community. Only a couple of years after opening his small store, the “Balsero” crisis broke out, which essentially the largest emigration of Cubans fleeing their country and arriving to the United States. With this surge of Cuban immigrants, Mr. Blanco seized the opportunity and saw the potential for an expansion on his small store. That is when he finally opened Ñooo Que Barato which is now an iconic establishment within the local Hialeah community.

La Viña Aragon

La Viña Aragon, like many of the other small business in Hialeah, was founded in the early 80’s since the Cuban owners came via the Mariel boatlift. It is currently still owned by the same family and specialize in serving authentic Cuban homestyle food. The restaurant has a lot of similarities with the other small owned businesses in the area because of their “ventanita”, classic cuban dishes, and taking cash as their form only of payment. The restaurant is located on the corner of W 8th Ave and 81st St. The little restaurant can be easily missed because it is tucked away in a little local shopping center, but to the local residents, this cafe stands out from the crowd. Some of the regular locals argue that La Viña Aragon sell the best “pan con vaca frita” or “pan con bistec” sandwiches in all of Hialeah. These typical Cuban sandwiches consist of either shredded meat or a beef steak in between a piece of Cuban bread that is generous smeared with mayo and topped with potato sticks, lettuce, and tomatoes.

I ordered their last piece of fried pork belly or “chicharron” which I found to be absolutely delicious. The meat was soft and tender and gave me very Homestyle cuisine vibes. While I was observing the indoor portion of the cafe, I happened to notice that nearly everyone was eating some form of sandwich accompanied with either a “Cafecito” or fresh juice. One of the last things that I was able to appreciate and admire was the college degree that was hung proudly at the entrance of their establishment. Though the owners fled their homeland and did not arrive to Hialeah with much, they have been able to get an education and start a very successful business with a lot of hard work and determination.

Summary

Hialeah is a neighborhood that is definitely underrated and overlooked. Though it may appear to be dominated by the Cuban culture, there is a wide array of other cultures that come together to give it that sense of “Latin community”. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize those brave Cubans who chose to flee their country and start a new here in Miami because they are the reason why Hialeah has been able to flourish into the beautiful city that it is today. I was pleasantly surprised to find a neighborhood that is flooded with so many small and family-owned businesses. I think this is one of the main reasons why Hialeah has such a strong sense of community and why all the residents are helpful and friendly. Though Miami is known for the outrageous parties on the beach and the boisterous nightclubs, it is also home to many immigrants who helped shape and cultivate this city to be accepting of all the different cultures and ethnicities.

Citations

https://hialeahparkcasino.com/about/history

https://www.facebook.com/hialeahlove1925/?ref=page_internal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_E._Widener

https://statisticalatlas.com/county-subdivision/Florida/Miami-Dade-County/Hialeah/Race-and-Ethnicity

https://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/FL/Hialeah-Demographics.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hialeah,_Florida#Demographics

https://www.hialeahfl.gov/740/Milander-Park

As I travel through space and time on this rock we call Earth, I hope to partake in as many riveting experiences as I can. Currently studying biology at FIU, my dream is to research different ecosystems around the nation and hopefully the world. The realization that we have such a short amount of time to experience our lives has driven me to learn about new philosophies and new outlooks on life. I believe this course will allow me to appreciate my home city of Miami in a new light, acknowledging the untold histories and unspoken forms of expression evident through the constant change Miami endures. I strive to make everyday an adventure.

Deering as Text

“Take Care Not to Burn Your Bridges” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at the Deering Estate on September 9, 2020

Before South Florida has become the cultural epicenter it is today, Charles Deering made his home in what is now known as Cutler Bay. Surrounded by the lush green jungle that is the pine rocklands and wetlands, he erected a lone bridge to aid him cross a creek on his evening walks around his estate. Unbeknownst to him, the bridge has become a symbol of much more.

As the lands of Florida were developed, the natural flow of water from the Okeechobee was greatly disturbed. The creek that this bridge was built over had now disappeared. The bridge stood for years as a glimpse of what used to be. It was not until recently, scientists have been able to restore this flow of water through the use of new technologies (Staletovich, Wetland). As a research assistant currently studying the effects the draining of the Everglades have done to the native flora and fauna, it brought joy to my heart to know that there is a chance for change.

During our time at the estate, we were asked what art meant to us. This question resonated with me as I took this course to try and understand what art can mean to me. I still wouldn’t be able to give a clear answer but the bridge came to mind. Built by the hands of black men on land they were eventually restricted from inhabiting, in an ode to an architectural style that originated halfway across the world, now standing as a testament to the past and how man is able to correct the wrongs of his elders; I believe nothing in the estate truly encapsulates what art can mean than the Chinese Bridge.

I can’t help wonder what others in the early 1900s must have felt when coming across the bridge. In the middle of what was then nowhere, stands a brightly colored bridge with intricate designs reminiscent of a distant land. It is evident Charles Deering tried to bring different aspects from around the world to his home. I wish I could ask the men building it what they thought. It amazes me how much can change in only 100 years.

Source: Staletovich, J. Urban wetland at Deering Estate offers glimpse at successful Everglades restoration. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article1962423.html.

South Beach as Text

“The Drug Store Massacre” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at South Beach on September 23, 2020

When I was about ten years old, one of the scenes that was forever imprinted in my mind from Scarface was the chainsaw bathroom scene. I believe it was that scene that set the tone for the rest of the film. The story of a man in search of the American Dream is a story that hits close to home for many Cubans that have migrated to Miami. You would imagine that a movie that has brought so much attention to Miami would be celebrated.

As we walked down Ocean Drive, the streets told stories of a time before. Light blues and curved lines, reminiscent of the ocean waves. Wide buildings structured like cruise ships. The buildings gave me a sense of optimism from the past, the buildings were designed to be an everlasting aesthetic. A prediction of the future from the past. The neon accents that outline the strong lines at night add to the sense of modernity. For the most part, each building was designed to stay.

The trend continued until we came across a CVS. The building was a flat and dull structure. There was no idea being expressed, no lines to move your eyes, no colors to elicit emotion. The developers completely rejected the South Beach design, it was a disrespect to those who had a vision for the future of Miami. Then as we approach the building, in a small corner away from view reads a sign. “This scene depicts the chainsaw massacre (from Scarface) and is a world famous Hollywood Landmark.” To add insult to injury, they have transformed what housed an iconic scene in film to an incorporated drug store.

It seems that this theme of disregarding the past is prevalent in the development of Miami. The entirety of this city is based on the destruction of wildlife and homes of minorities. The history of Miami is a history of massacres. This class continues to open my eyes to the reality of this world and how humans have so recklessly altered it.

Bakehouse as Text

“Sea of Change” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at the Bakehouse Art Complex on October 7, 2020

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution scientists have warned the public of the dangers of the American lifestyle. Thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted daily by human activity. Whether through the use of cars or from industry, these greenhouse gases have settled into the ocean. With unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the ocean has begun to acidify. With such rapid change in ocean chemistry, many organisms are at risk. Corals have been one of the biggest groups affected by ocean acidification.

As a student focusing on environmental biology, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the science of global warming. Constantly reading articles and studies about the harm humans have done to the planet, at times one can feel hopeless. Speaking with Lauren Shapiro made me realize how inclusive science can be. I have always appreciated music and art, but never tried to combine it with my love for science. I believe there is so much ground that can be covered this way. It was inspiring to hear from artists bringing awareness to heal our local ecosystems.

The best way to seek support from all walks of life is to find something everyone can connect to. Lauren’s project is a means to connect with the public. There aren’t many opportunities when one can have a hands-on experience like this project allows. Being a direct part of an art piece inspires people to take part in art projects of their own and makes the topic in focus fun and digestible to the everyday person. As we were able to recreate a coral reef system using molds crafted from real corals, I wanted to learn more about these beautiful creatures.

As Lauren stated, scientists and artists can gain a lot from each other. A collaboration of knowledge at this scale can produce life changing results. I hope to do something similar with science in my future. My goal is to lead research initiatives in different parts of the world, while connecting with local artists. I hope I can spread my message of conservation wherever I go with the community through song or visual art, motivating the youth to pursue a life in the arts and sciences.

Rubell Museum as Text

“Rude Boys on Ice” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at the Rubell Museum on October 21, 2020

When I first saw this piece, I immediately thought of the two-tone ska movement of the 1980s. Black and white photographs of men dancing in full suits were a staple of this genre. The “rude boy” aesthetic became synonymous with the entrancing upstrokes of ska guitar. The most famous dance of this scene was the skank, a march-like dance in which the body would swing along to the music. Circular mosh pits filled with skankers was a common sight in this scene.

As I read about the artists thoughts behind this piece, I tried to put myself in his shoes.  My interpretation of the piece is that Robert Longo was trying to capture the commotion and kinetic energy behind music. His whole approach to this piece was similar to the way one would write a song.

This piece opened my mind to the true meaning of violence. What is the true definition of violence? Where is the line drawn when an act is seen as violent or expressive. From the outside a mosh pit may seem like a cesspool of anarchy and hate. Once you are in, it feels like a natural flow of energy. The movements are an extension of the song. I believe these pictures are meant to highlight the relationship between man and violence.

This trip to the art museum was an unexpected experience. I have never really sat down and observed art to try and understand its meaning. I would like to immerse myself in more similar conversations. Hearing how others view things and often times the world can open one’s mind to new outlooks. I hope to view things more like an artist in my life.

Deering Hike as Text

“The Dead and Mounded” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at the Deering Estate on November 4, 2020

The incessant rains and hurricane force winds that hit the coast of south Florida make it almost impossible to give current Floridians an idea of how life before colonization was. Luckily for historians and appreciators of Florida’s history, the nomadic Tequesta tribe have offered a peak into their lives. In the Deering Estate Nature Reserve stands a large oak tree towering over a large mound.

Photo of Tequesta Burial Mound by Jesse Velazquez

The mound holds over ten bodies of tribal members, all forming a circle. In a time when energy was conserved because one’s next meal was never promised, it took the manpower of at least 15 men to form this hill and bury the dead.

I find it extremely powerful that the members of the Tequesta tribe decided to plant an oak tree at the top of the mound. Whether they transplanted an already developed tree or placed a seed to be nourished by the decomposing bodies of their fallen members, an understanding of the cycles of nature and giving back to the land that provides to them is obviously present. I believe this was a site of prayer or ritual practice. I am sure this became a place of contemplation, possibly a place of gratitude for the seasons and good weather. The tree grows up and out to the sun. Oak trees are some of the biggest trees in south Florida.

Such a sacred monument to their elders tells a lot of the morals of the Tequesta tribe. Unlike many depictions of native Americans as savage warriors ravaging lands, the mound shows that they mourned their lost brothers and sisters. They reflected on their lives and the significance of family. I believe we have much to learn from our past.

Downtown Miami as Text

“The Hand That Feeds, Also Kills” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at Downtown Miami on November 25, 2020

The more I learn of Miami and the world, the more I realize the extent to which humans have taken it upon themselves to completely alter it. I sometimes forget that places like New York City and downtown Miami were once thriving ecosystems full of flora and fauna. As the professor mentioned, I tried to truly immerse myself into the world that was before. I like to imagine a time-lapse of the land. A land devoid of concrete structures, covered in green. I wonder what the natives thought when they saw the Spanish ships of Ponce de Leon land on their shores. It would have impossible to imagine that in a few centuries their lands will be tainted with buildings replicating the architecture of this distant land. The influence these “visitors” have completely overshadow that of the original inhabitants. Paths that have been used for hundred of years will be renamed as streets of the white man. Statues will be erected glorifying these white men, giving no appreciation for the natives for years to come.

Though I do wish the natural landscape could have been preserved more carefully, there is a point when I believe you must accept what has happened and look to the positives. Miami has become a cultural center evident through the different influences in architecture and languages. As we walked through the city, graffiti was present all throughout. Whether a full mural or a simple tag, it is the voice of an unheard group trying to be noticed. Similar to cave paintings the Tequesta may have done, those that inhabit the inner city try to say something with their art. The more I learn about Miami the stronger my love-hate relationship grows.

The Everglades As Text

“The Tranquil and the Inconsequential” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at the Everglades National Park on January 14, 2021

The reason I have been drawn so much to nature is the same the poet spoke of in “Pahayokee.” To me, nature reminds me of my true role in the world. The ties to work and stress are all cut loose. I am surrounded by the untouched. There is no deadline, there is no worry. We have become so entangled in our own personal problems we forget of the constant balance found in nature. Every push has a pull, every up has its down. There is no waste in nature, everything serves its unique purpose. All processes happen at the pace it was meant to be. The trees grow, the water flows, and life is but a means of supporting another. A cycle that knows no good nor bad, only the necessary.

I remind myself that this is not an escape, but a reminder of the truth. Park Ranger Dylann Turffs spoke of the disconnect among people and the natural world. I believe the more people reach out and spend time in the outdoors, they will realize the importance of conservation efforts. These efforts are not merely for the preservation of land that is “nice to look at,” but a protection of what is true on this Earth. Millions of years of evolution have led to the world we live in now, and in a mere hundreds we may lose it all. Every day it seems we are told of new ways we are different from each other; things that pull us apart as people. Nature is the only thing we all truly have in common.

The Margulies Collection as Text

“A Struggle, the Same” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at the Margulies Collection on January 27, 2021

The story of humanity is one of plight and pain. Through the hardships we face, we are able to come together. In these moments of vulnerability we see our true strength. Many of the pieces at the Marguiles Collection emphasize the different aspects of human struggle. Whether it be through the hunger many people face, or the persecution and hate others encounter, every group has a story to tell.

These are the stories in which we learn from each other as a people. It can inspire people and give them hope for brighter days ahead. It can also serve as a reminder of travesties of the past and how to learn from our mistakes. I was personally drawn to Depression Bread Line by George Segal and Hurma by Magdalena Abakanowicz. Both pieces reflect a time in different countries that face a similar struggle. One’s next meal was not promised, it was unknown whether a father could provide for his family.

The stories my grandfather would tell me of his time in Cuba came to mind as I learned more of these pieces. Like Abakanowicz, both saw first hand the injustices brought on by the Soviet rule. People were seen almost like livestock in a cattle farm, they were just heads to feed. At many times, they still did not receive many basic needs. Though capitalism is not perfect, I believe there is more oppurtunity to make something of yourself from whatever background you come from in America. Individuality is an important aspect of the American culture. I believe this idea is shown in Segal’s portrayal of American’s waiting in soup kitchens during the Great Depression. Each man in line has his face highlighted in green, a great contrast to the headless bodies of the Hurma piece. Though these were incredibly harsh times in America, there was always a respect put to each American. The Fireside chats by President Franklin D. Roosevelt acted as words of promise to the American people. As families sat next to their radios at night, it seemed as if they were directly talking to the president, continually offering support. No one felt alone in their time of need.

Though we are living in unprecedented times, I am inspired by the possibilities of how humanity will flourish once we overcome.

Bill Baggs As Text

“Sands of Yesterday” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at Bill Baggs State Park on February 10, 2021

Photographs taken by Jesse Velazquez

My dad used to tell me of the days when Bill Baggs was a dense forest. Monkeys that escaped from the Crandon Park Zoo made new homes in the large Australian pines that surrounded the coast, often throwing things at the beach visitors. Now it seems that raccoons have taken their place, stealing food instead. Though Hurricane Andrew completely swept down what had stood, it gave the park an opportunity to start fresh in a new direction. Now covered with a vast array of native plants, the park may seem unrecognizable to patrons of the past. The only thing that remains is the lighthouse.

Originally discovered by Ponce de Leon (as far as we are told) in 1513, Cape Florida was seen as a paradise of the new world. It wasn’t until 1825 that the original lighthouse had finished its original construction. Shortly after during the Seminole Wars, the natives attacked the homestead at which the lighthouse stood. They believed they were fighting back their oppressors who continued to cast them out of their own land. The two lone land keepers fought back as much as they could. They rain into the lighthouse in hopes of finding protection, but it seemed to be more of a trap. The natives lit the lighthouse on fire and the men were forced out into the observation deck. Hoping for a quick death, the men threw the last gunpowder they had into the fire, causing a massive explosion. Though one of the men died, the explosion was not enough to bring the lighthouse down. Soon after the lighthouse was restored and erected another 30 feet.

For nearly 200 years the barrier island has stood as a point of hope and recline. Acting as a last meeting point before slaves ran away to the Bahamas, the beach was the last glimpse of America many had before they reached freedom. The lighthouse stands as a beacon into the night, a light that guides those who are lost, and a reminder of what has been. Through many hardships, nothing has been able to bring down the lighthouse.

I have made many day trips to the park, yet I was completely unaware of the story it had to tell. I hope we may come back as a class and enjoy our paradise at home.

Reference:

• Thompson, John W. B. “The Attack on the Lighthouse” (text of a letter from Thompson to the editor of the Charleston Courier), in Drimmer, Frederick. Editor. 1985. Captured by the Indians. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

River of Grass as Text

“Holding the Untouchable” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at the Everglades National Park on March 3, 2021

Every class, Professor Bailly reminds us to make the most of our experiences. I used to believe this only applied to overtly extravagant times in our lives, like the big trip I’ve planned months ahead of time or the day of my graduation. I’ve learned in quarantine that every day should be held to the same regard, no matter what you do. It’s easy to find the little things to appreciate, if you know where to look.

This class in the Everglades especially reminded me how simple these pleasures can be. The sunset’s last shimmers of amber on the green leaves shifting in the wind, making your favorite person laugh, or making conversation with someone you’ve never met that opens you to new friendships. It was truly a great day.

The life we live is all dependent on the mindset we have. In the late sixties, the world as we know it was at the brink of collapse, and the agents of destruction were stored in our backyard. We have now advanced past the need to perpetrate such fear among the population. We have been given a chance, now reminded by the pandemic, to grow from these past ideas and flourish in a new direction of hope.

The Everglades and its ancient landscape are an example of how beauty can persevere through intense hardships and be restored to new heights if proper care is given. I hope to visit the Everglades in a couple years time and see the newly developed landscape on the land we ventured this week.

Frost Art Museum as Text

“Flowers Everywhere” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at the Frost Art Museum on March 11, 2021

Given to him by friend who soon lost his life, Roberto Obregon spent years dissecting what makes a rose meant to him. Classifying the individual components that make up the physical body of the rose, and taking a deeper dive into the emotional connotations a rose may have, Obregon hopes to show viewers the complexities of relationships and life through a rose.

I believe his infatuation of the roses originated from the strifes he faced in his life. Not always beautiful, sometimes painful, but always sight to behold. The thorns of the rose remind one of the hardships you face, but it is overshadowed by the flower; similar to the moments you remember most with the ones you love. It was impressive to see how Obregon was able to shine a new light on a flower that has become a somewhat cliche and commercial symbol of affection.

Another impressive work of art we observed was the mural commissioned by Carlos Alfonzo. In this piece he seems to come to terms with his loss of life. The fragility of life is on display in his final piece, reflecting the different phases of his life. Whether in the city of Miami, or from his upbringing in Cuba, he reflects his life with the bright colors of the city and Caribbean. Every day I come to FIU, I’ve passed by the mural and never realized the importance of the work.

The AIDs epidemic continue to have lasting effects on culture and society today. Art serves as record of the struggles of people in different eras of history, even so recently as only thirty years ago. I believe it is great to see pieces of art installed across the campus of FIU, reminding students of these struggles and the hardships that bring us together.

Coral Gables as Text

“The City of Wanting Moor” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at the Frost Art Museum on March 25, 2021

Influences from other lands. Photos taken by Jesse Velazquez

When George Merrick came to South Florida in the 1920s, he had a vision for what the land could become. His mind often drifted as he worked on his guava plantation, taking him to the places he read about. He would often revisit the story What was at the time seen as a waste of land, Merrick designed and developed a city straight out of the pages of his favorite stories. This city would eventually become Coral Gables.

As you walk through the city, elements of the coral limestone rock have been incorporated into many homes and buildings. Clay tiles crown almost every home, and the colors remind one of the summer. George Merrick hoped to bring the culture and charm of Spain and the Mediterranean to Miami. He wanted to design a city for the middle class to have access to the amenities that were once offered only to the rich.

Sadly, it seems this original vision has started to fade. Coral Gables is notoriously expensive to live in, and majority white. The University of Miami has a tuition rate that requires only those with a great scholarship or high income to enroll. Where there is beauty, there will be money, and it seems that Coral Gables is no exception.

I will still enjoy walking through Coral Gable’s Miracle Mile, and taking a dive into the famous Venetian Pool, but I will know it no longer stands for what was intended. It seems that Miami is a place of opportunity and dream, but this innocent hope is easily clouded by dollar signs and power.

Vizcaya As Text

“Where Ecstasy Calls Home” by Jesse Velazquez of FIU at the Frost Art Museum on March 25, 2021

When one has worked the majority of their adult life working to amass a fortune beyond comprehension, what better way to reward yourself than with a palace of pleasure? Beginning construction in 1914, John Deering designed his estate in the untouched Miami coast as a testament to his life and his triumphs. Secluded from almost all government authority, the mansion served as a hub for all forms of debauchery and ecstasy. Late night parties riddled of sex and alcohol were common occurrences. It seems that James Deering not only set the model for the architecture that would dominate South Florida, but also conceived this mindset that would develop into the “Miami lifestyle.”

Bringing artifacts and art pieces from Europe, Deering ensured to encapsulate all forms of high class living. From the priceless carpet owned by the historical Queen Isabella of Spain, to the incorporation of modern technologies of the time, no walk of life could ignore the class and wealth that radiated from the estate.

It seems that Deering often had trouble finding his own identity, he believed he had to masquerade as someone of old power. He had no ties to ancient aristocrats or nobility, so he created his own figure to aspire to; the spanish explorer Vizcaino. His riches were not enough, he wanted to be the hero of his own story. He wanted to claim new land for himself, like the king of his own castle. Similarly to Graceland and the King of Rock and Roll, Vizcaya served as an irrefutable proclamation of power.

Though every room tells a different story, Vizcaya has a unified message and feeling. It is an oasis, seperated from reality. As you enter you are immediately envious, imagining the wonderful times Deering may have had there. I hope to live a life of beautiful and new experiences as James Deering.