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In Collaboration with Love of Urban Design (LOUD)
Miami Gardens Councilwoman Linda Julien proudly debuted the first-ever public art mural painting in Miami Gardens this month at Rolling Oaks Park (1317 NW 183rd St., Miami Gardens, FL, 33169) in collaboration with Love of Urban Design during LOUD® Week to honor former State Senator Oscar Braynon II and his family’s contribution to the city’s initial founding legacy.
Councilwoman Julien sponsored the resolution for the renaming of Rolling Oaks Park to the “State Senator Oscar Braynon II Park at Rolling Oaks” while simultaneously creating this first-ever city wide public art project, proving that Miami Gardens is shifting into a true cultural art hub. “I’m proud of the local arts and cultural programming we have created in Miami Gardens. This public art mural is the first of many and will begin to engage the local community, attract new visitors and stimulate economic growth,” said Councilwoman Julien.
Nearly 150 local residents, art enthusiasts and prominent elected officials including Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris, North Miami Councilwoman Mary Estime-Irvin, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Micky Steinberg, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Natalie Millian Orbis, Miami Dade County Commissioner Daniella Cohen-Higgins, Miami Gardens Councilwoman Linda Julien, Miami Dade County Kionee McGhee, Former Florida State Senator Oscar Brayon II, Former State Representative Richard Steinberg, Former Florida State Representative Erik Fresen, Miami Dade Commissioner County Oliver Gilbert III , Palm Beach County Commissioner, Bobby Powell, Miami Dade County Commissioner Rene Garcia, Miami Dade County School Board Member Dr. Steve Gallon, Miami Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon, Judge Christopher Benjamin, and Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones showed up to support Councilwoman Julien’s public art mural unveiling and public art project announcement, proving that public art is garnering great support and attention for the city.
Councilwoman Julien strategically collaborated with local creative entrepreneurs and businesses like Love of Urban Design and its founder, Dr. Karine Melissa, to build a diverse art scene and community in Miami Gardens. “Public art is something I’m passionate about, but lacking in Miami Gardens. Sitting on the Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs Council has allowed me to proactively expand the cultural arts programming in Miami Gardens and develop a diverse cultural, art, and fashion scene that sparks creativity,” Councilwoman Julien said.
Love of Urban Design (LOUD) and Councilwoman Julien proudly hosted and featured over 100 local artists, designers, creatives and brands at this year’s LOUD Week event series during the Art Basel season. “We worked closely with Linda to make sure this year’s LOUD Week events were even bigger and better than last year! And this new public art mural set the tone for just that,” said Dr. Karine Melissa, founder and co-owner of Love of Urban Design (LOUD).
Councilwoman Julien says this first-ever public art mural marks a new era of public art, celebrating local Black American history, creativity, legacy and community. “It’s a life size mural that is nearly 20 feet tall 20 feet wide, offering a visual heartfelt love letter to the city we call home. I’m proud to honor Senator Oscar Braynon II with this mural because he has fought for the city that we now know. He and his family have lived in, worked in and advocated for Miami Gardens since 1982; Oscar could have moved to another city when he returned home from college, but instead he came back to Miami Gardens, (then known as Carol City) and raised his sons here,” said Councilwoman Julien.
Additionally, Oscar served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to 2011 and then in the Florida Senate from 2011 to 2020, representing parts of southern Broward County and northern Miami-Dade County.
Following the unveiling of the public art mural created by local artist Rawsol also known as Caven K, a cocktail reception & dinner was hosted by Councilwoman Julien, honoring the contributions that Oscar Braynon has made to Miami Gardens over the last two decades.
Councilwoman Julien proudly presented Oscar Braynon II with a 40 inch tall by 30 inch wide portrait drawing commissioned by Anthony “Lump” Lumpkin, a Miami Gardens resident born and bred in the community, with an art studio that is also located in Miami Gardens. Julien has strategically supported and empowered local business owners in Miami Gardens by partnering with Love of Urban Design LOUD and artists like Lump. “Art creates tons of economic growth and I’m intentional about ensuring our local stakeholders share in that growth,” said Julien.
ABOUT COUNCILWOMAN LINDA JULIEN
Councilwoman Linda Julien holds Seat 5 for the City of Miami Gardens since and has been committed to local residents and voters to deliberating city business and policy that ultimately enhances the city’s economic, environmental, cultural, social and creative landscape. As a proud daughter of Haitian immigrants and Miami Gardens resident, Julien has long been an advocate for education, service and the arts. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in public administration from Florida International University (FIU) and a Master’s degree in the same domain from Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Julien has served in various capacities starting with serving on the Affordable Housing Board in Miami Dade County where she was appointed by the late Commissioner Dorrin D. Rolle, advocating for local working Americans achieving economic sustainability with access to home ownership. Julien often serves her local community in an effort to level the playing field for the most vulnerable population in underserved communities. Her expansive career path has been paved with experience working in multiple governmental areas including economic development, procurement, and public policy. To learn more about Julien, follow her on Instagram at @LindaJJulien and learn more about her role as a progressive Councilwoman pushing for innovation, creativity and action throughout Miami Gardens, visit MiamiGardens-fl.gov.
ABOUT MIAMI GARDENS
Miami Gardens is a city in north-central Miami-Dade County, Florida, originally incorporated in 2003 with over 100,000 residents. It is leading the South Florida region as a hub of innovation, creativity and entertainment being home to the iconic Hard Rock Stadium, which hosts the Miami Dolphins, Miami Hurricanes, and major events like the Miami Open and Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. The city is a diverse, working-class community with a large African American and Caribbean population—nearly 70 percent— and offers visitors a vibrant culinary scene with numerous beautiful public parks, small businesses and residential neighborhoods. To learn more about the city of Miami Gardens, please visit https://www.miamigardens-fl.
About LOVE OF URBAN DESIGN(LOUD®)
LOUD® (Love of Urban Design), founded by Dr. Karine Melissa, is a Miami Gardens–based creative production company, supported by Councilwoman Linda Julien, celebrating art, culture, fashion, and entrepreneurship across South Florida. LOUD® Week is held annually during Art Basel season, serving as a platform for emerging creatives to showcase their work and connect culture with community innovation. To learn more about LOUD Week, please visit www.LoudWeek.com.
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