Miami Beach Arts Trust Wraps a Season of Events
By Carol Hoffman-Guzman

	Carol Hoffman-Guzman

At summer's end, the Miami Beach Arts Trust wrapped up its “Brown Bag/Evening Bag” series with three great evening events: “Arts and Spirituality”, “Mambo Night” and “Art Collection: All you wanted to know but were afraid to ask”. These events were partially supported by a community grant from the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs.

The “Brown Bag/Evening Bag” series  began in January and consisted of eight seminars, with the goal of building local art awareness and participation in the arts. The lunchtime “Brown Bag” series emphasized professional development and sustainability for arts and arts organizations.  

Topics in the “Brown Bag” series included January's “Working Together: Arts and Social Service Organizations” which featured speakers Jude Parry from the Gold Coast Theatre, Jeannette Egozi , from Ayuda, a family service program in North Beach and Hialeah; Jose Elias from Community Art and Culture & World of Art and Tiffany "Hanan" Madera of the Dance Empowerment Project and Hanan Arts Cooperative. In February, the topic was “Artist Real Estate Purchase: Is It Possible?”. Featured panelists were mortgage broker Andy Rogow, Realtor Sage Hoffman and CPA Yves Boucher. The March “Brown Bag” topic explored “Creative Alternatives for Arts Facilities” and featured panelists attorney Stanley Levine, executive director of Miami Contemporary Dance Company Ray Sullivan, actor and mortgage broker Lance Balding and Realtor Robin Katz .

May's “Brown Bag” tackled a topic everyone can relate to: “We Need More Money: Part 1” and looked at ways organizations could utilize special events, strategies and sponsors. Panelists included Stacey Glassman, di rector of special events at New World Symphony; Laura Jamieson , executive director, Miami Beach Botanical Garden; Cindy Brown, managing director, Miami Light Project and   Rhonda Felder, C-One Center for nonprofit effectiveness. That was followed up in June with “We Need More Money: Part 2”, which covered major donors, memberships and planned giving. Speakers for that seminar included Mimi Pink, fundraising and development, Education Fund; Denise Courshon, Director of Individual Giving, Florida Grand Opera; attorney Richard Alan Lehrman, who is also a board member of the Planned Giving Council of Miami.

The “Evening Bag” series was designed to promote local artists, arts forms and arts organizations. Both series spotlighted alternative arts venues and collaboration between local arts organizations.

The August 24 seminar, “Arts and Spirituality” at Arts at St. Johns, featured artists from many different genres and faith beliefs. Film director Amy Serrano  spoke about how her films about women and children addressed issues of human rights and social change.  Amy Carol Webb ,  acoustic singer and songwriter, told about her recent return to her Christian roots in her music. Andrea Seidel, director of the Isadora Duncan Dance Ensemble and the Intercultural Dance and Music Institute at FIU, spoke about the spirituality involved in the bodily movements of dance.  Delma Iles, dancer and director of Momentum Dance Company, echoed this thought.  Adrian Castro , poet and Babalawo, read from his poetry.  Rachel Faro,  a singer and producer of Latin music, spoke about her practice of Shambhala Buddhism. Tiffany Madera , Middle-Eastern dancer, and Pamela Palma , visual artist, are associated with the Arts at St. Johns and spoke on how their faith informs their art. The audience participated in the thoughtful discussion following the panel presentations.

In contrast, the September 21 Mambo Night at Miami Beach Botanic Gardens was a crowded, raucous event that celebrated the influences of Latin music. Sergio Baradat spoke about his new United States Post Office Mambo Stamp and received a proclamation from the city of Miami Beach and Mayor Dermer. Mambo historians Cuban Pete and Barbara Craddock spoke about the history of mambo and showed a few steps. Then Mambo instructors and dancers from SalsaBor Tropical led the audience in a mambo line.  WDNA and DJ Majica supplied the night with mambo music. Diane Cooks Inc. served Mambo Tapas. Bacardi supplied the rum.

On Sept. 29, a prestigious panel addressed the topic, “Art Collection: All you wanted to know but were afraid to ask”.   The event was co-sponsored by the Arts Trust, Arts Center/South Florida, and LegalART and was held at the Art Center's Lincoln Road gallery space. The panelists were collector Paul Berg, Art Miami Director Ilana Vardy, Gallery Owner Genaro Ambrosino, Sotheby's Miami Director Axel Stein, and emerging artist Jacin Giordano. The concluding advice: Buy what you like and find a trusted arts advisor. The reception was sponsored by Rex at the Marlin Hotel.