Miami ArtWorks finds

BY MARISEL OTHON

Miami ArtWorks is located on the third level of Paseos Mall.

Before becoming an artist and art advocate, Schneiderman studied at Brooklyn College in New York, then Indiana University, later moving to Switzerland and finally to Miami in 1965.
In the early 1970s, Schneiderman worked with artists at the Grove House in Coconut Grove. It wasn't until about a year ago that she decided to bring a cultural community center to Coral Gables.

Miami ArtWorks (MAW) was set up with six studios in May 1998 on the first floor of Paseos Mall. Today, MAW is on the third level of Paseos with 25 artist's studios, a large exhibition/ sales/ showroom, a gift-shop, a meeting space for non-profit cultural organizations, a fully equipped ceramic facility, a metal shop, a maintenance/repair workshop and classrooms for painting, sculpture and ceramics.

"Things were going good downstairs, but the artists wanted more privacy," Schneiderman said.

"This space is a lot bigger and better. Paseos Mall has been vacated since October by all of its tenants with the exception of Bally and us," Schneiderman said.

"We do love it here but we really don't know what's going on. We feel that a mall setting is an excellent opportunity to bring contemporary artists, art and art classes to the masses. I feel that malls really give you access to a larger population than a museum or gallery would."

MAW has hosted numerous workshops, special events and eight art openings. At each art opening, MAW hosts an "Art Party" for its friends. In addition, MAW has provided classes in ceramics, sculpture, drawing, painting, faux finish, montage and jewelry, taught by the studio artists for children and adults. Six of MAW artists participated in an eight-week summer art camp program for children.

Schneiderman pioneered the South Florida Art Center down at Lincoln Road Mall. She left the center in 1992 and decided to go back to her studio for five years as a full-time artist and teacher.

A Coral Gables resident for more than 25 years, Schneiderman lives with her husband of 40 years, Neil, a research scientist at the University of Miami. They have three children and four granddaughters.

"When I met Neil he was the poet and I was a pre-med student," Schneiderman said.

She is hoping to provide artists a cultural community center where they can find a support system for each other. And MAW and its artists express just that.

"I use to be a banker in California," said Michael Tames, assistant director. "I did that for about 20 years and then decided to move to Miami to be with my mom. Here, I discovered art and it's been a great time since. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

"As an artist and working with artists for 25 years...artists are addicts to their profession," Schneiderman said. "So I've just tried to bring them together and closer to the public. As for Miami Artworks, it's going to flourish; it's going to get bigger and better. It really is a wonderful environment and a very special place."

The next "Art Party" and group exhibition "The Garden Show," featuring Veronica Fascie, is on Thursday, Jan. 27. Miami ArtWorks is located at 3301 Coral Way, Third Level, Paseos Mall.

For information, call 305-774-1682.