MIAMI – New World School of the Arts Visual Arts BFA class of 2021 will be presenting the final show in the iconic venue The Moore Building. Unspecified Void features the work of 28 recent Bachelor of Fine Arts degree graduates of NWSA. “This year, our students persevered during very challenging times, said O. Gustavo Plascencia, Dean of Visual Arts at NWSA. “Despite the challenges the pandemic has brought to us, they continued to work in makeshift studios at home and produced an incredible body of work.” The work included in the exhibition ranges from documentation of the pandemic to heartbreak to futuristic imagination, among other themes. The exhibition culminates these young artists' academic training at the school and will present a wide range of media and themes. The work on view was curated by faculty member and Miami gallerist Fredric Snitzer along with dean Plascencia.

UNSPECIFIC VOID: 2021 BFA EXHIBITION
• June 21 - July 9, 2021
• Monday - Saturday 11 AM - 7 PM / Sunday 1 PM - 7 PM
• Moore Building, 4040 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami FL 33137
• Free and open to the public. Information at 305-237-3649

Among the works to be presented is Alian Martinez Rives’ Kakotopia. A visual arts graduate from the Art & Technology discipline, the artist concludes his tenure at NWSA with a VR installation comprised of archival digital prints which address society’s manipulation of reality. “My work alludes to the essence of human actions, their influence on the environment, and the minimal implementation of technological processes beyond the artist’s control.” Alicia Betancourt uses her color drawing entitled Can You See Me Now? to address social topics which are central to the nation’s ongoing dialogue. “My work explores the relationship between my experience in everyday life and “intersectionality” in the U.S. The current world operates within the song of the once voiceless mass now roaring with unapologetic confidence. These individuals are united through what should always have been rightfully theirs.” Through photography, Michelle Alvarez Collazo aims to illustrate the stages emotions that often accompany emotional breakups. Collazo’s Rotten Relationship series highlights the “distortion of emotions through the process of healing. My main intention is not only to show the various stages of a breakup but to show whoever has had this experience that they are not the only ones going through all that pain and fury.” Adrian Sena also addresses the mind and how emotions are affected by violence. His large-scale paining, Places Between, highlights how acts of violence are encoded in the mind. “My objective of showing struggle, brokenness, identity, and shame is not as a barrier, but as a bridge to transformation, victory, freedom and hope.”

Exhibiting students include Michelle Alvarez Collazo, Alicia Betancourt, Lauren Bouza, Victoria Braga, Ruth Burotte, Erika Cantin, Cassandra Cespedes, Kassandra D’Angelo, Anastasia del Valle, Nuria Dolphin, Daniella Figeroa, Gabriel Garlin, Daniel Gongora, Nicole Gonzalez, Adela Gonzalez, Carlos Jimenez, Alian Martinez Rives, Luis Mederos, John Medina, Eric Mendoza, Daniel Ochoa, Otari Oliva, Katherine Otero, Adrian Sena, Pedro Sena, Megan Tran, Luis Velasco, Astrielle Williams.

About New World School of the Arts’ Visual Arts program: At New World School of the Arts, visual arts students can explore and develop their personal artistic and aesthetic vision while being guided by a dynamic and distinguished faculty who are all practicing artists. Through disciplined training in traditional and new media, students also develop new skills and refine others while gaining invaluable understanding of the roles of art and design in society. Areas of concentration in visual arts include Drawing, Electronic Media, Graphic Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Information about the NWSA Visual Arts program is available by calling 305-237-3620, by visiting http://nwsa.mdc.edu/ or by calling the main office at 305-235-3135.

About New World School of the Arts: A Florida center of excellence in the visual and performing arts, NWSA provides a comprehensive program of artistic, creative, and academic development through a curriculum that reflects the rich multicultural state of Florida. With programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art, Dance, Music and Theater, NWSA offers four-year BFA and BM college degrees, as well as the high school diploma. Through its rigorous curriculum and conservatory-style teaching NWSA empowers its students to become leaders in the arts. New World School of the Arts was created by the Florida Legislature as a center of excellence in the performing and visual arts. It is an educational partnership of Miami Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College, and the University of Florida.

A Reflection of the Times exhibition by Chire Regans
honors legacy of George Floyd and victims of gun violence
May 21 - November 1, 2021, at Bakehouse Art Complex

Commissioner and Mitchell Wolfson Sr Foundation are pleased to announce a new partnership to accelerate the careers of local artists who attended New World School of the Arts as well as to cultivate new art collectors who support NWSA alumni artists' contributions to Miami and society. The partnership, underwritten by a two-year, $100,000 grant from Mitchell Wolfson Sr Foundation, will commission two NWSA alumni visual artists and provide them with curatorial support to share their work with Commissioner’s growing member community. Launching this initiative is Miami-based artist-activist Chire Regans with A Reflection of the Times, a memorial exhibition of portraiture open to the public from May 21 to November 1, 2021, at Bakehouse Art Complex.

New World School of the Arts presents the award-winning play In the Red and Brown Water, written by Tarell Alvin McCraney (NWSA 1999 alumnus) who won an Academy Award for the 2016 film Moonlight. Directed by NWSA theater faculty member James Randolph the play will be presented online as a one-time virtual Premiere, performed by eleven juniors and seniors enrolled in the NWSA college theater program.

This play is highly theatrical,” said director Randolph. “It is poetic in nature and celebrates the Yoruba tradition. The challenge will be to deliver the play in this modality (online) while staying true to the playwright's intent. This is a completely different experience for the actors, director and design team. Instead of thinking outside the box, all involved must think of the best way to deliver this text and story inside collective boxes.”

In the Red and Brown Water Premiere:
Friday, April 24; 7 PM
One day Virtual Premiere: Broadway On Demand
Premiere is Free and open to the public following the link
Information: 305-237-3541

Miami -- New World School of the Arts presents its new arts showcase, Arts al fresco, a strolling experience. This event allows guests to leisurely stroll through dedicated art spaces, carefully staged at MDC Wolfson Campus, allowing them to enjoy the arts outdoors and at their own pace, right here in downtown Miami, in a safe and intimate setting. Guests will have the unique opportunity to meet South Florida’s emerging dancers, choreographers, actors, playwrights, musicians, singers, visual artists, painters and sculptors – all while witnessing their creativity come alive.

The showcase, lasting two hours, will be comprised of a visual arts exhibition and numerous dance, music, and theater performances offered in a loop several times each, in specific locations throughout MDC Wolfson Campus. Arts al fresco performances are short and best enjoyed standing up. Some seats will be available and are subject to first come, first served or as needed. MDC Covid-19 Phase 2 protocol will be observed.

ARTS AL FRESCO EXHIBITION & PERFORMANCES
THURSDAY, MARCH 25; 5 M – 7 PM
MIAMI DADE COLLEGE WOLFSON CAMPUS
NEW WORLD SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
25 NE 2 Street, downtown Miami, FL 33132

The New World School of the Arts college music theater students take to the stage outdoors with the award-winning musical PIPPIN, music & lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson. This concert, performed by 19 NWSA junior and senior college music theater students is directed by faculty member James Randolph with music direction by faculty member, Jeff Hess.

PIPPIN live performance:
Friday, March 5 at 7 PM
North Beach Bandshell. 7275 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33141
Free and open to the public
Capacity is limited and admission is subject to first come, first served
Covid-19 CDC guidelines will be observed at the venue

PIPPIN will also be streamed on ShowTx4U for a limited time:
Livestream dates will be announced soon at http://nwsa.mdc.edu

Miami – The New World School of the Arts (NWSA) Visual Arts Division will offer students and faculty the opportunity to participate in a new virtual workshop entitled “Artists, Scholars, & Curators: A Lecture Series.” This series of lectures will focus on contemporary artmaking and research practices, expose students to new pedagogical practices and reflect on the current world in which visual artists are anchoring their artistic practice. The lectures will include a Q&A session giving attendees the opportunity to engage with the presenters and delve into the subject matter.

“Although we often think of the artists working in their studios on their own, art doesn’t happen in a bubble,” explained O. Gustavo Plascencia, Dean of Visual Arts at NWSA. “This lecture series will focus on contemporary art making, research practices, curatorial practices, and how they intersect with each other. This series will have a great impact on our students understanding and awareness of the contemporary art world”