Category: Education

At the start of my freshman year in high school, I had joined the JROTC program, which stands for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. It was a military-style class held in my school that had the intention of creating better citizens through the use of US Army values and leadership training. I had been excited for this since the beginning of eighth grade. I talked about the program to other people, and a friend of mine named Mario told me about one called the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps. The Navy League of the United States funds this program, and it utilizes the values of the US Navy to discipline its cadets.  Being a swimmer, this had interested me, and I decided that I would join the program. Through it, I have met many people from different places in the United States and other parts of the world. As well as take part in various trainings that were provided by the Sea Cadet program. And here I am five years later still a part of the program after graduation as a volunteer on the weekends.

It was through this program that the opportunity arose to volunteer at a facility for an organization called Rise Against Hunger. This group had the goal of packing meals and delivering them to different parts of the world to people who need them. Rise Against Hunter wants to end world hunger by 2030. I was intrigued by this as I was sure it had interested many of the other cadets in the Sea Cadet program. Once the cadets in the Sea Cadet program heard the announcer in the room, say that they had to measure and place food within bags and seal them, they grew a bit fearful. Not sure whether they could complete the task asked of them.

Luckily everyone had gotten the hang of the tasks they were doing. People managed to switch jobs and had been able to complete each specific job at least once. After completing the tasks that day, I felt a sense of accomplishment and relief that I was a part of this. We had to measure rice grains and other dried foods to put into packets, then added spice packs to those food bags. After that, we would put them into bins and send them to other tables where they would be sealed and packaged in boxes. Throughout the event, the organizers had music playing, most of which were positive and upbeat music. The music set the tone for the volunteer event. It allowed people to be more receptive and willing to carry on conversations about their purpose for being there.

I ran from table to table, and once stationed at a table, I spoke to the ladies around me, I asked for their reason for coming to this event. Most of them had told me that they had been coming for years and that they come every year. On the other hand of the spectrum, children were volunteering as well, and I watched as they sealed packs of food or dropped dried foods inside of the packets. They were extremely eager to help and seeing the kind of work they were doing benefited people in need. Even though they did not see the people directly, they still managed to stay motivated in completing the objective and also had some fun. Because of the work that the cadets and I had done along with many other people in that room, we managed to pack 23,976 Rise Against Hunger meals. Those meals would be sent out to children and families around the world, and I am proud to have been apart of that.

Less than a month later, a classmate named Blanca Alcaraz had arranged a volunteering opportunity at Camillus House. Volunteering here required us to help prepare for one of the largest fundraisers of the year. Honestly, whenever I thought of Camillus House, my mind would go straight to merely making and handing out food. I did not know the extent of the organization did. I had never looked into their programs, nor have I ever volunteered for them before. It was that day that I had learned everything about Camillus House and precisely what they do.

It was more than just a hot meal that they were providing these people who are homeless. They provided people with housing, clothes, educational opportunities, as well as a way to therapeutically decompress through art. These programs were unbeknownst to me and many others, I suppose. When we got to Camillus House, Alessandra Laricchia instructed us to put up a Christmas tree in the dining facility. Laricchia then got a tour of the campus, where we learned a lot more about the organization and how we could help even more with additional acts of donations or volunteering.

Within the tour, we saw firsthand the housing that Camillus House provides to the homeless people. We also saw the clothes that were being donated by people. These clothes are not sold, but they were given directly to people who need them. Another thing that Laricchia told us was that essentials such as soaps, feminine hygiene products, and men’s and women’s clothes are often required.

The Career Help Program is just one of the programs that Camillus House has for people who need help obtaining employment. The organization paired up with companies who were willing to certify, train, and provide experience to those who have specific skills. They have areas that include culinary, warehouse, and housekeeping/general maintenance. We saw a participant who was going to graduate on that same day for her experience and work in culinary. On that graduation day, people come together, and the graduates prepare food for the celebration.

After the tour, Lariccia escorted us to a room where they had objects, artwork, and numerous wine bottles set to be sold at an auction at the Hilton hotel. This auction was to be their most significant fundraiser of the year. In previous years Camillus House raised at least 1 million dollars. The wines were donated by people who the organization had connections to, and the artworks were made by the people living at Camillus house through the art program that they had. Half of the profit would go directly to the artist and the other half to the art program at Camillus House. Selling these paintings is such a massive opportunity for people as they get a chance not only to express themselves but make a profit from it as well.

After setting up a colossal amount of wine bottles on tables, as well as arranging artworks on canvas holders, the bigger picture came to me. Camillus House is not just a place where people can go for a hot meal. It is more than that, and they can always use all of the help that they can get. They provide showers, food, career development, housing, and so much more than tangible deeds. It’s more about the services that they provide, the support, and the way that they make people feel as if they were at home. Many people who leave Camillus House and get back on their feet often come back and volunteer and want to give back. I feel that many people should want to do the same, even if they are comfortably living their lives. We should always find ways to give back.

Contact Information For Service Confirmation:

LCDR Reynolds Sanchez, USNSCC

US Coast Guard Miami Air Station

14300 NW 41st Avenue

Opa Locka, Florida 33054-2328

ALESSANDRA LARICCHIA |Community Relations Manager

1601 NW 7th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136 | camillus.org

alessandral@camillus.org

“Multifaceted Reflection” by Sofia Guerra, España 2019: Vuelta

Multifaceted Reflection: Identity & Pride throughout Spain

by Sofia Guerra of FIU Honors

In Spain for Miami España: Ida y Vuelta with Professor John W. Bailly

Establishing the Roots

What does it mean to be American? What does it mean to be Spanish? What does it mean to be Catalan? I grew up in the US and took my first steps across international borders through Spain and Catalonia. Being surrounded by people of all ages, ethnicity, and histories, hearing an array of languages from region to region, and tasting what each city has to offer, whether home or abroad, repeatedly teaches me that there is always more to what we think we know lying beneath the surface. Now with a broader lens there is vast clarity to that omen. There is no look, dialect or flavor to tether anyone from the three places mentioned to the generalized labels I’ve posed. There is no outside factor that will distinguish one from the other. So how does one define their national identity?  

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[Photographs by: Sofia Guerra of FIU. June 27, 2019 (CC 4.0)]

From the urban and globalized landlocked capital, through historic trifles of towns like Segovia, to the quaint coasts of Catalonia, it was impossible to overlook the different currents each city holds. Madrid is nothing like Barcelona. The two capitals, both figureheads for their representative regions within the same international border, both full of national pride, lie on opposite sides of a tense and violent history. Tourists packed into the pebbled beaches of Barceloneta reign as far as the eye can see. This provides a stark contrast to the slower paced, and sandy, cove beaches of Sitges, where beach-goers of all ages and walks of life wear what they please-if anything at all, during routine beach days of moseying in the sand. While they share the same Mediterranean waters, a capital-city beach crowd mimic the vibrant myriad of stones beneath their feet, and a small coastal town allows for wiggle room where everyday life, and people soak up the sun. Each attract a different catch.

Miami’s melting pot was all I knew for most of my upbringing. Everyday experiences like school, errands, and general life come with a background noise heavily made up of Spanish and English, with Portuguese, French, Creole and other languages also in the mix. My Freshman year of College was spent in Sarasota. Consequently, the only breaks from the hearing a semi-twangy rendition of the English language existed in blips of weekend trips home. Sarasota showed me a different side of Florida; one that fell closer in line to what I knew as the conservative, small-town northern region of the state that often parallels the social and political make up of rural middle states. I went from a globalized city, where Cuban cafeterias and Thai fusion restaurants lie on the same streets within walking distance, to a town where the nearest croqueta was a 25-minute drive away. Cuisine aside, it was immediately apparent how different Florida could be perceived from varying cities as an outsider. Are Jacksonville and St Augustine less authentically Floridian than Miami and the Keys? Or are they better representations? When you’re stuck to a geographical location you are none the wiser until you reach past old boundaries build your own associations.

MADRID: Identity through the Arts

Spain’s capital surpasses its function as the nation’s center for foreign and stately governmental affairs. It’s home to the Museo del Prado, and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. Between the two institutions they house among the richest pieces of visual art, important not only to the construction of a distinctly Spanish artistic narrative, but to the grand dialogue of art history in its entirety. The conglomeration of these works in the capital transforms Madrid past its legislative duty into a compact cultural hub, buzzing with a hum of national pride.

I was expecting the capital to be the most ‘Spanish’ city- a true precursor of what was to come. It struck me at first as an alternate New York. It smelled like a big city, looked like a big city, and the Big Apple was the closest comparable experience I had to contextualize what I was experiencing. While the United States is hardly considered an old country, New York is among the oldest cities we do have in the states. Its status as one of the original colonies aids its cultural importance to the US because it has been through the cultural, political, and economic successes and failures since the dawn of the country. Therefor it is no surprise that New York, as well as Madrid, are unique and priceless entities that radiate the creative voices that have shaped their respective nations artistically.

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Some of the most tumultuous events in Spanish history took place centuries before the Americas were even discovered which, provided a distillation period for artistic development. While the US had no concrete, distinctly American style until the emergence of Pop art in the late 1950’s, Spaniards were tweaking continental movements like, those of the Renaissance and Baroque. Doménikos Theotokópoulos (nicknamed El Greco) rejected the innovations in perspective of the Renaissance, in favor for dramatic composition, and free utilization of bright highlights with heavy shadow. Diego Velazquez behaves similarly, dismissing tediously rigid technical application for every inch of his subject, limits it to areas like faces, or details, to then create an atmosphere using heavy shadows and quick painterly brushstrokes. Both El Greco and Velazquez rebelled against the common thread of what was developing around them to pursue a visually darker, bold, and dramatic rout which in the end landed them venerations as part of the great Masters through the history of art.

Dark, striking, and true are a few words to describe pieces created in, around, for, or pertaining to Spain; adjectives which were just as honest in the 15^th century as they were in the 20^th century. These artists do not shy away from the horrors or war, gore, sorrow, political corruption, and even mental illness. During the 19^th century, Goya’s Black Paintings took to a new level of darkness. In the 20^th century, Picasso broke three dimensions into four, and began to experiment with movement on the canvas- a theory turned skill which he perfected and employed to the greatest war painting of the century.

The civilian town of Guernica in the Basque region was flattened under the repugnant orders of fascist military general, Francisco Franco, who rose to power and sustained it through dictatorship for a 40-year period. Picasso’s Guernica (1937) A Cubist rendition of the tragic event traveled the globe, raising money for Spanish Civil War relief until it arrived at the MoMA in Manhattan, NY where Picasso ordered it to stay until the restoration of democracy in Spain. His masterpiece is overwhelming in size and takes the viewer through a chaotic maze of faces, severed body parts, distorted animals, fire, debris, a Basque pieta with her motionless child, and a flower of hope.

By the time Guernica (1937) arrived in New York, the artists building the adolescent art scene in the US were gaining inspiration from movements abroad that leaned toward Expressionism and Abstraction. The dialogue between contemporary American and European artists of the 20^th century provided the theoretical means for American artists to think more creatively. Ultimately the development American Pop art became quite popular and became a distinctly American Style. However, the movement itself focuses heavily on consumerism, goods, and the elusive American Dream. It started as a commentary on American society, but soon grew into a lackluster, over-the-top, aimless movement.

through literature: Barrio de las letras

Walking down Calle de las Huertas, my feet guided me over gleaming prose. Embedded in the bricks are words from the poets and novelists from Spain’s Golden Age of literature, leading me through Barrio de las Letras. The novel and imagery of Don Quixote, written in the early 17^th century, are inseparable to Spain’s literary and artistic identities. The knight himself is scattered throughout the country by sculpture, plaques marking his route, countless canvases, and Picasso’s lithographic prints.

Miguel de Cervantes’s masterpiece is a product of this literary Zenith in the nation’s capital and has been translated into 60 languages. Cervantes resided and wrote here towards the end of his life. These narrow, sloped streets are where he produced the novel that acted as a catalyst of inspiration for countless intellectuals and artists alike. The sun hangs low, its light bounces off the golden words of Cervantes. Not far, a wall wearing his words as well, this time in graffiti.  

Federico Garcia Lorca, an early 20^th century poet, wrote, drank, ate, and lived in among these streets as well, just hundreds of years later. Garcia Lorca was involved in the diaspora of creative thinkers that have consistently found their place in Barrio de las Letras for hundreds of years.

The literary identity and potency of this neighborhood is not just for the indulgence of Spaniards. Ernest Hemingway, the American literary figure traveled to Madrid, to the French-square of Plaza de Santa Ana, and engaged with his European counterparts like Garcia Lorca.

It has historically been a region bustling with creative activity, and today is no exception. Today the neighborhood is a young adult’s hub. Its speckled with specialty gift shops, boutiques, taverns, and restaurants. The area feeds the hunger of the young creatives. The narrow side streets are inviting and a welcomed retreat from the pace of Madrid.

SEVILLA: Identity through Architecture

Today the warm riverbed city is a winding maze of white, yellow and red. Sevillan Baroque, seen consistently throughout the port city is an architectural style that reflects the sentiments of Spain during its age of exploration. Whitewashed washed walls adorned with yellow or red trim and topped with Spanish tile are common among the winding streets. Heavy, yet intricate ironwork guards every threshold- door, window or gate- and provide a stark, grounding contrast to the otherwise light palate. It’s a beautiful anomaly, frozen in time.

Decorative Sevillan Baroque wasn’t always the makeup of the city. The Torre de Oro, or Tower of Gold is a repurposed Moorish tower used by the Spaniards as a tax house. The landmark structure hints at the past presence of Al-Andaluz. For the Spaniards, Sevilla became most important at the dawn of the 16^th century. The port city was refurbished specifically to accommodate any trade between Spain and the New World.

At its peak it was the richest city in Spain, but it was a direct product of the wealth obtained through the nations contact with the Americas. Sevilla experienced a Golden Age contemporaneously with Spanish exploration, exploitation and conquest in the Americas. The economy grew immensely, and a visual culture followed. Due to the economic boom, Sevilla developed a highly decorative architectural style that was reflective of their values, power, wealth, and history. The Moorish-inspired whitewash walls, used for temperature control and disease prevention in the warm wet city were soon rebuilt with yellow and red facades accompanied by complex and abundant iron railings, balconies, doors, and window-cages.

The center of the town is the most elaborately decorated area.  Official government buildings, the Catedral de Sevilla, and clergy houses were all centrally located and donned with statues or sculptural reliefs of notable people, symbols, or pivotal episodes in the nation’s history. However, these subjects are rarely displayed autonomously.  

Palacio de San Telmo is an iconic, vast red building, punctuated with ornaments of yellow, and stamped with a sculptural façade so intricate there are a million places for your eyes to look. It previously functioned as a school for navigators. Around the sides are larger than life, fully in the round sculptures of navigators, and religious or historical figures. The craftsmanship of the Palacio is astounding, and the colors ring vibrantly in contrast with the pearly white façade, but a closer look reveals the dark intentions of a powerful nation.  was previously a naval building.  

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Professor Bailly prompted us to look up under the balcony. “You see whose holding it up?” he asked. I first recognized the sculpted feathered headwear of the native American group hoisting up the balcony for the academy. A closer look revealed faces twisted in pain and frozen in immaculate marble. While the sculptor may have included the grouping to show the use of Spanish colonization efforts, it reveals the relationship between wealth stolen from the Americas, brought back to Spain, then used to fund more voyages to the Americas and continue the cycle. Not only that, but this sculptural narrative is worn by a building forming more navigators for the country’s Naval forces.

The identity that Sevilla has built through its architectural front is directly based on the economy provided by Spain’s spoils from a new transatlantic resource. When walking through the city it becomes evident that there is a boastful attitude about Spain’s treatment of the New World. A monument to Christopher Columbus stands tall in a manicured park not far from Palacio de San Telmo, and not far from the river itself.  The dawn of the twisted relationship between the New World and the Catholic superpowers of Europe can still be seen in Sevilla.

BARCELONA: Identity through Language

When I heard Catalan for the first time, I felt like my ears were tripping over themselves. Some words and phrases in Spanish came through but they felt unfamiliar. Walking out of the train station, and letting my ears adjust we were greeted with Barcelona. Yellow and Red are not the colors of Spain any longer, they’re the color of Wilfred the Harry’s golden shield, stained four bloody stripes. The tale behind the flag of Catalonia reveals the grit and determination for National sovereignty.

Catalonia has long been among the most economically profitable regions in Spain. While the region does hold some autonomous rights the two nations are still economically affected by one another. Conservative theologies in Spain argue that independence for Catalonia is a money-hungry political pursuit, yet through research, and experience, I’ve come to learn that the main factor that continues to reignite old furies are debates on language.

In the modern history the dictatorship of Francisco Franco greatly affected the trajectory of Catalonia receiving autonomy. By enacting language laws, he evaporated any legal protection for the language to exist. He barred the language from being taught in schools, used in media, and any other public use.  Forty years of fascist control kept Catalan out of public rhetoric; he was trying to eliminate a culture by any means necessary. A generation of citizens born between 1936 and 1975 had no chance to learn their native tongue. Immigrants moving to the region, weather as war refugees or from outside Spain all together had no chance of learning the language. Those who did had maintained the language were scene as educated and respected.

Now in Barcelona most public signs are written in three languages: Catalan, Spanish, then English. The generations coming of age within regime of Franco have made an active push to reestablish the language since his death in 1975. The political fervor of the region is present and tangible. Wilfred’s four bloody stripes are everywhere: from flags to stained glass, and trencadís. Some variations of the flag include a hopeful star of independence modeled after two colonies to gain independence from Spain in the modern: our neighbors, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

Through Remembering: El Barri Gotic

Through the length of his militant rule, Francisco Franco regularly used senseless violence to make political gain. An example of this violence was Franco’s vile orders to carry out an aerial bombing on the Basque town of Guernica. The town was flattened, and it showed his opposition the lengths at which he would go to remain control.

Throughout Franco’s military coup some of his ideological enemies fled to Barcelona. This ensued a continuous bombing of the city, causing immense damage and flattening entire sections of the town. During this gruesome episode of conflict in September 1938 Placa de Sant Felipe Niri changed radically. The Placa previously had a children’s school next to the Iglesia de Sant Felipe Niri. When the bombs started to fly, the children sought refuge in the church’s basement. However, the church was struck, and the children were trapped under the debris. While some people attempted to rescue the children, a second bomb dropped bringing the death toll to 42.

Today the only thing standing from the era of Fascist violence in the Placa is the façade of the Iglesia de Sant Felipe Niri, covered in perforations from the shrapnel that took so many lives that day. They act as a reminder of a dark area of Spanish history, an area no one can forget, but some refuse to talk about.

CITED SOURCES

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Spanish Civil War.” Encyclopædia Britannica. July 10, 2019. Accessed July 20, 2019. https://www.britannica.com/event/Spanish-Civil-War.

Farnsworth, Lawrence A. 1937. “Revolutionary Forces in Catalonia.” Foreign Affairs 15 (4): 674–84. doi:10.2307/20028810.

“Plaça and Church Sant Felip Neri Barcelona – Square: IrBarcelona.” Ir Barcelona. February 12, 2017. Accessed July 20, 2019. https://irbarcelona.org/barcelona-squares/placa-sant-felip-neri/.

Preston, Paul. “The Scars of Catalonia: How a Century of Mistrust and Political Incompetence Fuelled a Secession Crisis That Could Lead to the Break-up of Spain.” New Statesman, 2017. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.fiu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsglr&AN=edsgcl.520322408&site=eds-live.

WOOLARD, KATHRYN A. “Language, Identity, and Politics in Catalonia.” Brown Journal of World Affairs 25, no. 1 (Fall/Winter2018 2018): 1–20. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.fiu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=135409497&site=eds-live.

Student Bio

Blanca J Alcaraz is a 20 year-old senior at Florida International University. She is double majoring in international business & finance with a certificate in Spanish translation and interpretation and will attend law school next fall, which goes to say she’s pretty busy all the time. Nonetheless, Blanca loves to try new things, she loves to immerse herself in new experiences and she loves to learn therefore this class has been a perfect fit for her. Banca is a Disney loving, chocolate cake eating, curly-haired girl ready to eat up the world and this class is getting her one step closer to that. John Bailly is the professor of the class titled Miami In Miami which takes on the challenge of exploring a city many call “home” yet are complete strangers to it. The class focuses on the hidden gems of the city of Miami, the art that was inspired by its rich culture and the places of historical meaning that now serve as a reminder of what started it all. Blanca doesn’t fear change or getting out of her comfort zone an is excitingly awaiting what life has in store for her.  

Geography

The city of Miami beach in southern Florida is a coastal city that was incorporated on March 26, 1925 and it lies on man-made barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. The city boardwalk begins at Indian Beach Park on 46^thstreet and Collins Ave and according to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.7 squared miles of which 11.7 squared miles are water and the other 7 square miles are land. The city is dominated by its beaches and the businesses located right on its coast making it one of the most coveted coastal cities in the world. Miami Beach is ground zero and thus faces tidal flooding annually which presents a problem for many of the residents in the area. The good news is that the city, moving forward, is being engineered for sea level rise and other potential threats climate change can bring them. The streets of Miami Beach are narrow allowing for only two lanes the majority of the time and this creates traffic jams that can last up to 2 hours, which is why many people resort to other means of transportation to avoid this. 

The city’s architecture is extremely unique and ties into its historical background. The different styles speak of different decades and many of the famous buildings remain functioning today as a reminder of what once was. Miami Beach is not like most Miami cities in which “walking distance” means 30 minutes to get there and 30 to come back, instead this city is one of the few that still witnesses pedestrians very frequently. People walk everywhere, from the restaurant to their hotel to the beach and to the store mainly because everything is close in distance. 

Certain districts in Miami Beach are famous worldwide and are known for either its architecture, historical value or high end brand shopping stores. Districts like the Art Deco Historic district, constructed from 1923 to 1949, is the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world! Collins Ave which runs north of 41st street is 13.1 miles in length and it is also known as “The Shopping District” and neighborhood runs along the beachfront and is comprised of a mix of hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, and retailers.

History

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Miami Beach, the resort city, was originally a town incorporated on March 26,1915, that later became a city in 1917. The Tequesta Indians were the first settlers of the region that would later become Miami Beach and they were able to fend off invaders up until the 1800’s.  The city originally began as an 165-acre plot of land that was supposed to be used for planting and harvesting coconuts but the land was sold in 1970 to Henry and Charles Lum for $0.25 an acre. They then sold the land to John S. Collins and Thomas Pancoast which later became partners with Carl Fisher and together they saw Miami Beach as a potential residential and hotel boomtown. Fisher and Collins together built the first bridge from Miami to Miami Beach in 1913 and that the time that became the longest “wooden wagon bridge” of the world. 

The city saw two world wars right after the elegance and extravaganza or the 1920’s which would allow the city to see great growth. During the depression many hotels along lower Collins avenue and ocean drive were built, these would eventually help bring the city out of the depression. During world war II however, many cadets passed through Miami Beach, as it was a training center, and businesses like the “Cadet Hotel” housed many of them in 1941 and still remain standing today, giving the city a unique historic value. 

In 1979 Miami Beach received nationwide recognition for its Art Deco District, a movement led by Barbara Capitan, and to this day it remains one of the greatest sites to see. A statute of recognition of Barbara Capitan has been placed along the beach in an act of thanksgiving for all that she did for the city when it was developing. In 1996 Miami Beach celebrated its 100^thanniversary and it has definitely come a long way since it was first established. 

Demographics

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Miami Beach is a growing city that is as diverse in culture as it is in architecture and it is home to people from all over the world, whether it be for a couple of days or for the rest of retirement. The city has a population of 92,187 people and it is growing at a rate of 0.5% annually. The culture of Miami Beach is deeply embedded in its afro-Latino roots and you hear the salsa music playing in almost every store alongside reggaeton and Caribbean music and its everything you can except from a coastal city. The median age is 42 years old but a pattern exists in regards to the type of people that live in this city, the majority of them being single young adults or retired couples however, the few families that are seen on the beach or walking the streets of this city tend to be tourist who are exploring what we can call “the eighth wonder of the world”. 

Alejandro Lindo is a resident of Miami Beach who has lived in the city for 11 years and owns a business that tables on the shore of Miami’s beaches and he has lived both the good and the bad of what this city has to offer. He says that one thing that cannot go unnoticed in this city is the selling and consumption of drugs, and unfortunately it is something seen daily. He supposes that because it is something many tourist come seeking, this city has established itself as key point for its consumption. Alejandro says that you will not see the  traditional family living in Miami Beach, and that is because this city does not offer the “white picket fence” stability and peace of mind that these families search for, he has noticed that many families that live in Miami Beach do not stay long, instead the first chance they get, they move out of the city and into a more family-oriented environment. 

When asked whether he thought living in this city was expensive, Alejandro said that it depends on what you do, if you live within Miami Beach and work in another city life is not as expensive considering your annual can sustain the lifestyle of a city whose median property value is $416,700. Now, if you simply work within the city and live outside of it, it is a living nightmare, traffic is horrendous and the parking situation is “a bestiality” in Alejandro’s words. The parking is completely underregulated so a good parking garage can go for $8 dollars the hour which is extremely expensive, the cheap parking garages never has availability and the parallel parking on the streets is a scam. According to Alejandro, parking on a metered spot can be economic but tow trucks are in the business of towing your car regardless of if you pay the parking fee or not and they’ll take it away if they feel like it or if it’s just a slow day. Now when you go and try to get your car back  they might not charge you with a citation they will charge you for the towing services which comes out to about $140 and having had to pay it a couple times, Alejandro now prefers to walk. 

Alejandro acknowledges that although Miami Beach is a very rich city, the amount of indigent people who roam the streets has become a problem. Sadly this is witnessed in every area of Miami Beach, you will find indigent people in most shopping centers, along the beaches and in the parks and with a poverty rate of 16.6% Miami Beach has not allocated its fund in the best way possible. The city does have programs like the “Homeless Outreach” located on 17^thstreet and convention center drive but too many of them are roaming the streets and making the place less attractive for tourist. Sometimes as you walk down the streets you find yourself walking by places that reek of urine, streets Alejandro has learned to avoid through the years of being a resident of this city. 

Another trait that Miami Beach has acquired recently is their high rates of theft that happen on the beaches in broad daylight. Alejandro says that the difference with the thieves in this city particularly do not look like thieves but like well-dressed residents who are just going about their day with a towel over their shoulder in case they feel like going for a dip in the sea. What many people do not know is that this is the strategy that the thieves use, they walk around the beach looking for unaccompanied items, purses, wallets, designer glasses, and they’ll approach the items and drop their towel over them meanwhile the owner is in the ocean and all he sees is a regular guy who “accidentally” dropped his towel by their stuff. This however is far from true because as the thieves pick up their towel, they also pick up the purses and wallets and it all happens in the blink of an eye. Working on the beach, this is a strategy Alejandro has been able to identify and warn others about as they enter the beach but this is something that is ever televised or advertised so unfortunately the city is not all they make it out to be. 

To the surprise of many, Miami Beach is also home to a thriving Jewish community with 16,000 residents belonging to this community. The city has 3 Jewish Temples, including the Emanu-El pictured above, and tasting tours dedicated to Jewish owned restaurants, this community has heavily impacted the city for over 100 years. 

Landmarks

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If there’s a city with unique landmarks, it has to Miami Beach, they are found everywhere and what they represent is definitely valuable to the city and all those who visit it. The city has an ongoing program called “Art in Public Places” and it is known for curating and commissioning public art. The entire city has a theme and in every block you will find pieces of art big and small, flat on street wall and rising from the ground in magnificent forms and each art piece is a landmark, some are just more famous than others. The program was created in 1984 it has stretched throughout the entire city and above two of the main ones are pictured. The Blue Bent Poolcreated in 2019 by Elmgreen & Dragset is located right in front of the Miami Beach Convention center and it will definitely take you by the surprised. With no plaque or sign next to it, many will have to guess what this creation is but the title of the work is clear “Bent Pool” and the two things that give it away are the turquoise blue interior and the its climbing ladder. Another prominent art piece of this unique city-wide collection is the Mermaidcreated by Roy Lichtenstein and it is located on the south lawn of the Fillmore Theater and its creation pays tribute to the Pop Art styles that became popular in the early 1960’s. 

In terms of buildings, some of Miami Beaches landmarks include the New World Center, Miami Beach Convention Center, The Fillmore Theater, the Holocaust memorial and Art Deco District, just to name a few. The new World Center is the campus of the New World Symphony – America’s Orchestral Academy and it is under the direction of 11-time Grammy award-winning conductor and cofounder Michael Tilson Thomas. The building itself is an architectural gem located right next to Soundscape park. The buildings customizability is what enhancing the experience of the guest, the spaces can be accommodated to fit a range of 20 (for a private dinner) to a 900 people audience. The Miami Beach convention center was originally called the Miami Beach Exhibition Hall and its located in the heart of Miami Beach. Opening in 1958 the venue was proposed as a project to help increase the commence along with the budding tourism of the city, it now serves as an auditorium, a convention hall, ad a sports arena and it has seen some celebrity faces through the years. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at this center during a youth Lutheran convention, the venue was the site of the Miss Universe pageant from 1960-1971 and then again in 1977 and it hosted a Billy Graham crusade in 1961. 

The Fillmore Theater is a like  looking at a blast from the past in the middle of such a modern city. The concert venue was originally known as the Beach Municipal Auditorium and it opened up in 1957 gaining instant popularity during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s because it became the home to many television variety shows such as “The Jackie Gleason Show” and the “Dick Clark Show”. The building’s façade ties into the Art Deco design that is so popular in the city and now it only opens when a concert or a show is playing, but they are more than welcoming to interested students and anyone who wants a tour. 

If there’s one landmark you have to visit when at Miami Beach it has to be the Holocaust Memorial, built to remember the lives of the six million victims of this dark time and to serve as a reminder that as a human race we must never allow for such a tragedy to occur again. Founded in 1984 by a group of Holocaust Survivors who joined together to develop a permanent memorial for the victims who perished and Miami Beach was chosen as the perfect destination due to its high population of Holocaust survivors.  The sculpture of an outstretched arm extends 30 feet into the air and comprises vignette of family members trying to help each other in a final act of love. The memorial walls are covered with the names of many of the victims from top to bottom and each name you read carries behind it a story, a feeling of having loved and lost, of unjust death and fear. 

Green Spaces

Miami Beach is currently working on expanding its green space in the city for the benefit of its residents and the current Mayor, Dan Gelber, plans to build over 30 acres of new parks and green space but some currently exist and can be visited throughout the day. Lummus Park is a 74 – acre public park and beach space on the eastern side of Ocean drive. The park has grassy areas and volleyball courts as well as a wavy pedestrian walk that goes by the name of “The promenade” and it’s the only thing that separates the beach from the green space. 

Soundscape park is a 2.5 – acre urban park that captures the spirit of the city, it is a flexible multi-use space that serves both as a gathering place and an urban oasis. The park has running vines and shady stands of palm trees that give the park a relaxing air while allowing for support of running vines. The park can be reserved for private events but it is open to the public and the city hosts free weekly screenings of family friendly films from October to May and it fits from 300-400 guest. 

Transportation

The city of Miami Beach is different from many other cities in Miami due to the fact that its small streets cannot keep up with the rapid growth of the city therefore many people walk from place to place. Those that do not enjoy walking resort to other means of transportation like riding a bike or the trolley around the city. This has become very popular, you will find bicycles parked along restaurants, parks and beaches ready to be rented by the residents and tourist walking along the streets. The citywide free trolley is another great source of transportation as it is reliable, reduces traffic and it is environmentally friendly. The frequency of the trolley depending on your destination can be anywhere from 15 minutes to 40 minutes and it runs from 6 a.m. to midnight from Mondays to Fridays and from 8 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. The regular public transportation busses are also available throughout the city but their stops are not as frequent or as close in proximity to your final destination

Food & Business

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If there is one thing Miami Beach is known for, it has to be for the restaurants and high end stores that line up its main avenues and roads like Collins avenue and Lincoln road. Because Miami can be described as “tourist central” there are way too many stores that sell Miami souvenirs , whether that be “I love Miami” shirts or the purses that have the city’s name written all over them. There are very few cities in Miami that count with this kind of business and believe it or not it’s a great source of income for the city. The stores range from high-end brand names stores found in Lincoln Road Mall to very cheap and practical souvenirs found in stores like Alvin’s Island. Miami Beach is known for its nightlife, the clubs, the parties, the drinking… and because there is so much drinking involved you are guaranteed to find one liquor store every three blocks. Alcohol sells and it sells high with a single bear retailing for $8.00 and a cocktail glass retailing for $20.00 but people don’t mind therefore there’s a huge market for its consumption. 

The flashy restaurants that line the cost of Miami beach do not fall short and neither do their gross earnings which range from $37 million to $13 million annually. Miami Beach has restaurant or all kinds and their service is impeccable. They have gorgeous waitresses and serve glasses of alcohol bigger than the size of your head. Some restaurants are historically important and others have luxury vintage cars parked by the entrance, some offer live music and others have hookah pipes as center pieces for customers to smoke as they enjoy their meals. Now flashy meals is not all they have, you will find some cheap chain restaurants and some more economic cultural restaurants like “Taco Taco” a restaurant at the entrance of Catalina hotel that is open to the public and to its guest. They serve traditional Mexican food with an American twist and have a bar inside the restaurant with a DJ for those who enjoy a rowdy atmosphere and a bar inside for those who enjoy having a nice conversation. 

When it comes to the stores in Miami Beach , they are unique and very stereotypical at times. You have a lot of self-owned business that sell the typical tiny gold and silver bikinis among other swimwear as well as beachwear for tourist and you also have a lot of tour agencies that offer tours around the landmarks of Miami beach and the famous places that were used to record sold out movies or music videos. In addition you also have stores owned by people who one day had an idea and found their target market in Miami Beach and have slowly established themselves as businessmen. Antonio Dumas is a retired veteran who lives in Miami Beach and has a business called “Take one Smoke one” that focusses on selling different strains of medical cannabis. His sister is a living testimony of a terminally ill breast cancer patient who began to smoke a synthetic strain of cannabis that did not get her high but rather activated certain receptors in her body that healed her from cancer and because of this decided to open a shop that could potentially help others like her. Antonio says that business for him isn’t about making money off of anyone that comes in looking for drugs or simply to get high, his business is about bettering the health of individual through natural means and he says that his business is doing very well. 

Alejandro Lindo is another businessman who’s craftmanship has helped him make a living, he owns a small business of hand threaded jewelry he makes and sells on the beach for tourist that and locals. Because he doesn’t have a storefront but a tabling business they have designated spots given to them by the city and these spots are changed every three months through a lottery system, therefore sometimes he’ll be on the beach sometimes further down the boardwalk or sometimes on Collins avenue and although some businessmen mind, he says that he makes a profit regardless of his location. Because Alejandro has been doing this for 11 years, he has developed a relationship with various customers, both locals and tourist, who will only come to him for merchandise and if they are tourist that visit often, every time they come they call him up to purchase some of his creations. 

The opportunity that Miami Beach offers businessmen is incredible because it is a city that has a market for almost anything and everything therefore your chances of success are very high. You’re almost guaranteed a profit and a solid cliental simply because of your location, but this does come at a price and the leasing rates for any ocean front business in Miami Beach are double the rates in any other city in Miami with a regular sized space costing you approximately $12,300 a month in Miami Beach and only $6,100 a month is any other city. 

Summary

Overall this neighborhood is extremely rich in culture, in its people and in it what it has to offer. It’s a city that never sleeps, you’re out on the beach all day and enjoying the nightlife all night. The amount of restaurants that exists could take you a life time to get through and the hotels lined up along the coast give you the experience that will surpass your expectations. The city does have its downfalls and its poverty rate is one of the most alarming ones. As you walk down the most extravagant neighborhoods and pass by some of the most expensive restaurants, across the street you’ll see indigent people who haven’t had a plate of food in days and the disparity that is witnessed in this moment should not be brushed off. This unfortunately is what happens most of the time and people ignore those in need and go about their day as if they weren’t there, as if they weren’t people. The increase in taxes to its residents and the increase in prices this city has experienced has made it the experience of Miami beach unattainable to most residents of South Florida and that to me is preposterous.  The city does have a lot to offer as well, its Art Deco District will amaze you for hours, the beaches and crystal clear waters will make you fall in love and the diversity in culture will enrich you. The city of Miami is deeply rooted in its culture and that is expressed very clearly, but the city also thrives in luxury and extravagance meaning  that there is something for everyone. 

Sources

“Citywide Free Trolley.” City of Miami Beach, https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/transportation/trolley/.

“History of Miami Beach.” Miami Beach | Latin Chamber of Commerce, http://miamibeach.org/directory/living/history-of-miami-beach.

“Miami Beach, FL.” Data USA, https://datausa.io/profile/geo/miami-beach-fl/.         

“Miami Households Earn Less than the National Average.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-5/eating-and-drinking-in-miami-consumer-expenditures-2010-14.htm.

This post is dedicated to Maria Cruz’s Service Project she had to complete for her Honors course in the Fall of 2019. For her project, she worked directly with Art Miami at their Aqua Art Miami fair during Miami Art Week.

If I could describe my time at Aqua Art in one word it would be unforgettable. As a first time worker at an event of this magnitude, there were a lot of factors I had not originally expected to encounter and definitely a lot of new obstacles to overcome. Still, I put forth my maximum energy and effort and managed to survive the week, making my time there one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. While my official title was “Exhibitor Services Lead” I, alongside the rest of the fair’s small team, were involved with all the aspects of production. From December 1st to the 9th we all dedicated the entirety of our days to put up, run, and clean up an entire art festival. There is also the fact that this being hosted during Miami Art Week — a globally renowned event that draws in thousands of tourists and art appreciators alike from all over the world to the city. While I had an understanding of the pressures that this position came with when I first signed on to the work the fair reality is always much different than your original expectations. Nonetheless, it is something I am immensely proud of taking a part in.

I originally got in contact with Art Miami after an opportunity Professor Bailly presented us with; yet, my original expectations were not to work the Aqua Art Fair. Still, once I was presented with this new position I was extremely excited by the prospects. While there were very difficult and tiring times – my team and I were working over 10-hour long days in attempts to meet the very high expectations of us – it was immensely fulfilling to see how successful we were. Aside from it being the first time I would get an extensive look at the background scenes of a Miami Art Week event, the premise of the fair actually correlates with my studies of international relations. Thus, by taking on this endeavor I not only got to directly help in enriching my community, but I also spent the week engaging with topics and issues that will benefit my future academic and professional initiatives. As stated in their mission on their website, Aqua Art “has consistently earned critical recognition for presenting vibrant and noteworthy international art programs.”

As someone who has had her interest in the arts reignited and is pursuing a career focused on the intercultural aspects of global affairs through non-traditional forms, my work at the event has gave me a newfound appreciation for the influence of the contemporary art world. Both in Miami and internationally, individuals’ modes of expression through art is largely ignored and I hope to bring a holistic awareness between arts, politics, and cultural dynamics of the global arena with my future career. However, before I can accomplish this feat I am aware I have to start on a smaller scale. Getting involved with Art Miami and actively participating in Miami Art Week made me realize just how much we, as a community, are lacking in providing adequate support systems for artists and their works. Whether their pieces focus on immigration, environmental degradation, or any other current event topics these individuals’ efforts in spreading awareness for these issues go beyond the political implications. Historically, artists have helped societies have a broader understanding of sociocultural issues; however, what many fail to realize is that their roles have not changed, they have merely adapted their mediums of expression. This is why, if given the chance, I urge every student, no matter what their academic background, is to get involved with cultural programs because I can guarantee with art you will always find something that inspires or enlightens you.

For my Art Service project, I worked with the Deering Estate helping out with their Historic Holiday Stroll and making brochures for them to use regarding composting and the gopher tortoise. I arrived at 5pm for the stroll and met with Vanessa Trujillo their conservation and research specialist. For the event I would be guiding the traffic of the populous so that they would be able to find where the Stone House is. The event went from 7pm until 9pm and I was unable to sit down which resulted in a decent amount of effort from my part towards the ending of the event. Seeing all the lights that they set up and the amazing lengths they had gone put the absolute maximum Christmas spirit into each person that walked in was astonishing. After the event was over, we had to stay to clean up, which only lasted for so long because the people that attended the event were actually very tidy. It was an awesome experience and I was given the opportunity to go onto the top of the Stone House and see the rest of the Deering Estate which I will never forget.

Making the brochures was very tiresome, specifically because I had never made a brochure before. The research I had to go through on how to create a brochure and what type of info to put where felt like it took eons. After a few hours of work, I was done and I had just gotten multiple new skills in how to design and create a brochure such as organization, formatting, and composition. I was happy to help the Deering Estate with this project and I am glad I was able to learn new shortcuts to assembling different sets of media to help teach people of all age groups.

Overall, I found this experience very beneficial to my growth as a student as I have found new ways of working in environments than I am used to. I was also given the opportunity to work outside of my comfort zone in helping many people at the Historic Holiday Stroll as I am a very introverted person. When I was told to make the brochure I did not know how to go about creating it, but I spent some time learning the process and it was very rewarding and now I can create digital media much more efficiently than I could before.

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Lesly Garcia was born in a small town in Florida amongst the winter of 1999. An american to some but a Hispanic to many, coming from both lovely parents who were raised in Cuba and fought to come to the state to build a better future for their daughter. 21 years old and currently a senior at Florida International University. She is majoring in English with a Literature track.

She is a writer, poet, and painter at heart thanks to her parents. Growing up with her nose rooted in a book and deep in her own imagination, it came as no surprise to those who know her that she wants to write a book of her very own one day. Pulling inspiration from her personal adventures growing up, being in love, battling mental health, and the brutal pain of losing it all, she digs deep into her own woes and allows the sorrows to fuel her writing. Lesly still lives in Florida, with her Canis lovers, Hershey and Nini. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys collecting photocards and love letters, baking sweets, shooting on her vintage film camera, playing her untuned guitar, sipping Cuban coffee, and painting on canvas.

She is a stranger, lover, friend, and daughter experiencing the new sight of Miami through the history from the past that has shaped one’s life, to the many variety of cultures found in a city. This is a city where there’s endless possibilities of creating new memories along with the old whether it is through people, place, or things.

Miami isn’t just a city but a home to many, a home where different cultures come together and become one. A home where strangers become friends and friends become family.
Through this class she will experience a new perspective in life, learning through the meanings behind art, what life is in general when it comes to the environment, and the people that makes the city a better place. This class will offer not just to her but also her peers an opportunity to appreciate what they haven’t before.

A quote that matches this class in which she’s always carried with her is “the two most important days in your life is the day you were born and the day you figure out why”.

Welcome dearly friends to Miami in Miami.

METRO AS TEXT

CREATURE OF HABIT BY LESLY GARCIA
FIU- MIAMI- September 11, 2019.

VIZCAYA AS TEXT

SECRET BY LESLY GARCIA
FIU- COCONUT GROVE- September 25, 2019.

A September spent by the secret gardens of Vizcaya, varying in different shades of flowers and sculptures. Images of what life could have been in the 1900s struck me, keeping me still in front of a waterfall.
 
A woman running carelessly across the warm sand bare feet as I chased after her for a wet, sweaty embrace. Layers upon layers of sunscreen on her freckled cheeks, the place on her shoulders already turning cherry as time lingered. Her heart becomes one with the garden in front of her. Her walls become high, blocking any passage for anyone to discover her true intentions about life. Her voice makes any flower grow from underneath the ground.
 
Through her eyes, I saw all the beautiful chaos swirling around her retina. Her pupils dilated in the dark, standing below the cave as she caught her breath, casting an unformed shadow of a woman with enchanting green eyes. Giggling and spinning in circles. It was a guide, a guide that I must follow through. The guide consists of teardrops, which enhances her own surroundings with an outcast of sympathy and serenity. Her dark hair rustled up with tree branches and petals of blood. It was an unusual sight to see.
 
Her Amazonian figure sat well on her wafer-thin body. She had a decanter shaped waist and her complexion had an impeccable, ochrous hue. Her full edgy eyebrows eased down gently to her black, beetle’s-leg eyelashes. A sculptor could not have fashioned her seraph’s ears and pixie’s nose any better.
 
When she broke into a smile, her beguiling, oyster-white teeth lit up the room. It could jolt me like an electric current when that megawatt smile gave me her full attention. Filed to perfection, her Venus-red fingernails ran through her nougat-brown hair. Spools of it plunged around her photogenic face and hid a swan’s neck, elegant and smooth. I loved her nebulous, Eden-green eyes which were a-sparkle with the ‘joie de vivre’. They were like two beryl-green jewels melted onto snow.
 
When I slowly got close to her like a predator ready to attack its prey, she sprinted, holding her dress up. She moved around the maze of the garden, I slowly being able to reach her with my fingertips. Her giggles, become a sound of music to my ears. She touches the sculpture in front of her and screams “Ha, I win what’s my prize?”
 
With a smile of mine I responded, “What would you like it to be?”
 
“First and foremost, I’ll need someone to escort me to the founder’s ball…” She slowly walked away, a smile still playing on her beautiful lips.
 
“I will be honored with pleasure,” I softly said to her.
 
She stops from her short walk, “the smart and kind Garcia coming to my rescue.”
 
We climbed up the steps and sat on a bench, capturing her hand in mine. I thought, ‘I would love to have this moment live with me forever’.
 
Our lips crashing together in unison with every wave. Her calamine-pink lips tasted like rose petals. It surprised me that they were plump and not botox-boosted as she had a demure, timorous personality. She whispered to me in a dulcet voice as sweet as any songbird. Her voguish clothes still kept captive an aroma redolent of cinnamon and meadow-fresh mint.
 
The images slowly faded away. Her delicious scent lingered around my surroundings long after her presence had gone. Her eyes became an image stuck in my brain as I left Vizcaya behind.

DEERING AS TEXT

THE CRIES OF THE FOREST BY LESLY GARCIA
FIU- Miami- October 13, 2019.

Life: better yet known as a cycle is formed through a series of events of one’s passing time (existence). Where one meets, grow something beautiful, and later on departure. Leaving behind lost traces of generational mammal decomposition and traces of one’s existence. Whether it is through art work inside a cave or a bed made out of rocks in the center of the woods.
 
Deering Estate is not a place to just visit, it is home. It cries out to each and every one of us but only a certain few can hear it. The cries of solitude and peace. It is a habitat for an infinite bundle of plants and animals, many of which are still yet to be discovered. It is a place in which supplies oxygen for many to survive. When centered in the middle of a forest and quietness takes over, one comes to realize and understand that one is connected with everything. We connect to the life force of trees, to the birds singing its lovely tunes, to the bones of a once live raccoon, etc. We surrender to the endless deaths and rebirth.  
Many die before us, giving a piece of themselves to the world whether it is through lessons and histories or by becoming one with the soil of the ground in which we walk on. Nurturing the plants and bugs, so that the next animal in the food chain may eat, and so on. The human soul along with the animals need areas in which where the environment has not been reconstructed. Deering Estate is one of those places in which it has not been rearranged, but rather grown and nurtured. Different kinds of animals lurk behind the bushes of the forest and an about to be an extinct butterfly fly over the heads of many of the students showcasing as a sign of hope that maybe just maybe there is still hope to come.
 

CHICKEN KEY AS TEXT

INVADERS BY LESLY GARCIA
FIU- MIAMI- October 23, 2019.

Red hot liquid grows from the sole of my feet. A bubble wrapped around me with no punctured holes makes the air feel so thick that I could barely breathe. As the liquid reaches my shoulder blades, panic arises. Kicking and scratching, the bubble wouldn’t bulge not even a fair minimum. Anger consumes my very own being. A small sound coming from another person’s mouth can be the end of them (figuratively). Words flow out of my mouth as it forms its own sentence without the permission of the owner, myself. These words cut deep on the stranger’s flesh. Each cut being a different word or sentence thrown at them. Hurting them like it hurts me. Yet they aren’t the solution or the problem to my own.
 
Taking a walk around the Deering Estate, I stumbled upon at the very back a body of water. The soft breeze kisses my cheeks as it cools my temper. Trees dance to a slow lullaby, groups of fish racing to their finish lines as they jump through some of their obstacles, birds flying high in the sky, etc. A boat awaited in one corner…. Calling my name to take a seat. My legs took me to it, placing one leg in front of the other. As my bum touched the wooden seat, the water began to push the boat out with no destination in mind.
 
Intruders maneuvered their way into the homes of many. A cigarette butt, plastic containers/ cups, plastic bags, etc. My anger only grew but more this time for a sole purpose. What I worried about before became the size of the ants compared to what I was worrying about in that instance. The animal’s home is becoming a toxic habitat. Toxic in the sense of them breathing, swimming around, and feeding on it. These poor creatures are dying because of the hands of my people, becoming more and more than each day passes extinct or endangered.
 
The animals begged to be helped as my hands reached out to grab the intruders. Hours passed that same day, and within those hours the boat became a mountain of intruders. Each intruder is being kicked out by a bodyguard (myself). Yet from the looks of it, one boat can even feel suffocated. So, we sent a second and a third boat with many more bodyguards. The anger became nonexistent but only the feeling of worry and contempt filled my body. Worried for the next day, for that same body of water could be invaded yet again eventually but contempt for having the power to help.

WYNWOOD AS TEXT

A BEGINNING AND AN ENDING BY LESLY GARCIA
FIU- MIAMI- DESIGN DISTRICT-  November 6, 2019.

A string of twinkling lights hangs from the ceiling and falls onto the floor. Two strings being what connects one from the other almost as if it was a message. Yet those messages could decipher more than one meaning. It could mean one person is the same as the next, or it could just mean one person has lived two kinds of live. The heart break of a family, friend, or foe… and the second being the heartbreak of death. The artist (Felix Gonzales- Torres) left it to the viewer’s interpretation, never inputting what it could really mean. Yet he did leave one clue, that every light that goes by equals the light of the human being. For one day one just simply die just like the light dies out.

Light is like a soul, it can live a long lifetime or it can live a short one at that. For each light bulb is different from the next. As each contain its own set of bolts but run through the same power line. The set of bolts could be one’s uniqueness in life yet the power line could be the same life force one contains to live, like a beating heart.

This artist along with another (Wade Guyton), seemed to contain the same ideas about the beginning and the ending of things. Unlike Felix Gonzalez- Torres, Wade Guyton revolved his work around the idea of a cartilage printing ink. Each tablet or should I say canvas had different cartilages of ink. When one ran out, he would grab the other canvas and use a new cartilage. When looking at this beautiful masterpiece it contained a certain replica meaning behind Felix’s. Which is why he probably asked to have his work next to the other artist. His meaning alike Felix is there is always a beginning and an ending to things, yet just like light bulbs that at times one might die right before the rest so does an ink cartilage. See how the black ink at times end earlier than the next or lasts longer than the next. It is all a message that many know about but at times need reminding, that life is too short. This should give the viewers the motivation to take this message and hold it deeply, and as well to live to their fullest for one may never know when it is their time to say their goodbyes.

HISTORYMIAMI AS TEXT

TREASURES BY LESLY GARCIA
FIU- Miami-November 20, 2019.

A passage of time lies ahead in HistoryMiami. Documented information or artifacts of our ancestor’s existence play a role in the shape of humanity. Telling their story and passing it on to younger generations as a reminder to keep fighting for what they wish for. From a knife made of a bone of an alligator, to a society of human beings winning against nature’s predators, to a race of people wishing to escape from another race only to be free, to then a railroad construction and the power to vote only once, to a bus and how the world slowly became more modern, and lastly to two different boats with the same problem from home but different outcomes.

To see how the world is documented and saved as precious treasures astounds me. It astounds me more to know that many folks have yet to see these treasures, many go by their day never taking a moment to appreciate how society has grown and still has yet to grow. Indulging myself in the stories told from each room as I felt a sense of wonder. Almost as if I was there in those times. Crazy how the mind can create moving images, placing the person in a scene where they have never stood or lived. Yet with these images I grow more love for others.

A story in which struck me the most was when the lovely tour guide Maria Moreno spoke of the differences between the boat and the raft. How the boat was sailed by a couple of Haitians who were seeking refuge. Wishing to live a life that would be better for their young ones. Along with the raft that arrived with five Cubans seeing refuge. However, each receiving a different outcome. How crazy the world is to turn their back on a race due to their color of skin. When we do not differ from the next. Yet this problem has been known way back as well and to this day it still is.

These treasures are a reminder of not to be who you want to be but also a reminder to keep fighting for rights rather than wrongs. To stand with different nationalities, race, sexuality, etc. And to believe that we the people can do right, but only if we truly try. The treasures of the past and its troubles only remind us to go forward rather than backwards. To never have to deal with the same footsteps many went through. But to only push forward and seek for the better in the people and the world. Better yet…

TREAT PEOPLE WITH KINDNESS.

ART MIAMI AS TEXT

HIDDEN GEMS BY LESLY GARCIA
FIU- Miami Beach-December 4, 2019.

Throughout the first half of the course in Miami in Miami, Professor Baily taught the class what it means to live in a city. Where all the hidden gems could be found and what one learns from their experience in being first hand in a place where many consider it as home. Art revolves all around one’s being, from it being nature, to the history of our ancestors, and lastly to a man-made canvas or sculptures. On our last stop for the semester, Professor Baily finished the class with a BIG BANG. A big bang indeed.

A divergent collection of art pieces from across the globe, standing proudly within both of the fairs found within Miami: UNTITLED and ART MIAMI. UNTITLED welcomed guests with open arms as each slot or space within contained different artists from different nationalities. Tackling down one’s significance of their historical, social, and cultural identity. Their art enables controversial topics; however, they try to address it in a way by reminding us of its power in a political and literary way. It also reflects the changes from something so traditional to something so contemporary, and times it comes hand in hand. We find examples of this within the beautiful art works of Kawayan de Guia, Joana Choumali, Arlés De Río, etc.

As one sees the different pieces from each booth, their minds expand with the knowledge of each artist’s background. An artist who fell ill but painted in bed, pictures she once took on an IPhone from her trip to Africa. An organic artist that went on a canoe for a couple of days, checking upon the mangroves for they are an indicator of health in the ecosystem. He worked with a team of his own, researching more about the topic and in ways creating ceramics based on the structure of the mangrove for the pleasure of the aesthetic and because it is conceptual. An artist who plays with space and with nature perspectives. An artist who taught herself to sow, who has a tapestry skill along with photographing. An artist who creates African symbols through ceramics. An artist who focuses more on geometry imperialism, etc.

The word Artist and its meaning is far beyond just one definition, for they are more than what my hands can count.

ART MIAMI is another amazing fair that was brought to life by many other artists. However, the difference between ART MIAMI and UNTITLED is that this fair is a second-hand seller within this fair many of the artworks contained a prison painting with bright neon colors to a Swarovski crystal Buddha to an in-depth perception railroad, etc. Never in my life would I have been able to say I’ve witnessed and saw firsthand a Pablo Picasso art work. It was funny seeing his little doodles and then left breathless when hearing about its price. Aside from new incoming artists and their art pieces that seemed to stand out the most due to their colors and sense of style on it. There was also an artist aside from Pablo Picasso in which I’ve heard about here and there, Basquiat and Banksy.

I applaud and praise many artists as I come to learn how long it takes to finish an art piece of their own and how well done it is as they focus on the smallest details. Their work of art brings attention in a global stance as they point out the good and the bad, never focusing on just one side of the spectrum. With what I’ve learned, I hope to carry it with me. To never give up, reach for my dreams, and know that in my heart I can do this. For the only person who holds me back is me alone.  

Everglades as Text

ROOTS BY LESLY GARCIA

FIU- Everglades- January 22, 2020

Within the walk the surfaces were quite bumpy, some had a steep hole and others were flat surfaces. A stick is what kept us from falling, falling to the traps that the animals have made underwater. Alligators lurking on the sideline, away from their prey. They hide in the depths of the water either sleeping or relaxing under the blazing sun in a cold day. Pig frogs chanting their lullabies nearby, birds joining in with their own tune, and the flies moving around in a loop of circles. 

The class were witnessing the beauty behind the everglades through a tour. A tour that has kept us speechless yet wanting to ask even more questions. The student’s eyes were hypnotized by the movement of the water, they smiled and laugh whenever they were close to hitting the water face first when a secretive deep hole laid ahead of them, and the teacher was watching closely as the trees move when the wind kisses it.

Two species of cypresses are found within the everglades, the bald cypress (which goes by the name taxodium distichum) and the pond cypress (taxodium ascendens). Aside from this the area contains a variety of plants and trees in which thrive within the wetland habitat. With 2 million acres of divergent living things, lays the saw grass, bladderwort, and mangrove trees as well. This is Florida’s beautiful treasure. People can come and visit, learn about the wonderful heart of Florida through a bike ride, paddling, and/or going on a tour. Their rangers are trained and well informed about the everglades and its hidden treasures.  They have great spirit and vibes. 

Everglades is a home to many, not just to their animals but to their people as well. It is a place where one can feel at peace and connected to their roots of being born on Earth.

South Beach as Text

OUT OF FASHION BY LESLY GARCIA
FIU- SOUTH BEACH- February 19, 2020.

At the start of the late 1960s, a revived spirit of interest towards the design of Art Deco flourished. Entering the 21st era, Art Deco became an influence towards fascinating fields of art, whether it was a decorative art, a custom piece, or a jewel design. South Beach holds the central heart of Art Deco. The trend was manifested through notable characteristics in western Europe and the United States throughout the 1930s. The custom was discovered to be first displayed in Paris, where its title originated from the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes.” It held a style that incorporated a sense of beauty in which it represented prosperity and poise in the times. An instance in which to this date the Art Deco is being used is in the grand hotels called, Park Central Hotel, Starlite Hotel, and Beacon Hotel.

With its newly updated art deco-style studios that include grand bedding, marble lavatories, mini-bars, sleek furniture, etc. South Beach is thought to have the nation’s highest collection of Art Deco architecture, which, as stated in the Greater Miami and Beaches site, “features over 900 historic buildings.” These localities include pastel-colored homes that are ornamented with compelling innovations, from its polished shades, chrome accents, etc. A historic preservationist, Barbara Baer Capitman, made it her mission to maintain, guard, and boost the image and uprightness of the South Miami Beach Historic District.

One way to fully differentiate modern architecture style from Art Deco is through the construction it is finished with like chrome, glass block, aluminum, iron, etc. They also contain a robust perpendicular accent to it. Art Deco also uses uncommon styling visions, an example of one being nature. It would involve a remarkable form of falls, aurorae, palm tree leaves. Aside from South Beach, people can find Art Deco architecture around other locations in Miami, like the Actor’s Playhouse at the Miracle Theater in Coral Gables.

Work Cited

“Art Deco Historic District in Miami Beach: South Beach, FL.” In Miami Beach: South Beach, FL, http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/thing-to-do/attractions/art-deco-historic-district/2116.

This post is dedicated to Maria Cruz’s Ineffable Miami Project she had to complete for her Honors course in the Fall of 2019. Acting as a tour guide for the illustrious are of Miracle Mile these are her findings.

Student Biography

Maria Karla Cruz Velazquez is currently a senior at the Honors College at Florida International University majoring in International Relations and minoring in Marketing. Fresh from her study abroad trip she completed this past summer in France with Professor Bailly she is in the midst of completing her final year at FIU, greatly looking forward to graduating in the Spring of 2020. Her travels abroad have reignited her interests in the arts, inspiring her to pursue a career focused on the intercultural aspects of international relations through non-traditional forms. Through her academic and future professional endeavors she aims to bring a holistic awareness between arts, politics, and cultural dynamics of the global arena. While her studies are a major focus of her life, outside of school she loves traveling, new places to eat, and hanging out with her friends — all things that can be found in FIU’s Honors College new course Miami in Miami and are bound to make for an exciting semester.

Overview

Located in the very center of Coral Gables, or what some people refer to as the “downtown” area of the city, Miracle Mile is one of Miami’s most distinguished sites. Stretching just 0.5 miles of the entirety of Coral Way, this section of the road perfectly embodies the affluent environment of the surrounding neighborhood. While it was initially founded in 1922, it was not until 1949 that Miracle Mile developed to be one of Miami’s leading centers for business and commerce, and garnering the interest (and investments) of the richest in the city. This statement is still relevant to this day as the area is known for its expensive boutiques, parking garages overrun by foreign luxury cars, pricy restaurants, and the leisure lifestyle of those with the highest socioeconomic status.

Historical Insight

Recognized as one of the main streets for both the city of Coral Gables and the county of Miami-Dade, Miracle Mile has played an important role in the development of south Miami as it has transitioned to be one of America’s leading metropolitan areas. While Miracle Mile is merely a smaller portion of Coral Way it has its own distinguished history and has gained notoriety amongst locals and tourists alike.

Real estate developer George E. Merrick, who’s most well-known project was the establishment of the City of Coral Gables, had the original vision for Miracle Mile, laying out the design for it when he originally found Coral Gables. However, it was after the conclusion of World War II, in 1949, that the concept of Miracle Mile that has been preserved throughout the decades was “conceived, developed, and implemented,” by City Commissioner Rebyl Zain and her husband George K. Zain. The couples were able to transform Merrick’s earlier aspirations of introducing a successful commercial district to the area to what it currently is today. Acting as one of Miami’s main hubs of shopping and dining, attracting individuals of all ages as it provides a relaxed and leisure environment during the day and later changing to a more exciting atmosphere for its bustling nightlife. Therefore, whether its families looking to take their kids out on for a fun day or college students hoping for a fun night out there are plenty of activities to do in this small boulevard and its surrounding areas. 

While I had visited Miracle Mile before starting this project, I had never been as observant of my surroundings nor spent so much time there. All of my experiences, like many of my friends, have been limited to merely driving by as we are heading to another destination in Coral Gables or stopping by to dine at the latest trending restaurant. Yet, after my prolonged time there I came to the realization that it is one of the few areas in Miami that I have found throughout my months of re-exploration of the city with the class that makes it a goal to share their historical significance and preserve its original mission. Still despite all the plaques of its grand successes and innovation Miracle Mile, and Coral Gables in general, largely ignores its impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods. Being one of Miami’s richest neighborhoods, visiting the city feels like being in a completely different state. There is wider access to public transportation, more open areas for walking, cleaner streets, less intense traffic (aside from U.S. 1), and more local businesses — all things not associated with the average Miami experience. It is quite evident that the resources allocated here are not equal to other places throughout the county. The realities of their residents and those that frequent the shopping boulevard is so distinct from a majority of Miami’s residents that one can not help to be equally amazed and disillusioned.

Geography

Much like the rest of Miami, Miracle Mile is a completely flat stretch of road that is at the mercy of the surrounding mercurial, tropical environment. Many (like myself before the start of this project) assume that Miracle Mile encompasses the entirety of the main road, but it is in fact just the portion of the Coral Way between Douglas Road and Le Jeune Road. This designated section was officially named “Miracle Mile” in 1955, its name referring to the hope its developers had for this new venture to bring economic revenue to the area following the Great Depression.

My initial interest in Miracle Mile and desire to further explore it for this project is mainly due to the fact that it is one of the few places I know of in Miami where you can explore its entirety by foot and in a reasonable time. Even more importantly, it is one of the few developed areas in Miami where you can freely walk without fear of running into a crazy driver. Despite us being so advanced, Miami was never supposed to become the grand city it is; therefore, the original city plans that were built upon throughout the decades of development are often criticized for the spacing and public transportation it has caused. As someone who has lived a majority of their life in the suburbs, Miracle Mile is especially interesting because it offers the complete opposite to what I am accustomed to.

Additional notes on greenery

Unsurprisingly, aside from the palm trees lining the road there is not much greenery to be seen in Miracle Mile. This is just one of the many areas of Miami that have been overrun with buildings and paved roads, where the expansive landscape of mangroves and other natural habitats have been sacrificed for the sake of modernity. The most noticeable patch of green is by the City Hall where there is a small park for children; however, this is by no means a significant amount of land, especially when compared to how many concrete and limestone structures dominate the remaining streetscape. 

Additional notes on transportation

As previously mentioned, Miami does not have the best track record with public transportation — a commonly said phrase amongst its locals is that “if you do not have a car, you are not getting anywhere.” However, this is one of the few areas that can actually be accessed through public transportation, both through the Metro Rail and city trolley, if you choose to not drive over. Moreover, there is plenty of space for those who wish to ride bicycles, scooters, or any other form of pedestrian-vehicle along the sidewalks and open streets.

Interview and Demographics

During my time exploring Miracle Mile, I had two guests with me, Victoria Suarez and Gustavo Tovar — two students of the University of Miami and are frequent visitors of Miracle Mile. Their short distance from the area means that they often frequent it and have vastly more knowledge than me on the latest activities and trending spots. Below are some of the highlights of my interview with them.

As college students what stands out the most to you about Miracle Mile and Coral Gables in general?

 V: I would say the sense of community that defines the neighborhood because even though these places that are off-campus everyone always frequents them, so it’s become this “campus off-campus” site. Like how we just saw Ameer (a friend of theirs from the same university we ran into earlier in the day), and he was stepping off-campus to unwind for a bit before going back. So it’s a very welcoming environment for a lot of people.                                                                                                                                           

G: I think for me I like the rich history the most. Like I find it beautiful that the buildings are still very much old and historic, I love the limestone and mixture of architectural styles for the buildings... It’s also not often that you see so many preserved locations, such as the old movie theater and city hall, in Miami.

Now that you have pointed out the differences, does this area remind you more of Miami or places outside of the city (or states)?

V: I still think it’s very much Miami.

G: I think for me this place is definitely an anomaly in the sense of what Miami is made up of, because if you go to [the suburbs where we live] it’s not historical or well kept like this.

V: Right, so that’s why [Miracle Mile] is seen as the center of the city, because it’s where you see the best of what we have to offer manifest itself.

G: I understand that perspective but I think it’s equally important to note the dichotomy between the old and new, and how that influences our community’s (as a whole) perspectives on these locations. So, Coral Gables and similar areas are seen as “the real Miami” and everywhere is else is kind of like a background.

In comparison to the suburbs where you live and grew up in, do you prefer this area or your home?

G: I like this place better because I feel like there’s a lot of walking distance you can cover on your own and a variety of associated activities... as opposed to where we live where you need a car to get anywhere.

V: It’s like a good middle ground between the city and the suburbs, you get a good mix of both so it’s easier to both navigate and live in.

G: My only issue is how horrendous the parking situation is.

V: And the city planning as well, like we were just talking about how this city wasn’t built to be as big as it is now. So while these are some major downsides it’s justified.

Off the top of your head, what is the top place you recommend visiting in Miracle Mile?

V: Coral Gables Art Cinema, the local theater, and Books & Books are at the top of my list. I think these are places a lot of people will enjoy visiting. I also know they host a few festivals near the main street throughout the year, like this art one that’s put up in the Spring, so that’s something I would recommend as well because of it’s accessibility.

G: Those are my top recommendations as well, but every time I come to try a new restaurant here I always have a good time, so I would tell others to explore the restaurant options based on their preferences. Even if you’re a local and frequent the area, Miracle Mile is an area where there’s constantly something new to try out.                                                                                                      

Aside from the candidness of their responses, what was most interesting to me was how their individual answers resonated with my own observations and thoughts. Living in Miami, there is always so much going on that it is impossible to pay attention to it all simultaneously. As a result, many (including myself) stick to their daily routines and forget that there are more people than just yourself and your small bubble of friends, family members, and acquaintances. This disconnection from your local community makes you think that you are alone in your experiences, which I have felt many times before, but it is important to remember that this is not the reality. This is definitely an idea I have reconciled throughout our different class expeditions this semester and my individual explorations for this project.

I also chose two college-aged individuals to interview because when I have visited Miracle Mile in the past it was very evident that it is an area frequented more by those in younger generations, and the statement still stands. While there were some families out together, when I was there researching for the project I saw a lot more people around my age range. This may be surprising to some as Coral Gables as a whole is seen as a very family-friendly residential area and higher price points of the luxury boutiques and popular restaurants tend to repel younger people; however, there is no doubt the proximity of UM has skewed the demographics of the city’s most known locations. This is especially discernible at night where you will find the crowds from open businesses spilling out into the sidewalks as hundreds of people are trying to get into the trendiest spots. Therefore, while they may not visit Miracle Mile to shop or drop obscene amounts of money, they still show up because of their attraction to its bustling environment and desire to partake in the many ongoing activities. 

Observations

When you first arrive at Miracle Mile the most notable thing is its extensive space for pedestrians and recreational activities alike. This open planning allows for a casual and relaxed ambiance for the day before enhancing the dynamic energy of the boulevard at night. There are barely any areas left in Miami that have preserved this type of versatile environment, choosing instead to adapt to the rules of uniformity of modern urban planning — much to the dismay of our community and local businesses. Overall, this section is very reminiscent of Europe to me as streets just like it are found all throughout and getting the chance to explore them was one of my favorite activities during my travels there. From seeing friends riding bikes together to artists painting en plein air in the sidewalks my time at Miracle Mile was a very refreshing break from the chaos that my Miami life is. This is one of the key reasons why this road is one of the remaining developments of its type that has “maintained its original purpose and significance” in the continental United States.

Additional notes on landmarks

Due to the short length of this road there are not many notorious landmarks around; however, the ones that are present are important in adding to the cultural richness of the street and by default the city. Of political importance is not just Coral Gables’ historic City Hall but the various embassies that are found near the main street as well. These locations have played significant roles in Miami’s development in both the domestic and international arena, and as a result, have made the local area even more illustrious than it originally was. Moreover, there are several markers located along the street that informs visitors of past figure and events that were major contributors to forging Mr. Merrick’s dreams into a reality. There are also places like the Coral Gables Art Cinema and Books & Books (as previously discussed in the interview) that are well known in our local community. These are hallmark places that through the widespread appreciation of Miami residents have been embedded into the image of Miracle Mile.

Additional notes on food and businesses

As the heart of the Central Business District there are constantly new locales to visit, even more so since the boulevard’s redesigning to attract more tourists and keep up with the modern demands of locals. Still, the original beauty and elegance of this street are standards that have been upheld by local merchants, adding a layer of authenticity to the surroundings that many developed cities are currently lacking. The businesses on Miracle Mile are more than just luxury boutiques and pricey eateries; despite, the superficial beliefs of consumer culture their presence reinforces they have played an equal role in creating a distinct neighborhood that has allowed them to preserve this sense of community so many desperately seek.

Reflection

The term “ineffable” refers to a concept that is “too great or extreme” to be merely described in words, something I definitely think is applicable to my findings of Miracle Mile. For example, for me, my personal exploration of this sector was a great reinforcer of past societal and cultural judgments I have made of my home city, Miami. As a thriving downtown boulevard, this reality of the people that live in this area is vastly different from my own, from the resources allocated to there to peoples’ perception of its cultural value. Solely by traveling to and from there, you can see the substantial economic disparity between residents from that area and the rest of the city. Miracle Mile is merely a microcosm for a much larger issue that plagues our home, and these are topics that have barely been acknowledged by those in power that are capable of introducing the necessary means for change. While spending a day there is fun for all that go, I could not discuss the beauty of it without recognizing the many problems that are widely ignored because of the illusions of refinement and excellence centers like this cover up. It is important to remind visitors, like I have been thanks to the themes tackled in this class, that there is much more to our original appreciation of a location.

Works Cited

A History of Coral Gables

Miracle Mile: The Evolution of a Street

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=83130

https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/thing-to-do/shopping/miracle-mile-downtown-coral-gables-shopping-district/2904

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_Mile_(Coral_Gables)

https://www.miaminewtimes.com/arts/walk-through-miracle-miles-history-at-the-coral-gables-museums-latest-exhibition-8315270

The beautiful gifts one can bestow upon another are Time and Kindness. When one is giving their time to someone else, they are offering a portion of their life in which it may never get back. Lending a helping hand to one in need and never expecting a thank you. This act of kindness lies within the act of giving and never taking.

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I hope to continue this route of giving back to my community in any way, shape, or form after this semester.

PS. Please enjoy this small clip of Jose singing “Mucho Corazón” by Luis Miguel; I hope to bring a smile on one’s face and make their day with this.

WORK CITED

i, Author Details Erum Naqvi × Erum Naqvi .uab-field, and Author Details. “Alzheimer’s Disease Statistics.” Alzheimer’s News Today, https://alzheimersnewstoday.com/alzheimers-disease-statistics/.

IDAMNIS PEREZ | CNA SPECIAL PROGRAM

ADDRESS: 9820 N Kendall Dr, Miami, 33176

STUDENT BIOGRAPHY

Lesly Garcia was born in a small town in Florida in the winter of 1999. An American to some but a Hispanic to many, coming from both lovely parents who were raised in Cuba and fought to come to the state to build a better future for their daughter. Twenty years old and currently a junior at Florida International University. She is currently majoring in English with a Literature track and works at the FIU Engineering Center as a Proctor. As a hobby, she dances ballet in her spare time and dreams to one day be on Broadway dancing Giselle, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, etc.

GEOGRAPHY

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In the urban roots of Miami, Florida lays a diverse district called Wynwood. It is known for the numerous residences of art exhibits, variety shops, wide-ranging pubs, nonindustrial handmade eateries, and one of the large urban-art establishments known today. However, before it was known as today an art city central, it used to be nothing but abandoned gray warehouses where businesses used to manufacture their items. The one who made it out to be known today is Tony Goldman, seeing the blank walls as canvases to be painted on.

Wynwood is stationed, according to Wikipedia, north of Downtown Miami and Overtown, abutting to Edgewater. It contains two significant sub-regions, Wynwood Art District, which is in the northern hemisphere of Wynwood, and Wynwood Fashion District, which is found by West 5th Avenue. It is also approximately split by North 20th St. to the South, I-95 to the North, I-95 to the West, and the Florida East Coast Railway to the East.

From northern to southern to western to eastern, the district measures about seven thousand seven hundred and twenty-five square miles. Sadly, there isn’t for sure a park in Wynwood except for Roberto Clemente Park; it is a park that contains a baseball field on the side. It may not have any attractions to it, but it does indeed have a good view when the sun goes down. Another “park,” which isn’t technically a park since it isn’t for the public, is José de Diego Middle School Park, called Robert E. Lee Park (Wikipedia).

Today, this district is recognizable globally for its destination of unique fashionable art, clothing, buildings, and businesses. It is one of the most exceptional communities in the United States for its diversity from not just the age gap but also the race and sexuality.

HISTORY

Before the moderation and artistic side of Wynwood, in Miami-History.com says that the district was initially separated and sold off by two Miamians named Josiah Chaille and Hugh Anderson. The area in which both men invested in 1917 was initially thought to be a meadow and a portion of the Pulaski Estate. By 1913 the city of Miami would have considered Wynwood to be part of North Miami. Crazy behavior and legal alcohol in the past tense were slowly taking part in North Miami.

Josiah Chaille is best known for working for the Miami City Council and working in the retail business with his father. Most of the street names in which many pass by and use as a sense of direction were thought out to be part of Chaille’s plan around October 1920.

His companion, Hugh Anderson, went from working as a hotel clerk to becoming a millionaire due to a time where Miami became its best days. Along with being a founding father of Wynwood, he was also according to the site “involved with the development of Miami Shores and the Venetian Islands.”. Not only that, but he was also one of the constructors of Biscayne Boulevard. The last thing that was recorded about him was that his wealth and possessions were wasted and then finally passed away.

Both men took Wynwood around 1917 and decided to call it what it is today, Wynwood. Months later, it became known as Wynwoo Park (without the “d”), but the people decided against it and referred to it as just Wynwood again.

Wynwood was best known for its factory laborers, but there were also middle-class families staying there. Stores started to open up, bakery becoming well known all around for its freshly pleasant smell, and the Coca-Cola plantation opened up in 1926. Many job opportunities were opening up, and the people rushed to work in the beautiful district as well as live around the area.

At around the 1920s, Wynwood became a fashionable district for clothing stores, Cubans migrating in the early 1960s helping out with the work as it gradually grew to how it is now. There were about two hundred and twenty-five businesses within around that time, “$64 million in sales” (Miami-history.com), and “manufacturers drew about $125 million” annually.
As 20 years passed, South Koreans bought many of the stores within Wynwood’s Fashion District.

Now, around the early 2000s, there was industrial migration and decline. Still, great minds came together and came with an idea of using the neglected warehouses and factories as a business of art.

But what makes Wynwood peek is the street art itself. Since the launch and opening of the Second Saturday Art Walk and Art Basel, the community of artists has become outstanding. Around the world, an artist would travel to come and see the district, gain inspiration from it, and showcase it to the world. Leaving a continuous pattern of people learning more and more about the Wynwood area itself.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Wynwood rests on a total population of about 17,923 people, with Miami alone having 432,622, according to areavibes.com. Florida overall has a population of 19,934,451. If speaking in Density terms, then it would be 10,246 for Wynwood, 12,022 for Miami, and Florida 294. After much research, Wynwood’s median age was 35.2, leaving a Male/Female ratio of about 1.2:1. Not sure how many are married, for there are no answers to it, but there is a percentage of families with kids under 18, and that is 47%. The population density overall in Wynwood is 15% lower than in Miami itself. It is also 11% lower in median age than Miami. However, there is 70.50% of White staying at Wynwood, 19.11% being African American, and lastly, 1.28% being Asian.

Going through the cost of living is 2% more expensive than the US average, being around 102 while Miami is only 109. A change of being a victim when it comes to Wynwood crime is 1 in 15, 6,930 per 100k people crimes being committed. Next is employment; the median household income is $53,417, 3% lower than the US average. The median rent price is $1,296, Median home value $156,805, and Home Ownership 22/100.

INTERVIEW WITH PAST RESIDENT, FLORIAN

Were you born and raised in Wynwood?

No, I was born in France but decided to move to the United States to have a better future for myself. I wanted to visit a new place I’ve never gone to and put myself out there. Learn without the help of my parents on what it means to be independent and an adult. 

Have you ever seen yourself opening a bakery in Wynwood?

I would say yes, although it seems hard it isn’t impossible. Right now, I’m living in Washington, but all I could ever hope for is to open various bakery shops around the world. 

What did you enjoy the most in Wynwood?

The community. It has a different vibe than where I’ve come from. Here one interacts with another easily due to a piece of art; people are more outgoing and confident. I’ve also enjoyed most of my time in Wynwood when I was with my girlfriend, and we would go on each date somewhere different around the area. It would be a new museum, restaurant, or shop we’ve never seen before or so happened to pass by it. Wynwood changed me for the better. I’ve come to understand myself and even learned English while working here in Zak the Baker. 

LANDMARK

Some of the most well-known landmarks in Wynwood are the art museums: The Marguiles Warehouse Collection, Rubell Family Collection, and Calix Gustav Collection. Each museum has its flair for personality and differences when it comes to the art world.

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Rubell Family Collection:  Rubell has a fantastic gallery; it is filled with each different room contemporary art. It contains a lot of divergences; it tries to get the audience’s attention by trying to push the viewer to see the pieces through different lenses. There are collections of sculptures, paintings, and mixed media pieces. For one to enter, the admission cost is $10, which is not that bad. Aside from it being a gallery, it also has a small book and gift store. Don’t miss the opportunity of going!

The Marguiles Warehouse Collection: Speaks in volumes, whether it is through the beautiful art piece of the headless bodies, space, and symmetry from a white cube, a face that speaks words slowly about beauty and nature, etc. It is a nonprofit institute that exhibits collections and educational programs. They have a mind-boggling compilation of some of the greatest Anselm Kiefer of time. It is an enormous and spacious museum; just don’t judge the book by its cover.

GREEN SPACE

Roberto Clemente Park: This beautiful, peaceful park is about 25 acres long, there is a baseball field next to it. Sadly, this park does not contain any attractions like other parks, but it does make up for it for the beautiful view of the sun going down. It is also the right place if one ever decides to have a picnic date or get together. There’snot much information about this park; it feels more like a hidden gem.

Robert E. Lee Park (José de Diego Park): For this small park, it is also not very well known, but it is still considered a park. Yet, this park is off-limits to the public, for it is only accessible for the students that go to the school.

I did more research about why there weren’t any parks near Wynwood, but I did find out that the community is asking for one. It is still being thought-out or planned by the people on how it would look.

TRANSPORTATION

There are various forms of transportation and ways around going into Wynwood. There was this small scooter rental shop (forgot the name), in which one can take it for a couple of hours but must return it afterward. Wynwood is supplied with a Metro bus and Miami’s free trolley assistance throughout the district. According to Wikipedia, it is by “Metromover’s School Board Station” located in the south of Wynwood and by the “Miami Metrorail in adjoining Allapattah” which is located in 36 St./ US 27 and NW 12 Avenue.

Aside from this, there are other abilities to go to and from Wynwood; there are also carpool bicycles, taxis, etc.

The best results, in my opinion, are the Metro Bus and Miami’s free trolley. One spends less on those two options, even if it takes time to get there. But once arrived in Wynwood, there is no need to drive here and there, everything is just a block away.

FOOD

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Now for the best part, FOOD! Wynwood contains a variety of different cultural foods, and most of these restaurants aren’t found anywhere else but here. I remember walking one day with my friends to a donut shop called as you guess it by the picture, The Salty Donuts. These donuts aren’t like any other donuts I’ve ever tasted. The only con to it is its price range, but if you are a person like me who only spends money on the gratification of having delicious food in your tummy, then this is it! It has also been a favorite for many locals as well, as they take pictures and post it on all kinds of social media accounts. There is a long and drenching line, but the staff is super friendly once speaking to them. This small store is super cozy, and it is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. There are large tables inside and a couple of bar stools on one end. It contains fresh ingredients and a watery mouth taste.

The next stop was 1-800 Lucky. I’ve come here several times due to their delicious ramen. It is an intimate, relaxing space with a food truck ambiance but all of the amenity of a restaurant. There are a variety of selections of food to choose from, different counters to pick-and-mix once favorite dishes. Music blasted outside, and people gathered around chatting away, smiling. Sadly, it was on that one trips the class went to Wynwood when I entered 1-800 Lucky with a classmate and found out the best ramen restaurant was moving to another location. BUT HAVE NO FEAR! There are still many other ramen shops around Wynwood.

After that delicious taste of Ramen, my pals and I decided to walk into an ice cream shop, they make a unicorn out of it, and it’s utterly beautiful. I also sadly don’t recall the name, but it shouldn’t be hard to find.

BUISNESS

Although I spoke already about 1-800 Lucky, there is one thing I left out, and that is they sell a collection of Vinyl if one is into the old school kind of way of listening to music on their record player. The collections are brand new, and they are less expensive than what one would expect. Let alone, if one went to enter Urban Outfitters, the prices of some of their pieces of vinyl are crazy high-priced than in this small shop. There is music from the 80s, 90s, and more — a variety of genres from disco to classical to rap to pop to rock. Everything one ever needs in there.

Next to 1-800 Lucky is a small shop that contains super expensive clothing pieces; they are all handmade but again costly. Just thinking about it just makes my heartache. The clothing pieces are beautiful and unique in their way. It has designs of musicians on the back of a pair of jeans to a leather jacket with crystals all around the collar. If I were rich, I’d most likely have my closet filled with their clothes. I believe the reasons as to why it is also super expensive isn’t just due to how it was made but also the time it took and the area they are selling it in.

SUMMARY

Overall, Wynwood is the place to be. There are pros and cons to this district, but there are pros and cons all around in other regions or states. What seems to have worked for many is the eye-opening knowledge of different cultures in one place, the different nationalities, genders, age-gap, and sexuality. It brings a sense of home to many, for it doesn’t try to exclude others by excluding I mean, racism, and homophobes. Although the art brings attention to many across the globe, I would have to say it is the people that make it better in the district. The cons have to be more on the pricey side of things. Although the clothes are handmade and unique, not many end up buying stuff from the place due to its crazy price. Many enter, but many leave empty-handed. If there was a way to change this, then I think one should. Aside from that, everything is okay.

WORK CITED

“Wynwood.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 June 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wynwood.

Piket, Casey. “History of Wynwood Miami.” Miami History Home, 9 Aug. 2015, http://miami-history.com/history-of-wynwood-miami/.

Areavibes. “Wynwood, Miami, FL Livability.” Living In Wynwood, FL – Wynwood Livability, https://www.areavibes.com/miami-fl/wynwood/livability/#amenities-jmp.

On the third Sunday of every month, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami hosts Family Day, where parents and their kids are invited to make art and partake in different activities. I was fortunate enough to be able to volunteer in the December edition of Family Day! The day started at 10am with a brief tour of the staff-exclusive areas of the museum, and we then gathered supplies and set up all the necessary preparations for the event. We were assigned to one of four tents, each with a different activity. My tent was “Hand in Hand,” where kids and their parents trace their hand on construction paper, write a descriptive word on it, and tape it onto a wall, culminating in a free-form poem by the end.

This experience gave me much-needed practice in interacting with people. I was admittedly scared before the families started coming in, but the event was a lot more light-hearted and casual than I expected. Shortly after beginning, I was already comfortable enough to greet the families with a smile and explain the activity. The staff were also extremely nice people, and participated in the events with us. I am lucky to have had this opportunity at ICA Miami, and I am truly considering returning another month!

Reference Contact Information:

Itzel Basualdo

volunteers@icamiami.org

Family Day Volunteer – 12/15/19; 7 hours