MIAMI DADE COLLEGE ART GALLERIES cELEBRATE
40 YEARS OF ART COLLECTING

MIAMI, Oct. 1, 2006 ­­– The Miami Dade College Art Gallery System (AGS) will kick-off a commemoration of 40 years of art collecting and exhibits with the opening reception of “A Well Kept Secret: 40 Years of Collecting at MDC” on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Centre and Frances Wolfson Galleries at MDC’s Wolfson Campus, located at 300 N.E. 2^nd Ave. in downtown Miami.

The comprehensive exhibition features important works from the college’s permanent art collection, in commemoration of 40 years of art collecting at MDC, and in celebration of the 45^th anniversary of the College. The exhibit runs though November 10 and is free and open to the public.

The exhibit’s title refers to the lesser known fact that MDC’s permanent collection includes works by contemporary masters Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Louise Nevelson, Claus Oldenburg, Joseph Beuys, Jose Bedia, Jesus Soto, Jean Ward, Julian Schnabel and Guido Llinas, as well as works by new and emerging artists.

The college started collecting art in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, when Miami had little to offer in the way of museums, galleries and exhibition spaces. MDC faculty and gallery directors have since then sought to introduce the student body to art that is not just seen in a textbook or slide. The acquisition of works for the permanent collection has focused on the needs of students. Its goal is to bring current trends in the visual arts to the arts and humanities classrooms.

“This is the first time in 40 years that the permanent collection will be completely open to the public at one time,” said Art Gallery System Director Jorge Gutierrez.

Throughout their existence, the art galleries at MDC have hosted exhibitions by some of the most important contemporary artists in the world, and have been a proving ground for many young, talented artists.

The Miami Dade College Art Gallery System

The Art Gallery System is the largest art network in Florida, with six galleries and three Art in Public Spaces areas, located throughout five Miami Dade College (MDC) campuses, for a total of more than 15,000 square feet of exhibition space. The galleries provide an experimental space for curatorial practice and a showcase for artists, be they from our community or around the globe. In addition to art exhibits, the galleries also offer lectures, seminars, symposia, walking tours, concerts and film, all of which are open to the public.
 

WHAT:            A Well Kept Secret: 40 Years of Art Collecting at MDC

WHEN:            Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.

WHERE:         Wolfson Campus Centre & Frances Wolfson Galleries

300 N.E. 2^nd Ave.  Reception will be held on the fourth floor terrace, building one

For more information call: (305) 237-2396

Other MDC galleries will hold open houses during the evening of Tuesday, October 10, including Gallery North at North Campus, Kendall Art Gallery at Kendall Campus, and Homestead Art Space at Homestead Campus.

Gallery Hours:

Tuesday – Friday, Noon  to 7 p.m.

Gallery nights are held on the second Thursday of the month, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Art Galleries are closed on Mondays and state holidays.

All galleries and facilities are wheelchair accessible.

Admission:

Admission to exhibits and programs is free of charge. 

Locations and phone numbers for each of the Galleries and Art Spaces:

Centre Gallery at the Wolfson Campus

300 NE Second Ave. Building 1(3^rd floor)

Miami, FL  33132

Tel. 305-237-3696

Frances Wolfson Gallery at the Wolfson Campus

300 NE Second Ave. Building 1 (5^th floor)

Miami, FL  33132

Tel. 305-237-3696

Kendall Art Gallery at the Kendall Campus

Martin & Pat Fine Center for the Arts

11011 SW 104^th Street

Miami, Fl 33176

Tel. 305-237-2322

InterAmerican Art Gallery at the InterAmerican Campus

627 SW 27th Ave.

Miami, FL. 33135

Tel. 305- 237-6000

Gallery North at the North Campus

William and Joan Lehman Pawley Center

Building 5, 11380 NW 27th Avenue
Miami, Fl 33167

Tel 305-237-1532

Art Space at the Homestead Campus

500 College Terrace

Homestead, Florida

(305) 237-5000

Parking:
Parking is available for visitors directly in the campuses. For individuals with a valid MDC parking decal, parking is available in all the parking lots and garages assigned.  

Media-only contacts: Juan Mendieta, MDC Director of Communications (305) 237-7611 or Beverly C. Rodrigues MDC Director of Media Relations (305) 237-3366.