Miami Parking Authority (MPA) has once again partnered with the New World School of the Arts to sponsor the latest in a series of murals that will become a permanent art installation on one of the interior walls of the Courthouse Center garage located at 40 NW Third Street in downtown Miami. Unveiled in December 2023, the mural is the product of a team of ten talented student artists from the Visual Arts Department under the guidance of NWSA Professor Aramis O’Reilly.
“This collaboration is aimed at uplifting and inspiring students to dream higher, but also to underscore the need to protect marine life to safeguard South Florida’s fragile ecosystems to sustain life for today’s and future generations,” said Alejandra “Alex” Argudin, Chief Executive Officer.
The three-mural progressive campaign is an environmentally-inspired initiative that began with the first mural about preserving the historic Everglades to the one calling attention to safeguarding South Florida’s native fauna and flora against the backdrop of downtown’s urban development to the latest version that focuses on conserving marine life and local habitats. The mural’s title, Marine Mirage, is evocative of the transparency and illusion of the ocean’s depth. The iconography used in the artwork showcases the aquatic animals native to South Florida, helping the local ecosystems flourish. The mural is expected to engage neighbors, pedestrians, the business community, and visitors by providing a sense of momentary tranquility and peace amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Miami.
The mural became a fall semester course designed to create an opportunity for students to have real-life and direct experiences while working on projects in public spaces. The students signed up for the three-month class and spent approximately 20 days painting the mural. Collaborative art allows students to work as a team from beginning to end, helping them experience the complexity of managing a public art project.
“The real-world experiences that have come from working on this series of murals have also given the students valuable practical training, artistic confidence, and most all, the avenue by which to share their special abilities with the Miami community.”
NWSA Professor, Aramis O’Reilly
Students designed and created the mural from start to finish. They wrote the proposal, conceptualized the design, managed the budget, chose supplies, and envisioned a large-scale project. They also experienced working with an actual client and learned to build relationships to fulfill the artist’s and client’s vision. In essence, the experiences the students gained in this class will have an enduring value for their careers as practicing artists.
“New World School of the Arts is truly grateful for the opportunity to have partnered once again with the Miami Parking Authority,” said O’Reilly. “Working with the wonderful MPA staff has been a delight for our students. The support, guidance, and trust that Miami Parking Authority has given them has had an immeasurably positive impact.”
Miami Parking Authority was established in 1955 by a Special Act of the Florida Legislature and incorporated into the city of Miami’s Charter in 1968. The Authority manages approximately 47,000 spaces, including 14 garages, 68 surface lots, and about 12,000 on-street spaces. For more information, please visit www.miamiparking.com. Recognized as a premier parking organization and a leader in technology integration and innovation, Miami Parking Authority has leaped forward in the past decade to support micro-mobility options, pilot in-and above-ground sensors, and foster public-private initiatives that help drive economic development in Miami.
For more information about Miami Parking Authority contact Margarita R. Delgado at 305-336-6267.
A Florida center of excellence in the visual and performing arts, New World School of the Arts is an educational partnership of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College, and the University of Florida. NWSA provides a comprehensive program of artistic, creative, and academic development through a curriculum that reflects our community and the rich multicultural state of Florida. Through our partners NWSA confers the high school diploma, Associate of Arts degree, and Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees in programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, Music, Theater and Art & Design. New World School of the Arts’ rigorous eight-year curriculum and conservatory-style teaching has empowered students in our community and our nation to become leaders in the arts for more than three decades.
For more information, please contact the New World School of the Arts at 305-237-3135 or the NWSA Visual Arts division at 305-237-3620. nwsa.mdc.edu.