Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami To Debut WELCOME TO PARADISE Showcasing Public Artworks From Local Artists

This program invites artists to create ambitious and experimental art installations to activate MOCA's Paradise Courtyard.

Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami To Debut WELCOME TO PARADISE Showcasing Public Artworks From Local Artists

The Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA) invites the community to experience "Welcome to Paradise," a dynamic new commissioning program featuring temporary public art projects by local South Florida artists.

This program invites artists to create ambitious and experimental art installations to activate MOCA's Paradise Courtyard. The first season centers on artists working at the intersection of ecology and technology.

On view from Feb. 8 through June 25, 2023, visitors will be able to step into the Paradise Courtyard and discover "Victory Garden," an interactive sculptural community garden created by Miami-based artist Emmett Moore. Drawing inspiration from victory gardens of the past, which were planted during wartime to supplement rations and boost morale, Moore's "Victory Garden" connects the local community with contemporary art and encourages visitors to reflect on their relationship with the built environment.

Utilizing sustainable materials such as repurposed steel drums to form sculptural planters, "Victory Garden" will feature plants native to South Florida and the Caribbean such as Cuban oregano, collard greens, starfruit, bee balm and Everglades cherry tomatoes that will be harvested and shared. The exhibition will also include benches and solar-powered USB outlets for visitors to use.

The series will continue with "Into The Great Dying: Roles We Play," a thought-provoking, interactive ceramic sculpture by Miami-based artist Beatriz Chachamovits, that engages with the marine landscape, highlighting the decline of coral reef ecosystems and the impact of human actions. This installation will be on view from July 5 through Nov. 21, 2023.

"At MOCA, we are proud to develop programs like 'Welcome to Paradise' that not only reinforce our commitment to supporting local contemporary artists, but also enliven and opens up a space for shared, fee-free access to the museum for audiences of all ages to enjoy," said Chana Sheldon, executive director of MOCA.

Complementary to "Welcome to Paradise," MOCA will offer a diverse array of on-site events and programs, including a member's event on Feb. 24, 2023, and a workshop celebrating Earth Day on April 22, 2023. "Victory Garden" will be open to the public during MOCA's gallery closure for installation.

General admission to the museum is $10 for adults; $5 for seniors, students and visitors with disabilities; and free for MOCA Members, residents of City of North Miami and children under 12. MOCA Dual/Family level and above can pre-register for programs and events scheduled around the exhibitions for "Welcome to Paradise." To become a member today, visit www.mocanomi.org/support.

MOCA North Miami presents contemporary art and its historical influences through exhibitions, educational programs, and collections. Inspired by its surrounding communities, MOCA connects diverse audiences and cultures by providing a welcoming place to encounter new ideas and voices, and nurturing a lifelong love of the arts. MOCA developed from the Center of Contemporary Art which was inaugurated in 1981. The establishment of the permanent collection coincided with the institution's move into their current building designed by Charles Gwarthmey of GSNY in 1996.



Photos: Linda Purl with Billy Stritch Play Cafe Centro Photo
If there was any doubt that Cafe Centro was a bona fide Cabaret Venue it was dispelled last night.  Billy Stritch was seated at the Cafe’s Grand Piano and Linda Purl was the songstress headlining on the cabaret stage of the South Florida restaurant. 

South Florida Symphony Orchestras 25th Anniversary Season Concludes With Rachmaninoff and  Photo
​​​​​​​ South Florida Symphony Orchestra will close out its triumphant 25th anniversary season with a grand finale concert featuring  Rachmaninoff's demanding Piano Concerto No. 3 performed by Svetlana Smolina; along with Bruckner's choral masterpiece, Te Deum, featuring the South Florida Symphony Chorus and vocalists Elaine Alvarez, soprano; Rehanna Thelwell, mezzo-soprano; Neil Nelson, bass-baritone; and Arnold Rawls, tenor.

Classical Superstar Joshua Bell Joins Palm Beach Symphony, April 16 Photo
Grammy Award-winner Joshua Bell, one of the most celebrated violinists of his era, joins Maestro Gerard Schwarz and Palm Beach Symphony in an evening of Mendelssohn and Beethoven at the Kravis Center on Sunday, April 16 at 8 p.m. 

Lips Fort Lauderdale Launches New Saturday All-Inclusive Dragalicious Brunch Photo
Saturday afternoons in South Florida just got more glamorous! Lips Fort Lauderdale is launching a new Saturday Dragalicious Brunch beginning April 22, at 1:30 p.m.


More Hot Stories For You


South Florida Symphony Orchestra's 25th Anniversary Season Concludes With Rachmaninoff and BrucknerSouth Florida Symphony Orchestra's 25th Anniversary Season Concludes With Rachmaninoff and Bruckner
March 30, 2023

​​​​​​​ South Florida Symphony Orchestra will close out its triumphant 25th anniversary season with a grand finale concert featuring  Rachmaninoff's demanding Piano Concerto No. 3 performed by Svetlana Smolina; along with Bruckner's choral masterpiece, Te Deum, featuring the South Florida Symphony Chorus and vocalists Elaine Alvarez, soprano; Rehanna Thelwell, mezzo-soprano; Neil Nelson, bass-baritone; and Arnold Rawls, tenor.

Jeff Hamilton Trio Comes To Broward Center for the Performing Arts This AprilJeff Hamilton Trio Comes To Broward Center for the Performing Arts This April
March 29, 2023

This exuberant and lively musician, with reviews that reflect the riveting performances he offers, will share “Rim Shots” along with Tamir Hendelman on Piano and Jon Hamar on Bass at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, FL on Wednesday, April 12!

Lips Fort Lauderdale Launches New Saturday All-Inclusive Dragalicious BrunchLips Fort Lauderdale Launches New Saturday All-Inclusive Dragalicious Brunch
March 29, 2023

Saturday afternoons in South Florida just got more glamorous! Lips Fort Lauderdale is launching a new Saturday Dragalicious Brunch beginning April 22, at 1:30 p.m.

COWBOY Extended Through June At The Actors Temple TheatreCOWBOY Extended Through June At The Actors Temple Theatre
March 29, 2023

Cowboy, a story about Bass Reeves, will extend through June. The first full western on stage  in New York City in nearly 80 years.

TRYING by Joanna McClelland Glass to Close Out Palm Beach Dramaworks' 2023-24 SeasonTRYING by Joanna McClelland Glass to Close Out Palm Beach Dramaworks' 2023-24 Season
March 29, 2023

Joanna McClelland Glass’ Trying, a huge hit for Palm Beach Dramaworks in 2007, has been added to the company’s 2023-24 schedule, replacing Lynn Nottage’s Crumbs from the Table of Joy as the final play of the season.