This exhibition celebrates 25 years of The Vasari Project, a living archive that documents Miami-Dade's visual arts since 1945. Tracing its origins in early library exhibitions, the show highlights donated materials that reflect the city's evolving artistic landscape and cultural memory. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-375-2665 or fuenteso@mdpls.org. All ages.
Twenty-five years ago, the Miami-Dade Public Library System created The Vasari Project to document and preserve the vitality of the visual arts in Miami-Dade County dating back to 1945 and beyond. Three visionary women led the initiative: Art Librarian Margarita Cano; Miami Herald art critic, historian, and writer Helen L. Kohen; and Art Librarian and Art Services Manager Barbara N. Young. Together, they collaborated to establish this unique repository in 2000. With funding from the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs and the invaluable support of Library leadership, The Vasari Project was successfully launched.
Several exhibitions created by the Library’s Art Services Division underscored the need for a dedicated repository to preserve Miami’s art history. Miami Thriving in Change 1940-1990, organized in 1991, was a series of exhibitions that documented 50 years of arts and culture in the community. The exhibit Cultivated Under the Sun, 30 Years of Library Service, 1971-2001, curated by Cano, Kohen, and Young raised awareness of the Library’s art collection and documentation efforts.
The Vasari Project collection safeguards the ever-changing nature of the city’s museums, a decades-long roster of commercial galleries, and the footprints of artists who continue to leave their marks. Contributions to this significant archive — including exhibition catalogs, photographs, press clippings, oral histories, and other mementos — by public institutions, galleries, artists, art professionals, artist collectives, and private donors continue to document the many facets of Miami’s arts scene.
This is the second survey exhibition of materials donated to The Vasari Project since its founding 25 years ago, following Highlights from The Vasari Project Archive of the Miami-Dade Public Library System in 2012. As a living archive, donations are welcome to help fill historical gaps and to continue the legacy of its founders.
Together, we ensure that Miami’s artistic heritage is preserved, celebrated, and shared for generations to come.
AGE GROUP: | All Ages |
EVENT TYPE: | Special Collections | In-Person | History | Art Exhibition |
TAGS: | Special Collections | In-Person | Art |
Mon, Jul 14 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Tue, Jul 15 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Wed, Jul 16 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Thu, Jul 17 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Fri, Jul 18 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Sat, Jul 19 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Sun, Jul 20 | Closed |