COMMUNITY PROJECTS

2010: Artformz/Red Nomade co-curate and co-produce ArtistInvitesArtist a group exhibition/exchange program between Miami/Valencia

2018: As host of Art & Company Podcast: #11 - w/Lauren Shapiro, Alex Nuñez, Deming King Harriman: Miami's Bright Young Artists

WORKING WITH MY COMMUNITY

In addition to my own studio practice, I have always been dedicated to producing projects in my community including organizing, facilitating, promoting, and curating public events, performances, and exhibitions. Today, in Miami and abroad, I organize creative projects under my studio’s business name of ArtFormz.  I have always been inspired by bringing creative people together. My first initiative was produced in 1978 and presented in the Museo de Arte Moderno in Santo Domingo. I developed a comprehensive exhibition presenting an overview of twenty-five women artists, from those of historic significance to those with emerging status, all of whom had dedicated studio practices in the Dominican Republic.

I am a strong supporter of collaborating with others, in and outside the studio. I have served as a mentor to young women from the local arts community through ONE X ONE a mentorship program I designed for the national non-profit ArtTable, Inc.  I served 3 years as a volunteer member of the organization, on the National Board in New York, and as the Florida Chapter Chair and Programming Director. Today, the newest project outside of my studio practice is Art & Company Podcast, launched in April 2018. After taking an extended pause during Covid I look forward to soon be producing and hosting the show again. Art & Company is a document to the people who drive and support the Miami Art Scene. 

Through Artformz, I am able to explored unusual strategies that bring artwork of exceptional quality closer to the public and to create a larger dialogue by connecting art and community in new ways. More than 150 highly distinguished local and international artists have collaborated with Artformz projects. I am honored  have been the recipient of several grants and to have received support from generous people, and local and international institutions, allowing Artformz Projects to continue.

Artformz: 2008-2011 in Wynwood, 171 NW 23rd Street, Saturday Art Walk

Artformz Alternative: Founder/Director: 2004-2008: Outside on a Saturday Night Art Walk, 40th Street Atlas Plaza,. Miami Design District.

HISTORY

Artformz opened its first exhibition in 2004 in the Miami Design District.  As a new and alternative addition to the burgeoning area, the space quickly became a popular destination and often served as a creative gathering spot that encouraged intellectual dialogue and collaboration among artists. Artformz established itself as an alternative venue with the mission to encourage artists to exhibit, develop, and advance innovative art of diverse media and content without constraints of current market trends.

In the 4 years Artformz resided in the Design District, 500+ artist portfolios were reviewed and 90 artist's works were exhibited. In its 5th year, Artformz relocated to the Wynwood Arts District. Located in the heart of the District, the new space again became a community favorite renowned for its exhibition design and the consistent presentation of quality artists.

In 2008 Artformz was awarded several grants from the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, and a prestigious Knight Arts Challenge Grant for the creation and development of the inaugural exhibit of "Giants In The City" at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. In 2009, Artformz partnered with Red Nomad in Valencia, Spain, to co-curate the Artist Invites Artist project. Through the fundraising efforts of Artformz, and with the support of the Cultural Affairs Ministry in Valencia, ten artists from Miami were able to travel to Spain and exhibit in 2010. In 2012 a reciprocal event was held and artists from Valencia exhibited in the Miami Design District with the support of the District Commissioner, the City Mayor, and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Collaborations with Red Nomad are ongoing today.

In early 2011, to balance time more efficiently between studio practice and project development, artist and director Alette Simmons-Jimenez closed the gallery space. Artformz’s projects is currently located within the artist's own studio, first just a few blocks away from the Wynwood space, then several blocks northward in the Little River Arts area, and today in the Little Haiti neighbor.

SELECTED PROJECTS & COLLABORATIONS

2008: Artformz: Producer/Co-Curator, Giants in the City, Night Foundation Art Challenge Grantee, December for Art Basel Week Bayfront Park, Miami

2018: The New Tropic focuses on 16 new podcasts in the Miami area. Art & Company gets a moment to shine.

2011: Co-Curators/Producers: Artformz/Red Nomade - Miami/Valencia: Common Ground, Artists E. Aro, J. Escuin, C. Ghetti, V. Insa, M. Mañas, J Marisco, C. Martínez, S. Miralles, E. Pérez, G. Sanchez Calderon, N. Duwin, A. Simmons-Jiménez, D. Brant, K. Phillips, A. Ferrandis, S. Rytteke, and D. Haynes. Miami Design District attending: Mayor of the City of Miami and the District Commissioner.

2015 - Created & Produced: Art Talk w/ Claire Breukel, Mario Cader-Frech & Amanda Sanfilippo at Locust Projects

2009: Artformz - "Faith, Fear & Fortune", Ramon William’s in the Wynwood space.

more soon……