Opening reception of Simon Hare’s exhibit, “Buena Vista – East of 95” held on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at the ACND Gallery of Art on the grounds of Archbishop Curley Notre Dame High School, 4949 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami. In attendance were school parents, faculty, and alumni along with members of the community and people who are subjects in the photos displayed at the exhibit.
Simon Hare, a well-known commercial photographer, portrays people who live and work in Miami’s Buena Vista area. He seeks to reveal one of Miami’s most diverse and historically rich areas at a moment of critical change. Simon describes his project as “a portrait, taken one person at a time, of a spicy, bubbling, human cauldron before it becomes a bland suburban soup.” Professional artist Mark T. Smith curates the exhibit.
Traditionally Archbishop Curley Notre Dame holds an opening reception for gallery exhibitors as a school parent-mixer event. However, this year people from both the immediate community and from as far as Aventura attended the event. Many subjects in Simon’s photos were also present including Claude Postel, Chef/Owner of the Buena Vista Deli. Co-Owner, Cory Finot is featured in a photo riding a moped while carrying a bag of the deli’s signature baguettes. The deli donated hors d’oeuvres and sandwich samplers for the reception. Another area restaurant, the Mandolin Aegean Bistro provided a sponsorship donation.
Stefano Campanini, Owner of Etra Fine Art and an Arts For Learning board member states, “It was a great event and to know so many people! We are all connected some way.” Stefano is also a subject in Simon’s photos. Since he works and lives in the neighborhood, he comes across many of the other subjects on a regular basis. As an active member in supporting art education programs that reach out to students from all socio-economic backgrounds, he values the connection to ACND and supports their effort to reach out to the community.
This tradition is stated in the gallery’s mission statement written by ACND Principal, Br. Patrick Sean Moffett: “With a historical and, when required, courageous commitment to diversity, Archbishop Curley Notre Dame High School, founded in 1953, seeks to articulate to each new generation the brindled beauty of our multi-colored reality.”
ACND alumnus Dr. Paul S. George, a Historian and Professor of History at Miami-Dade College, Wolfson Campus, spoke briefly to guests and provided a historical account of the area by touching on subjects such as: Henry Flagler’s railroad, the West Dixie Highway, the Buena Vista homesteading community, and the emergence of the Design District.
The exhibit will continue through to the ACND’s Open House event on Saturday, October 30, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The day’s event is expected to receive a large crowd as Archbishop Curley Notre Dame will hold an official ribbon cutting ceremony to inaugurate its new baseball field. At 12:00 p.m., Ms. Cathy Bradley, Executive Director of the Major League Baseball’s Baseball Tomorrow Fund along with other representatives from the MLB will present the school’s new field. Attendance is also expected by Mayor Tomas P. Regalado and Commissioner Richard P. Dunn II representing the City of Miami, and State Representative, James Bush III.
More information on all upcoming school events and gallery times can be found on the school’s website www.acnd.net. Complimentary school group tours are available by calling the Advancement Office at (305) 751-8367.
Photos:
1. Exterior view of the ACND gallery from the courtyard where guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and samplers donated by the Buena Vista Deli
2. David Smith, ACND Advisory Council Member; Br. Patrick Sean Moffett. ACND Principal; Claude Postel, Chef/Co-Owner of the Buena Vista Deli and his Guest
3. Simon Hare exhibit photo “Cory” portrays Buena Vista Deli Co-Owner Cory Finot carrying a bag of the deli’s signature baguettes
4. Carole Springer, ACND Learning Center Director ; Br. Richard DeMaria, Archdiocse of Miami Superintendent of Schools; Elma Benjamin, recently retired ACND Coordinator for Languages and Fine Arts
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