MIAMI, FLA..- Oolite Arts announced today that it has acquired works from eight artists for its collection. The acquired works will be displayed at Oolite Arts’ new campus when it opens in 2024, and ultimately donated to museums across the United States and abroad. Now in its third year, the program will ensure that more artists based in South Florida are represented in major collections, helping them advance their careers.
“Having a piece in a museum collection can be a breakthrough moment for an artist,” said Marie Elena Angulo, vice chair of Oolite Arts’ Board of Trustees and chair of the Collections Committee. “With the acquisitions program, we are providing talented artists in our community with an opportunity to receive recognition for their work that goes well beyond South Florida. A bonus of this program is that we will also get to enjoy these pieces for a while at our new home.”
The artists are Jen Clay, Mark Fleuridor, Pepe Mar, Edison Peñafiel, Terence Price II, Onajide Shabaka, Juana Valdes and Agustina Woodgate. All are previous Oolite Arts resident artists or recipients of Oolite’s funding through The Ellies, Miami’s Visual Arts Awards. Their works are in a range of media including photography, collage, drawing, sculpture, fiber art and video. The 2022 acquisitions and other works in Oolite’s Collection can be seen online at oolitearts.org/acquisitions.
"Having my artwork collected by Oolite Arts reaffirms my commitment to making art that creates change, raises awareness of the human condition, and transcends time,” said artist Juana Valdes. “Oolite Arts' commitment to South Florida artists makes it possible for the community where I grew to experience my art. This is especially meaningful to me."
Oolite Arts started its acquisitions program in 2020, as one of several ways to provide support at a time when galleries and museums were closed, and many sources of funding stopped flowing. Oolite Arts also supports artists through residency programs, professional development training and direct support programs like The Ellies, which will have awarded a share of $2.5 million to more than 150 individual artists and art teachers in Miami-Dade by the end of this year.
Founded in South Beach, the nonprofit arts organization is constructing a new home that will help build Miami’s next creative chapter. Oolite’s new campus is scheduled to open in the City of Miami in 2024, in time for the organization’s 40th anniversary. The campus will include expansive artist studios and exhibition spaces, bright and open spaces for the community to learn and gather, and an energy-conscious design.
Oolite Arts
Oolite Arts strives to empower artists and enrich communities. Established in 1984, Oolite’s mission is to support artists and advance the knowledge and practice of contemporary visual arts. Oolite Arts creates opportunities for experimentation and innovation and encourages the exchange of ideas across diverse cultures through residencies, exhibitions, public programs, education and outreach.
Exhibitions and programs at Oolite Arts are made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council; the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; the National Endowment for the Arts; the Jorge M. Perez Family Foundation at the Miami Foundation; the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation; and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
