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On February 27, the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami (MOCA) celebrated its 30th anniversary with an inaugural gala, A Night in Paradise, honoring Chair Emeritus William M. Lehman Jr. and internationally acclaimed artist Didier William. Hosted by NBC6 weekday morning news anchor Constance Jones, the evening brought together more than 200 guests, including Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who surprised both honorees with Congressional Records. The event also welcomed artists, community leaders, philanthropists, and art professionals, as well as a special performance by the legendary Dionne Warwick. The festivities exceeded fundraising goals to support MOCA’s mission.
A Night in Paradise celebrated three decades of MOCA’s dedication to contemporary art and its historical influences through exhibitions, educational programs, and collections. As the only major cultural institution between Miami’s Design District and Fort Lauderdale, MOCA has garnered international acclaim while remaining deeply connected to the local community since 1996.
Honoree William M. Lehman, Jr., a prominent businessman, philanthropist, and art collector, has played an integral role in shaping MOCA’s legacy. As Chair Emeritus of the Board, he has helped expand the museum’s board, present internationally recognized exhibitions, and secure significant funding, including a $3 million HUD grant to enhance MOCA’s facilities. His family’s deep-rooted contributions to MOCA’s history include his father, Congressman Lehman, securing the original $2.5 million HUD grant that built MOCA, and his mother, Joan, donating artworks and lending her name to the museum building.
MOCA also honored Didier William, a North Miami-raised artist whose first major museum show, Nou Kite Tout Sa Dèyè, was hosted by MOCA in 2022. The exhibition included a community initiative where William created a limited-edition print for 200 local families and organizations. William, who was born in Haiti, holds a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an MFA from Yale University. His work has been exhibited at major institutions including the Bronx Museum of Art, The Carnegie Museum, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and he is represented by James Fuentes Gallery in New York, Altman Siegel Gallery in San Francisco, and Galerie Peter Kilchmann in Zurich.
Another highlight of the evening included an exclusive live auction led by Phillips’ renowned auctioneer Isabella Proia, featuring two exceptional prints by honoree Didier William. The auction offered a unique opportunity to acquire William’s works Tender (2024) and Cursed Grounds: Blessed Bones (2022), both of which explore themes of identity, ancestry, and migration. Proceeds from the auction directly support MOCA’s programming and initiatives.
As MOCA moves into its 30th year, the unwavering support and partnership of its patrons are integral to both the institution and the cultural vitality of the city. With gratitude, MOCA recognizes the crucial role this support plays in ensuring the museum remains a beacon for contemporary art, enriching the local community and sparking global conversations for years to come.
The museum is deeply thankful for the generosity of its funders, including the City of North Miami, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, whose contributions make its mission possible. A special thank you is extended to the Wege Foundation, Lead Sponsor of A Night in Paradise, for its remarkable commitment to the arts. MOCA also acknowledges the generous contributions of its additional sponsors: Alondra Seafood, Bank of America, Big Fish Cut + Pack, Curated.Art, Fuentes El Atún Rojo, Gastronomy Supply, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kluger, Kaplan, Silverman, Katzen & Levine P.L., PNC Private Bank, Reed Smith, SoLé Mia, Victor A. Diaz Design Studio, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, 84 West Events, Bricklayer Agency, Edan Bistro, Florana, Jeren Tropicals, La Tropical, Lalo Tequila, Phillips, Sugarcane Magazine, and Una Vodka.
For more information about MOCA’s ongoing and upcoming programming, please visit mocanomi.org.
About the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami
MOCA North Miami presents contemporary art and its historical influences through exhibitions, educational programs, and collections. Inspired by its surrounding communities, MOCA connects diverse audiences and cultures by providing a welcoming place to encounter new ideas and voices and nurturing a lifelong love of the arts. MOCA developed from the Center of Contemporary Art which was inaugurated in 1981. The establishment of the permanent collection coincided with the institution’s move into its current building designed by Charles Gwathmey of GSNY in 1996.
Under the direction of Executive Director Chana Sheldon and a newly installed Board of Trustees, MOCA showcased My Name is Maryan curated by Alison Gingeras during Miami Art Week in 2021, which traveled to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in late 2022. The museum also premiered AFRICOBRA: Messages to the People during Art Basel Miami Beach in 2018. AFRICOBRA: Nation Time, the next chapter of the exhibition, was selected as an official Collateral Event of Biennale Arte 2019 in Venice, Italy. Other original exhibitions include: Andrea Chung: Between Too Late and Too Early (2024), Smita Sen: Embodied (2024); Manuel Mathieu: Dwelling on the Invisible (2024), Collection Focus: Light Play (2024), and Jamea Richmond-Edwards: Ancient Future (2023) curated by Adeze Wilford, Didier William: Nou Kite Tout Sa Dèyè curated by Erica Moiah James, Ph.D. (2022), Michael Richards: Are You Down? co-curated by Alex Fialho and Melissa Levin (2021), and Raul de Nieves: Eternal Return and The Obsidian Heart curated by Risa Puleo (2020).
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