Miami Art Gallery "The word Miami comes from..."

...the word Miami originated from...

The Mayaimis tribe that settled near Lake Okeechobee. The group adopted their name from the lake, which was then called “big water” in the language of the Mayaimis [11].

Our interpretation is slightly different. We believe that big water also means big spirit as water in our dreams usually references spirituality or God drawing us closer to him. We think big spirit is an appropriate description for the efforts of all those persons in Miami who suit up and show up to make the world a better place. Although we have provided a brief overview of a most enchanting locality exhibiting great diversity of cultures, cuisine, nightlife, worship and an abundance of art and a dig in the middle of downtown that may represent the oldest permanent structure in the United States possibly dating back to prehistoric times, it’s the people who create the food, art and the funding necessary to promote the many deserving charities and projects sponsored in Miami and vicinity. This site is dedicated to the many people some featured here who make such a difference in the lives of others… some who can’t speak for themselves.

{links to people who make a difference}

People Gallery 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Miami is a city of great contrast where many models, artists and sponsors of events either call home or return frequently. Annual and exhilarating events include the Miami fashion Week, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week hosted in the Wynwood Art District an art exhibition dubbed the worlds largest and “Olympics of Art” Art Basel of Miami Beach a separate but adjoining city. [1][4]

Wynwood is also referred to as "Little San Juan", and commonly known as "El Barrio" as many Puerto Ricans began immigrating to this Miami neighborhood from the island and northeastern cities in the 1950s. Puerto Rican owned restaurants, shops, markets and other businesses align the streets of Wynwood. [9]

The historical Art Deco district in South Beach is not to be missed for shopping, beaches and nightclubs and dare we say registrar of historical buildings. Miami is truly a destination where one can walk from downtown to Little Havana also located in the heart of Miami exists as if from another time as if from a Cuban storybook or old time Cuba. Hand rolled cigars, meat markets, herbal stores and fruiterias are but a short walk from downtown Miami and the breathtaking art deco high rises of this the largest concentration of international banks in the United States along Brickell Avenue. [8] Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays is an artistic, cultural, and social arts and culture fair that takes place on the last Friday of each month in the neighborhood and the heart of Calle Ocho [6].

Ancient History of Miami

III

True Tropical Climate

Miami is also known as the “Magic City” spawning

from its rapid growth of one thousand residents

{1,000} to five million residents {5,000.000.000} in

only 110 years. Miami has a true tropical climate.

The highest recorded temperature was ninety eight

degrees {98F}.

Metropolitan and Banking Powerhouse

Santeria

As Roman Catholics, catholic meaning universal, we appreciate the migration of the religion of Santeria with over 22,000 or more followers in the United States. [10]

"The colonial period from the standpoint of African slaves may be defined as a time of perseverance. Their world quickly changed. Tribal kings and families, politicians, business and community leaders all were enslaved in a foreign region of the world. Religious leaders, their descendants, and the faithful, were now slaves. Colonial laws criminalize their religion. They were forced to become baptized and worship a god their ancestors had not known who was surrounded by a pantheon of saints.

The early concerns during this period seem to indicate a need for individual survival under harsh plantation conditions. A sense of hope was sustaining the internal essence of what today is called Santería, a misnomer for the indigenous religion of the Lukumi people of Nigeria. [11] Santería, a pejorative term that characterizes deviant Catholic forms of worshiping saints, has become a common name for the religion.

The term santero(a) is used to describe a priest or priestess replacing the traditional term Olorisha as an extension of the deities. The orishas became known as the saints in image of the Catholic pantheon." (Ernesto Pichardo, CLBA, Santería in Contemporary Cuba: The individual life and condition of the priesthood) As mentioned, in order to preserve their authentic ancestral and traditional beliefs, the Lukumi people had no choice but to disguise their orishas as Catholic saints.

When the Roman Catholic slave owners observed Africans celebrating a Saint's Day, they were generally unaware that the slaves were actually worshiping their sacred orishas. In Cuba today, the terms "saint" and "orisha" are sometimes used interchangeably.

The term Santería was originally a derisive term applied by the Spanish to mock followers' seeming over devotion to the saints and their perceived neglect of God. It was later applied to the religion by others. This "veil" characterization of the relationship between Catholic saints and Cuban orisha, however, is somewhat undermined by the fact that the vast majority of santeros in Cuba today also consider themselves to be Catholics, have been baptized, and often require initiates to be baptized. Many hold separate rituals to honor the saints and orisha respectively, even though the disguise of Catholicism is no longer needed.

Lukumi religiosity works toward a balance in life on earth (androcentric) while the European religions work toward the hereafter. Some in Cuban Santería, Haitian Vodou or Puerto Rican spiritualism (Afro-Latin religions) do not view a difference between saints and orishas,^[6] the ancestor deities of the Lukumi people's Ifa religion.

There are now individuals who mix the Lukumí practices with traditional practices as they survived in Africa after the deleterious effects of colonialism. Although most of these mixes have not been at the hands of experienced or knowledgeable practitioners of either system, they have gained certain popularity. In 1974, the first Santería church in the US was incorporated as the Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye {More Pictures}

The sum of the parts…

Miami is partitioned into many different sections, roughly into North, South, West and Downtown. Miami is rich in diversity of local citizens including Cubans, Haitians, West Indians, Central and South Americans and Bohemians. The west central neighborhood of Allapattah is a multicultural community of many ethnicities. [5] Miami is the only major city in the United States founded by a woman Julie Tuttle of Cleveland, Ohio. [2]

Artist United for Haiti

(3-13-2010 8-30-53 AM)

[1][2][4][5][8] Miami, Florida Wikipedia

[3] Miami-Geology –Wikipedia

[6] Little Havana:Wikipedia

[7] Calle Ocho, Little Havana: About.com: Miami

[8] Miami Circle: Wikipedia

[9] Wynwood, Miami Florida

[10] Santeria

[11] Miami: Answers.com

PHOTO LINKS Below:

The People who make a Difference in Miami!

Santeria Photo Link Mayaimis Photo link

People Who make a Difference:

Magic Splender MIR Blacks Gala Melody Finley Aqua Party

Inner Circle of Twelve Women Social Manny Year of the Tiger

Solsa South Beach Homeowners association ArteAmericas

Children First Society Kick off Project Med Share

Social Miami

Calendar Miami Arts How you can Help

Philanthropy Miami

Honeyshine Mentouring

People who make a difference!

Miami Art

Cancer Charities

Kids at risk

Miami Art Gallery

Text Box: ...and the great cities of the United States forever series. Miami is a gateway to people who walk in from the ocean or land at the airport to attain the goal of freedom and a second chance in life; risking everything in their perilous crossings from Cuba, Haiti and other host countries to realize their vision of the American dream. But Miami is much more than geographically strategic as it’s power and prestige is borne and nurtured by the sacrifices, service and selfless giving of people...especially those people presented in this gallery who appeared one morning, afternoon or evening to attend any one of twenty or so fundraisers, presentations or awareness events. But for each one personalized here there are thousands more who strive to make the world and Miami a better place; their self sacrifice, sharing of their time and treasure or simply listening to another share grief, pain or joy. Many people and families in South Florida have lost fortunes in these perilous economic times. May we reflect for a moment and trade our financial insecurities for a warm embrace and the greatest gift of all…. each other <><

Night Clubs in Downtown Miami [2010.02.25]

Miami Circle Down Town

Bernice Steinbaum Gallery,

Art Basel of Miami

NEWS LINKS

REGISTRATION

As recently as 130,000 years ago all of Southern Florida including Miami was covered by a shallow sea with water depths 25 feet higher than today. By 15,000 years ago the sea dropped 300 feet below the contemporary level. The sea rose quickly after that stabilizing at the current levels about 4,000 years ago leaving the mainland of South Florida just above sea level. [3]

Off of Brickell Avenue in the center of downtown is the Miami Circle which may date to the time of Jesus Christ or 2000 years ago.

Apparently a developer purchased a dilapidated building and the land on which it was constructed. He razed the building and by law was required to conduct an archeological survey. The scientists discovered a perfect circle of 24 holes.

It remains the only known evidence of a prehistoric permanent structure cut into the bedrock anywhere in the United States and considerably predates other known permanent settlements on the East Coast. After a brief squabble with the owner the people through their elected leaders paid off that pesky developer who should thank his luck stars that his condominium tower was never built, especially now.

The structure may have been the capital of the Tequesta Indians. The Historical Museum of Southern Florida signed a long term lease and commenced tours in the spring of 2009. The site has since been included in the National Register of Historical Places and was declared a National Historic Landmark on January 16, 2009. [8]

Miami Circle

Approximately 400 men voted for Miami's incorporation in 1896 in the building to the left.

Flagler Street on August 15, 1945, 20 minutes after the announcement of Japan's surrender at the end of World War II.

Woodcut from A true and authentic account of the Indian war in Florida... (1836)

Down Town Miami Sky line South Beach

Miami Florida is the seventh {7^th} largest Metropolitan area in the United States with a population in excess of five million persons {5,000.000.000}.It is the fourth largest urbanized area in the United States behind New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago. Miami is home to the largest concentration of international bankers in the United States and popular entertainment in television, music, fashion, film and the performing arts. The port of Miami is the number one cruise/passenger port in the world.