The Priestess of Art
Creative Activations
Find me asking thought-provoking questions that lead to juicy discussions. “The Priestess of Art” is an arts journalism persona born out of my lifelong passion for creativity. I thrive when I am adding to the cultural and intellectual vibrancy of the arts ecosystem in many roles: Artist, Arts Writer, Curator, Art Director, Educator, Program Manager, and Researcher. With this persona I’ve explored many research archives around the world to ideate my own projects and share critical inspiration with my community. The Visual and Performing Arts are a potent portal to diverse perspectives and a platform for deep dialogue to shape how we view our changing world. My journey has taken me from growing up surrounded by artists in Havana to the Culture Shock Miami ticket program to going to college in NYC to make organizing arts programming my entire life to returning my hometown to focus on post-grad studies in Contemporary Art in the Art + Research center at ICA Miami and finding my way as an environmental art social practice artist while I travel the world. And that’s only the beginning.
-
Visual & Performing Arts Reviews
Arts Writing is one of strongest skills. I began writing blog post reviews for the Arts Initiative at Columbia University. I wrote reviews for classes on Dance in NYC & NY Theatre with professors who were New York Times critics. At ICA Miami I researched and wrote the tour scripts for every exhibition over the course of two years. Eventually I started writing my own reviews of exhibits and performances around Miami on social media. In 2020, I participated in the Burnaway Arts Incubator and began writing Artist Profiles for The Fountainhead Residency.
-
Archival Research Marathons
I love archival research so I plan research marathons from time to time. I share my curated selection with my community online to inspire our collective practice, then I write a synthesis reflection to connect the threads. I have conducted archival digs at various Miami institutions and artist studios including History Miami, The Wolfosonian, the De La Cruz Collection, MOAD@MDC, the Cuban Heritage Collection at UM, The Well of Ancient Mysteries, and Edouard Duval Carrie’s Studio.
-
Artist Interviews
Studio Visits are one of my joy practices, and they come with honing a method in conducting profound artist interviews. I began doing them at the Arts Initiative at Columbia University and took the practice with me to support my research at ICA Miami. In 2020 I began a creative podcast series “The African Nomad’s Digital Library” interviewing my peers. I eventually found my way to conducting artist interviews and writing artist profiles for The Fountainhead Residency.
-
Pop-up Tours
My knowledge of art and my creative workshop techniques combine to make dynamic art experiences. These pop-up tours of art exhibitions feature facilitated dialogue, art therapy, and playful engagement games. I spent two years creating the Ask Me Tour Program at ICA Miami to turn the Visitor Services team into a knowledgeable crew of tour guides. In the process of mastering traditional tours, I learned it’s best to break the mold and play in the galleries instead.
-
Curated Programming
I have worked several roles as a program coordinator and event planner curating arts experiences. Some of these experiences include Alternative Spring Break: NYC Performing Arts, NYC Civic Engagement Fellowship, and NEW INC incubator at the New Museum.