Join us for the opening reception of Squash as featured artist Charles Humes, Jr. speaks about his work. A series of 20 watercolor paintings and other mixed-media artworks, this series examines South Florida's often overlooked agricultural areas and the migrants who work there. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-553-1134 or gonzalezja@mdpls.org. All Ages.
Experience the bold exhibition titled Squash - consisting of 20 watercolor paintings and an assortment of drawings and mix-media works by painter and muralist Charles Humes Jr.
Humes depicts images of Florida City and Homestead’s agricultural farming fields, featuring migrant workers harvesting several crops, including squash. The paintings highlighted in Squash are studies of Humes’ seemingly landscape view – the endless panoramic crop fields, rows of vast brilliant greens and the golden hues of squash.
His watercolor pieces are dramatic portraits that capture field workers picking, filling and loading their baskets with crops, under the early morning and afternoon sun. Humes visually connects these contemporary scenes with the historic imagery of slaves toiling in the fields of cotton and tobacco hundreds of years ago.
“I wanted to show the beauty and genre of these workers and pickers as they toil amid the various elements of field, weather and sun,” he said.
These studies were completed in early spring 2024 during Humes’ arts residency at Everglades National Park as an Artist in Residence in Everglades (AIRIE) recipient.
Humes expressed that his exhibit is a visual diary of his “walks and studies of massive farming fields, and the natural wonders of the Everglades that too few get to see.”
His painted sketches are part of a Plein Air technique that showcases fluid contrasts of space and form in vivid perspectives, capturing the region's topography. They also highlight the dramatic forms of field workers harvesting crops across acres of farmland, a signature of South Miami’s farming industry and community.
AGE GROUP: | Young Adult (12-18) | Older Adults (55+) | Adult (19+) |
EVENT TYPE: | In-Person | Art Exhibition |
Mon, Jan 27 | 9:30AM to 8:00PM |
Tue, Jan 28 | 9:30AM to 8:00PM |
Wed, Jan 29 | 9:30AM to 8:00PM |
Thu, Jan 30 | 9:30AM to 8:00PM |
Fri, Jan 31 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Sat, Feb 01 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Sun, Feb 02 | Closed |