Rooted in a spirit of reciprocity and cultural dialogue, Marco to Miami emerged as a meaningful outcome of the ongoing partnership between the Marco Island Center for the Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas (MoCAA). Rather than serving as a mere logistical exchange, this collaboration reflected a shared commitment to building bridges between Florida’s coastal regions through sustained artistic engagement. The project underscored how institutional alliances could spark fertile grounds for mutual growth—where creative practices were not only shared but expanded upon, reframed, and deepened through encounter and dialogue.
Marco to Miami unfolded as both an exhibition and a cultural statement—an embodiment of how regional voices intersected to generate new artistic resonances. Featuring an expansive array of media and stylistic approaches, the show channeled the distinct creative energy of Florida’s Gulf Coast while integrating it into the dynamic and ever‑evolving cultural landscape of Miami. The participating artists presented a vivid and multifaceted portrait of Southwest Florida’s artistic production, opening space for renewed conversations around belonging, place, and the multiplicity of narratives that shaped contemporary visual culture.
“This collaboration is more than an exhibition; it was a living dialogue,” said Hyla Crane, Executive Director of Marco Island Center for the Arts. “Through these exhibitions, we were weaving together narratives from across the Americas, offering our audiences new insights, shared histories, and a deeper understanding of the diverse communities that shaped our cultural landscape.”
This curatorial project was deeply aligned with MoCAA’s core mission: to preserve and promote the contemporary art of Latin America and the Caribbean, while also fostering inclusive spaces for artistic exchange within the local context. Marco to Miami stood as a testament to the unifying power of art—its ability to transcend geography, to build bridges between communities, and to celebrate both difference and common ground.
It is worth noting that the artists were able to travel from Marco Island to Miami, where they participated in an evening gathering designed to foster exchange with local colleagues. The event unfolded in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, allowing for meaningful conversations and shared reflections among artists from different backgrounds.
This encounter contributed significantly to the spirit of cultural dialogue at the core of Marco y Miami. Feedback from those in attendance highlighted the value of such moments, which were carefully documented and included in the final project report.
The exhibition Marco y Miami featured the work of 14 remarkable artists, whose creations encompassed a wide range of media, including sculpture, ceramics, painting, collage, and mixed techniques. Together, their works offered a rich and compelling perspective on contemporary artistic practices. Participating artists, listed in alphabetical order by last name, included Judith Carlin, Terry Carter, Gianpaolo Curreri, Randy Keenan, Myriam Kriel, Nan LaRosa, Lisett Llorens, Nancy Norman, Barbara Parisi, Joel Shapses, Bea Stinson, Karen Swanker, Ann Vreeland, and Garry S. Wheeler.
About Marco Island Center for the Arts
Founded in 1970 as the Art League of Marco Island, Marco Island Center for the Arts grew from a grassroots gathering of local artists into a vibrant, multidisciplinary institution that played a central role in the cultural life of Southwest Florida. Originally housed in a small building gifted by the Mackle brothers in 1980, the Art Center later expanded into a 14,000‑square‑foot facility that included professional galleries, dedicated classrooms, a ceramics studio, administrative offices, and—most recently—its own community theater.
The Center’s mission was to inspire artistic expression and promote education and appreciation of the arts. With programming that spanned visual art exhibitions, theater productions, live music, artist talks, and intergenerational educational offerings, the Art Center acted as a catalyst for cultural enrichment and community connection. It celebrated Marco Island’s rich and diverse creative heritage while also contributing to the region’s economic vitality and social cohesion.
In alignment with its core values, the Art Center had been an integral part of ¡Arte Viva!, the Collier County‑wide festival honoring Hispanic heritage and artistic excellence. Over the preceding two years, the Center produced curated exhibitions and musical performances that highlighted Hispanic artists, cultures, and traditions, making it a natural and meaningful partner for MoCAA in this cultural exchange.
In 2022, the Art Center expanded its mission by taking over the operations of the Arts Center Theatre (ACT), becoming a producing and presenting entity for live performances in the region. By 2025, Marco Island Center for the Arts and ACT continued to serve as vital platforms for visual and performing artists alike—fostering creativity, dialogue, and access to the arts throughout the community.
The exhibition Marco y Miami featured the work of 14 remarkable artists, whose creations encompassed a wide range of media, including sculpture, ceramics, painting, collage, and mixed techniques. Together, their works offered a rich and compelling perspective on contemporary artistic practices. Participating artists, listed in alphabetical order by last name, included Judith Carlin, Terry Carter, Gianpaolo Curreri, Randy Keenan, Myriam Kriel, Nan LaRosa, Lisett Llorens, Nancy Norman, Barbara Parisi, Joel Shapses, Bea Stinson, Karen Swanker, Ann Vreeland, and Garry S. Wheeler.
About Marco Island Center for the Arts
Founded in 1970 as the Art League of Marco Island, Marco Island Center for the Arts grew from a grassroots gathering of local artists into a vibrant, multidisciplinary institution that played a central role in the cultural life of Southwest Florida. Originally housed in a small building gifted by the Mackle brothers in 1980, the Art Center later expanded into a 14,000‑square‑foot facility that included professional galleries, dedicated classrooms, a ceramics studio, administrative offices, and—most recently—its own community theater.
The Center’s mission was to inspire artistic expression and promote education and appreciation of the arts. With programming that spanned visual art exhibitions, theater productions, live music, artist talks, and intergenerational educational offerings, the Art Center acted as a catalyst for cultural enrichment and community connection. It celebrated Marco Island’s rich and diverse creative heritage while also contributing to the region’s economic vitality and social cohesion.
In alignment with its core values, the Art Center had been an integral part of ¡Arte Viva!, the Collier County‑wide festival honoring Hispanic heritage and artistic excellence. Over the preceding two years, the Center produced curated exhibitions and musical performances that highlighted Hispanic artists, cultures, and traditions, making it a natural and meaningful partner for MoCAA in this cultural exchange.
In 2022, the Art Center expanded its mission by taking over the operations of the Arts Center Theatre (ACT), becoming a producing and presenting entity for live performances in the region. By 2025, Marco Island Center for the Arts and ACT continued to serve as vital platforms for visual and performing artists alike—fostering creativity, dialogue, and access to the arts throughout the community.
This exhibition is made possible thanks to the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor, the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners and Rodriguez Collection
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