The esteemed artist and professor Carlos Enrique Prado visited the museum's facilities with several of his students in preparation for his solo exhibition, Stubborn, which will open to the public on June 14th at the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas in The Crossings, Kendall. Alongside Prado's exhibition, and as part of the ArtEdConnect program—formerly known as SOFLO New Artist—a group of six MFA students from the University of Miami will showcase their work in an exhibition titled Converging Plateaus. Accompanying Prado on this occasion were students Monia Meluzzi, Alian Martinez Rives, and Lucas Varnun.
ArtEdConnect emerges as a vital bridge connecting two essential spheres for the promotion of culture and creativity in society. On one hand, MoCAA, a bastion of contemporary art in South Florida, offers an extensive repertoire of artworks and exhibitions that reflect the unique trends, challenges, and perspectives of the continent. On the other hand, public art schools and their organizations represent the breeding ground for future artists, educators, and cultural leaders, who view art as a means of expression, reflection, and social transformation. This exceptional and fruitful collaboration stands as a pioneering initiative in the realm of education and cultural dissemination. It emphasizes the importance of forging close connections between the world of contemporary art and art education, providing an unparalleled platform for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and resources.
On June 14, 2024, the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas will open two exhibitions to the public. Converging Plateaus showcases artworks by a group of graduate students from the University of Miami. As its title suggests, the exhibition proposes a meeting point where diverse artistic perspectives converge. These students, currently enrolled in the MFA program, will exhibit pieces created during their second and third years. Notably, despite being in the midst of refining their craft and developing their artistic visions, they have already demonstrated significant evolution in their work. Converging Plateaus reveals a common thread: the collective will to explore multiple approaches and techniques to produce exceptional pieces, while each artist navigates their unique artistic journey. The collection spans a variety of media, including painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, and illustration, offering a comprehensive view of the diversity and quality of the art program at the University of Miami.
The exhibition will present to the South Florida audience works by promising young artists Natalie Galindo, Zuyi Jin, Alian Martínez Rives, Monia Meluzzi, Lucas Varnun, and Cherlynn Zhang.
Stubborn, a solo exhibition featuring ceramic sculptures by Carlos Enrique Prado, a visual artist and professor of ceramics at the University of Miami, presents a collection of works inspired by classical statuary, particularly torsos and heads, transformed with the unexpected incorporation of industrial objects. Through this juxtaposition, the exhibition invites viewers to reconsider the legacy of Western values and our perceptions of various aspects of life.
