Twenty-three dedicated teenagers have been hard at work this summer. Hailing from almost a dozen high schools across South Florida, emerging artists, young curators, and arts leaders in-the-making have been learning the nuts and bolts of what it takes to put on a show with Locust Art Builders (LAB).
This three-week intensive presented by Locust Projects aims to educate and inspire young creatives in the contemporary art space, and offers an early opportunity to learn about collaboration, process, and the grittier details of production. Where younger generations are increasingly taking control and owning their artistic futures, this year’s LAB is shepherded by Monica Lopez de Victoria (TM Sisters) and Francesco Locastro—two Miami-based visual artists known for challenging industry conventions. Students also visited with the local art community, including Versace Versace Versace gallery, IRL Institute, Douglas Hoekzema's studio, Spinello Projects, Gallery Diet, and Swampspace and ICA Miami in the Miami Design District.
“We treat these students as professional artists pushing them to levels beyond their years,” said Lopez de Victoria, LAB Program Director. “Their hands on collaborations, collective brainstorming and real life deadlines get them prepared for the real world of being an artist. Now in our 7th year, we have seen the deep impact of how this program has enabled many of Miami's future and up-and-coming artists.”
LAB 2016 culminates in a group show opening on July 9 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm at Locust Projects (3852 North Miami Avenue) that investigates the intersection and individual roles of digital communication and human interaction. On view through July 30, visit locustprojects.org for more information.
2016 LAB participants: Anastasia Anissmova, Design and Architecture Senior High; Glysed Barboza, Miami Arts Charter; Maya Benedetti, Design and Architecture Senior High; Wanda Carreras, New World School of the Arts; Daisy Chen, Design and Architecture Senior High; Gabriel Chez, Design and Architecture Senior High; Jonathan Cohen, Dr. Michael M. Krop High School; David Correa, New World School of the Arts; Christine Cortes, Miami Beach Senior High; Daniela Cruz, TERRA Environmental Research Institute; Natasja Enriquez, Design and Architecture Senior High; Maximillian Fuster, Ransom Everglades; Antonio Garcia, New World School of the Arts; Gabriel Garlin, G. Holmes Braddock Senior High; Maggie Gault, Miami Beach Senior High; Samantha Hafferty, Miami Beach Senior High; Caro Larrosa, New World School of the Arts; Francesca Peralta, Design and Architecture Senior High; Daniela Romero, Coral Reef Senior High; Noah Royal, Barbara Goleman Senior High; Catie Schwartzman, Gulliver Preparatory School; Luis Velasco, Doral Academy Preparatory School.
