MIAMI BEACH, FL.- LegalArt will present its first annual exhibition honoring the top ten finalists from the 2005 Emerging Artist Grant program at the ArtCenter/South Florida gallery located at 800 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.

“I am proud to announce that Norberto “Bert” Rodriguez is the recipient of our Emerging Artist Grant,” says Carolina O. Garcia, Executive Director/Founder of LegalArt. “We received more than 70 applications for our first grant and our jury did an outstanding job of selecting the finalists and the winner,” continued Garcia.

The exhibition, entitled Native Seeds, honors the finalists from the Emerging Artist Grant program and will be on view at the ArtCenter/South Florida through July 23, 2006. The initial jury was comprised of Sofia Bullrich (ArtNexus Magazine), Annhy Shim (The Related Group) and Claire Breukel (ArtCenter/South Florida) who selected the top 10 finalists including: Bhakti Baxter, COOPER, Jacin Giordano, Jiae Hwang, Pepe Mar, Emily Martinez, Brandon Opalka, Norberto Rodriguez, Frances Trombly and Wendy Wischer. The second jury, comprised of Karen Rifas (artist), Richard Shack (Chair Emeritus, ArtCenter/South Florida) and Alfredo Triff (art and culture critic) selected the second place winners (a tie between COOPER and Jiae Hwang) and Jacin Giordano as the first runner-up along with the winner, Mr. Rodriguez.

“We conceived Native Seeds as an exhibition that would grow annually to highlight the ripening talent from our community,” states Garcia. “By presenting the grant prize of $3,000 (the second largest in South Florida) simultaneously with the exhibition, publication of the corresponding catalogue, an ArtChat and other fund raising events, LegalArt continues its contribution to the on-going exposure and development of some of South Florida’s most intriguing and cutting-edge artists,” concludes Garcia.

The exhibition and surrounding events are made possible by the following sponsors: the ArtCenter/South Florida; 10 Cane Rum; the Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs; LegalArt’s Board of Directors; the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami; Miami Art Museum’ Utrecht Art Supplies’ Clarke’s Restaurant; The Raleigh Hotel; TAI Entertainment: The Bernice Steinbaum Gallery, the Frederic Snitzer Gallery and DindyCo PR & Marketing.

LegalArt is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing artists with affordable legal services, unique events and educational opportunities. By empowering artists with access to legal and professional support and information, LegalArt creates opportunities and protections for Miami's art community and fosters a generation of artists who are armed with the skills to legally protect their creations. All LegalArt programming helps artists by creating a community both dedicated to and invested in their success. The only organization of its kind in Miami, LegalArt provides a host of legal, cultural and professional services to the community to enhance the mission of the ArtCenter/South Florida through programs including: LegalLink, SeminArt and Grant Giving.