"Commemorating 100 Years of  Juvenile Courts"
Mural Unveiling

December 10, 1999
12:15 pm

Miami-Dade Juvenile Court
3300 NW 27th Avenue
Miami, Florida

Please read:

Xavier Cortada's Speech during the unveiling ceremony of the "Commemorating 100 Years of Juvenile Justice" Mural -- Miami, FL, December 10, 1999.

Article by Judge Lederman, "Those who deserve love the least need it the most" Children in Miami-Dade's juvenile legal system created telling, heart-rending art as part of the commemoration of the centennial of America's juvenile courts.

Wall power: A guide to some of Miami's best public art, by Emma Trelles.  Published Friday, July 20, 2001, in Street Miami, Miami, FL.

Troubled youths find artistic voice, by Eunice Ponce, The Miami Herald, Thursday, November 11, 1999.

Click here to see mosaic mural

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Press Releases:

RENOWNED ARTIST XAVIER CORTADA TO UNVEIL MOSAIC
FOR JUVENILE COURT’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
CommunityActivist/Artist Collaborates with Dependent and Delinquent Children to Create Permanent Mural at Juvenile Justice Center
MIAMI, FL -- (November 30, 1999) -- In recognition of the 100th Anniversary
of the first Juvenile Court in America and to provide a voice to those who
have walked the halls of Miami-Dade’s Juvenile Justice Center, acclaimed
artist Xavier Cortada will unveil his stunning acrylic and canvas mural --
“Commemorating 100 Years of Juvenile Justice” -- that will permanently adorn
the walls of the entrance to the Center.

AMERICA’S JUVENILE COURT TURNS 100
Fact Sheet
WHAT:  “Building a World Safe for the Dreams of Children,”
commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Juvenile Court of America.
WHY: To commemorate this centennial, Miami-Dade County’s 11th Judicial
Court is hosting a week-long series of activities at the Juvenile Justice
Center.  The events will culminate in the unveiling of a striking mural by
artist Xavier Cortada, who has interpreted this mosaic through the drawings
and poems of 500 kids in the system.  The mosaic will be permanently
displayed on the facade of the building.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY JUVENILE COURT TO COMMEMORATE
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICA’S FIRST CHILDREN’S COURT
Week-long Activities Planned at Miami-Dade County’s Juvenile Justice Center--Dec. 6 - 10;
Children and Acclaimed Artist Collaborate on Permanent Glass Mosaic
MIAMI, FL -- (November 30, 1999) -- In 1899, an 11-year-old appeared
before a Chicago judge for larceny.  Who would have known that the hearing
would lead to the establishment of the nation’s first juvenile court.
Today, more than 25,000 kids a year are passing through the doors of
Miami-Dade County’s Juvenile Justice Center.

MIAMI-DADE JUVENILE COURT’S WEEK-LONG ACTIVITIES FOCAL POINT OF 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JUVENILE COURT OF AMERICA
MIAMI, FL -- (November 30, 1999) -- To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Juvenile Court in the United States, Miami-Dade County’s 11th Judicial Court  -- led by Administrative Judges Cindy Lederman, Lester Langer and Scott Bernstein -- are hosting a week-long series of activities at the Juvenile Justice Center Dec. 6 -10.   The overall theme is “Building a World Safe for the Dreams of Children.” Daily events and presentations between 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. will include:

ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES OF THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT AMONG COUNTY’S MOST INSTRUMENTAL IN ACHIEVEMENTS OF JUVENILE COURT
MIAMI -- (November 30, 1999) -- Instrumental in Miami Dade-County’s
struggle against juvenile crime and dedicated to proper rehabilitate of
those who are delinquent or the innocent victims of abuse and neglect are
several prominent Judges from the 11th Judicial Court  -- Cindy Lederman,
Lester Langer and Scott Bernstein.