Village of Merrick Park Hosts "Family Day"

Village of Merrick Park invites you and your family for an afternoon of shopping and fun on Saturday, April 9, from 2-5pm, at The Garden in Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables.

Enjoy family-friendly activities including:

* Scavenger hunt, create your own shopping bag, face painting, balloon artistry, stilt-walker and an interactive kids DJ.

* Raffle to benefit the Children's First Society for the University of Miami Pediatrics -- A foundation dedicated to supporting the treatment and prevention of illnesses in children throughout South Florida and beyond.

* Visit participating merchants during event hours for special offers and activities:

Anthropologie: Plant potting celebration of Earth Day

Borders: Storybook reading at 3:30pm

Gymboree Play & Music: Create your own children's ID cards

Pottery Barn Kids: Easter baskets* and Easter bunny drawing contest (*While supplies last)

Please also visit Babycottons, Edward Beiner, Benetton 012 and Bognar & Piccolini for in-store promotions!

For more information please contact 305-529-0200 or visit the event website.

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University Of Miami Wynwood Project Space Presents Brian Gefen's 'Development of Power vs. Untitled Creatures'

The Department of Art and Art History, in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Miami presents the Master of Fine Arts exhibition by contemporary artist, Brian Gefen, beginning March 12, 2011.

The exhibition titled, “Development of Power vs. Untitled Creatures” is a progressive series of narrative artwork that grasps ideas out of various 20th century artists to create an endless graphic narrative. The exhibition will be available for viewing from March 12-25 at the University of Miami Wynwood Project Space, 2200-A N.W. 2 Ave., Miami.

Brian Gefen

Potato site 3, 2010

Acrylic Paint and Mixed Medium

40 x 30

The theme of the exhibition, "Development of Power vs. Untitled Creatures," demonstrates a conflicting mythical world in which characters battle one another for food and the basic amenities of life. The mythical world exposes a system of nobility, featuring King Steamer and Queen Tatiana Dee Dee.  Untitled Creatures is tribal, with leaders such as Doyleox, Helmet Jack and Hixon.

"Development of Power" controls the food and weapons which are heavily guarded by the security farmers who are constantly on alert because the opposing, Untitled creatures, lurk around the land in an attempt to steal food.  The two groups cannot agree on anything and as a result tension grows. This discord is displayed through Brian Gefen’s series of paintings in "Development of Power vs. Untitled Creatures."

Aesthetically, Brian Gefen’s painting surfaces are visually flat but complimented by many strongly contrasting color combinations and lively characters illustrating events in the ongoing, unfolding artistic drama of "Development of Power vs. Untitled Creatures." Gefen uses an array of mixed media which include acrylic paint, spray paint, markers, photos, computer printouts and vinyl stickers. 

For more information regarding the artist, email bgefen@aol.com. A full schedule of exhibitions can be viewed at www.as.miami.edu/art. In celebration of the exhibition opening, there will be a reception for the artist on Saturday, March 12, from 6-10 pm. Other viewing times can be arranged by appointment. 

For more information about the exhibition or Wynwood Project Space, call (305) 284-3161 or email m.cardoso1@miami.edu.

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Friends Of Art Of The Um Lowe Art Museum Present “Spring Into Art – America!”

Spring Into Art, the annual silent art auction presented by Friends of Art UM Lowe Art Museum (1301 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables) will be held March 11 at 7 pm. It will be an evening rich in the talent that comprises the contemporary American and Miami Art Scene. More than 50 original works of art in all types of media put the finishing touch to the donations to this year’s cocktail party and auction. The event is $125 per person. All proceeds from the evening benefit the Lowe Art Museum.

Ruben Torres-Llorca "Untitled"

Eighteen of Miami’s nationally- and internationally-acclaimed artists are contributing pieces to celebrate their interpretations of this year’s theme, “America!” The artists are: Ruben Torres-Llorca, Carlos Alves, Susan Banks, Jose Bedia, Carlos Betancourt, Martin Casuso, Joyce Chadroff, Xavier Cortada, Mark Diamond, Edouard Duval-Carrié, Sheila Elias, Lidia Godoi, Karl Hollinger, Ruben Torres Llorca, Aramis O’Reilly, Ralph Provisero, George Rodez, Donna Underwood, and Tom Weinkle.

And for the first time, Wynwood galleries are supporting the Lowe with donations of the works of eight of their artists, including Jorge Luis Santos, (Pan American Art Projects); Erni Vales, (EVL WORLD); Patricia S. Gutierrez , (Bakehouse Art Complex); Maxine Spector, Sara Rytteke, Alette Simmons-Jimenez, Natasha Duwin, (Artformz). Dina Mitrani Gallery will donate the photography of one of its artists, as well. Emerging and established artists from throughout the Miami and International Art Scene will also contribute, among them are: Venezuelan artist Cristina de Guillot, Betty and Richard Pober, as well as artists and students from the New World School of the Arts.

This year's Spring Into Art theme is "America!"

At the close of the silent auction, SeaDream Yachts will auction off a seven-night Mediterranean yacht voyage. This Live Auction will take place while desserts and coffee are served. This five-star yacht cruise company is generously donating and conducting the yacht cruise auction for the benefit of the Lowe for the first time. A performance by the New World School of the Arts Barbershop Quartet will round out the celebration of “America!”


Selected works in the silent auction can be previewed before the event at the Friends of Art website: www.friendsoflowemuseum.cfsites.org

For more information and tickets call 305-284-6756 or e-mail FriendsofArt@miami.edu.


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Miami's Famous Firsts!

Miami is the first and only major city in the US conceived by a woman, Julia Tuttle, who is regarded as the "mother of Miami."

The first photo-finish capability for deciding the winner of a horse race was installed at Hialeah Racetrack in 1936. The Racetrack is seen here as it was in 1925. It re-opened in November, 2009, for quarter horse racing. The season has ended, but racing will begin again in the fall of 2010. Hialeah Racetrack is also home to some very famous flamingos, seen in the opening credits of Miami Vice in the 1980s. 

The University of Miami was the first academic institution in Florida selected to host a Presidential debate (2004); those were the first ever Presidential debates in South Florida.

UM's Hurricanes are the first ever NCAA team to win more than 50 home games in a row. Their 58 game winning streak is a record that still stands in the NCAA.

Miami-based Pan American Airlines was the first international airline in the US. Pan Am was also the first airline to provide economy class service at a reduced rate to make mass air travel a reality. The globe from Pan Am headquarters can still be seen in the lobby of the Miami Science Museum, where is was moved when the airline closed.

The Miami Dolphins are the first, and so far the only, NFL team to have a perfect season. In 1972, the Dolphins went 17-0 and won the Super Bowl.

Joe's Stone Crab of Miami Beach was the first ever restaurant to start cooking and serving stone crab claws. No one else had figured out what to with plentiful stone crabs until Joe figured out to serve them cold with his signature mustard sauce! Joe's is still a must-see on every foodie's list when visiting South Florida. 

Miami's Virginia Miller Art Gallery made international history in 1991 when it became the first art gallery to photograph visitors using a Canon digital camera developed for use in the Persian Gulf War. Those pictures were manipulated and then printed using a Canon color bubble jet printer, making it the first gallery ever to use digital art.

In 1920, Miami resident Arthur Wynne, formerly from New Jersey, invented the crossword puzzle to entertain his children.

In 1933, Dr. William Homer Walker came to Miami from Pennsylvania and opened Miami’s first Savings & Loan Association. Dr. Walker was granted the first ever Federal Savings & Loan charter ever issued by the US government.

Gwendolyn Boyd-Savage was the first African-American woman to be sworn in as a police chief in North Miami, in 2002. She was the first Florida police chief, male or female, to hold a doctorate.

The first ever night racing in dog racing history was in Miami, in 1925. It was started by O.P. Smith of the Miami Kennel Club, who also invented the mechanical rabbit, and who is regarded as the "father of modern greyhound racing."

Chalk Airlines, which operated in Miami well into this century, was the first airline ever to have scheduled passenger flights. It started flights to the Bahamas in 1917.