Vizcaya Museum and Gardens hosts a series of free art-making workshops this summer led by New York-based Processional Arts Workshop (PAW) artists Sophia Michahelles and Alex Kahn.
The workshops welcome community members of all ages and abilities and teach a variety of different artistic disciplines, from wire working to papier-mâché, used to create illuminated lanterns and 3-D puppets. The lanterns and puppets will take over the historic estate for a one-night-only twilight performance titled “FLOAT: A Caravel’s Journey,” a fantastic processional inspired by Vizcaya’s nautical motifs.
PAW artists integrate community members into their artistic process to create fantastic lanterns and 3-D puppets, and choreograph processional performances that showcase their creations.
All workshops are open free to the public. Children ages 8 and up are welcome to participate in the workshops with the company and collaboration of an adult. Workshops take place at Vizcaya Village, located across S. Miami Avenue from the Main House and gardens at 3250 S. Miami Ave.
Online registration is required at vizcayatickets.org.
Workshops are offered as follows:
Saturday, July 28, noon-3 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.;
Sunday, July 29, noon–3 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.;
Monday, July 30, 2-5 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.;
Tuesday, July 31, 2-5 p.m. and 5-8:00 p.m.;
Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2-5:00 p.m.;
Thursday, Aug. 2, 2-5 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.
The performance, “FLOAT: A Caravel’s Journey,” takes place on Saturday, Aug. 4, at 8 p.m. Building on the past successes of “Whirl” (2016) and “Bloom” (2017), the final performance of the trilogy will explore James Deering’s romance with the sea, and his concept of Vizcaya as a nautical fantasy. Designed as a cumulative procession that connects both sides of Vizcaya, it will start at twilight in the Village and, like a stream, make its way to the waterfront, growing as it encounters and absorbs elements from “Whirl” and “Bloom” into its flow.
The performance will incorporate the illuminated lanterns and 3-D puppets built during the community art-making workshops. Those who wish also will have the opportunity to perform as cast members in the culminating twilight procession with no added fees or costs.
For spectators wishing to experience the procession, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, ages 6 to 12, and can be purchased at vizcayatickets.org.
