Online Newsroom

Welcome to the Online Newsroom archive of Coral Gables Museum.

For more information contact:
Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

January 11, 2013

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

Coral Gables Museum Announces a new Saturday Morning Downtown Coral Gables Architectural Walking Tour
Beginning Saturday, January 19

Want to get to know downtown Coral Gables and its architectural heritage? Join the Coral Gables Museum every Saturday, at 11:00am for a delightful jaunt through the Gables busting business district. This thriving area began in the 1920’s as a humble commercial district filled with Mediterranean Revival buildings and at one time featured a Ford dealership, an outdoor theater and a riding club!

October 3, 2012

Cristina Mas via email at this link or call 786-393-843.

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM HOSTS
SECOND ANNUAL “PARTY ON THE PLAZA”

Annual Event Showcases Miami’s Most Talented Emerging Young Artists

On Friday November 2, 2012 The Coral Gables Museum’s Young Associates will host their second annual “Party on The Plaza” featuring the latest artwork from Miami’s emerging talent.

“The Young Associates is one of the first young professional organizations in Coral Gables,” said Cristina Mas, president of the Young Associates.  “We created this event to promote our group, the Museum, and to introduce up-and-coming local artists to the Miami arts community.”  

Following the tremendous success of last year’s launch that raised over $25,000 for the Museum, the Young Associates are expected to bring in even bigger crowds with an expansive exhibition of bright young artists.  Featured artists include Victor Alarcon, Christiaan Lopez-Miro, Alex Mijares, Paul Ramirez, Raul Boesel Jr., Gaudi Castro, and Michael Halley.  All work will be available for purchase with proceeds going to the Coral Gables Museum.

Returning for his second Party on The Plaza exhibition is Alex Mijares, widely considered one of the greatest up-and-coming artists in South Florida.  Mijares has been described as “a genius of colors and shapes” by the internationally renowned, Miami-based artist Romero Britto. He credits last year’s exhibition for helping him launch his career.

"Party on The Plaza helped introduce my name to the community, providing my first platform where my art could be appreciated.  It was the launching point of my career as an artist,” said Mijares.  “Since then I have done numerous shows all over the country.  I am forever grateful to the Young Associates for giving me this opportunity."

The Honorable Jim Cason, Mayor, City of Coral Gables, will provide opening remarks at the event. Party on The Plaza will be held primarily outdoors in the museum’s historic limestone plaza, where guests can enjoy hors d’ouevres, and Bacardi drinks, including adult mojito and piña colada snow cones. Music will be provided by DJ Jeff Wool and a photobooth is available for guests to commemorate the night with pictures.

Pre-sale tickets are currently available for $25 before October 15 and $30 after October 15.  Tickets purchased the night of the event will be available for $35.  The event will be held on Friday, November 2, 2012 from 7:00 - 11:30 p.m. at the Coral Gables Museum, located at 285 Aragon Avenue.  For more information and to purchase tickets please visit the event web page here.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

Coral Gables Museum
The Coral Gables Museum celebrates the civic arts of architecture, city planning, landscape architecture, historic and environmental preservation and history-the elements that define Coral Gables. It is a true public/private partnership between the City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Museum Corp., a private, not for profit 501.c.3 Corporation. The Museum opened its first exhibitions in October 2011.

The Museum’s mission is to celebrate, investigate and explore the civic arts of architecture and urban and environmental design, including fostering appreciation for the history, vision, and cultural landscape of Coral Gables to promote beauty and planning as well as historic and environmental preservation for a broad audience, including children, families, and community members, as well as local, regional, national and international visitors. The museum optimizes its mission by cultivating effective partnerships, and providing programming that includes exhibitions, collections, educational offerings, lectures, tours, publications and special events.

Young Associates
The Young Associates is a new forum for like-minded young professionals and art enthusiasts under age 40 to connect with peers while supporting the Coral Gables Museum and enjoying all it has to offer. Y.A. is a group of up-and-coming community leaders with the common mission of promoting museum membership and events, while providing a venue to share community passions, specifically emphasizing promotion of the arts and a vibrant Coral Gables.

click here to view or download a PDF version of this release.

February 7, 2011

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM NAMES ARVA MOORE PARKS

ACTING DIRECTOR

Noted South Florida historian and community leader will lead CGM as it installs its first exhibits and opens to the public.

George Kakouris, Chairman of the Board of the Coral Gables Museum, announced today that Arva Moore Parks has agreed to serve as Acting Director and Chief Curator leading up to the Museum’s official opening in May.  Parks has been a member of the museum’s Board since 2004 and currently serves as curator of the first exhibit: “Creating the Dream: George Merrick and his Vision for Coral Gables.”  She has also held leadership positions in museums including serving as the first woman president of HistoryMiami, the first chairperson of the State of Florida Governor’s Mansion Commission and the first chair of the Vizcaya Trust. 

She will be taking a leave of absence from the Board.

“Arva’s knowledge of Coral Gables history and experience with museums,” said Kakouris, “is just what we need to help us open this important new cultural institution.  We look forward to working with her as we launch our first exhibits and welcome the public.”

Arva Parks is well known in Coral Gables.  As chair of the City’s Historic Preservation Board, she led the effort for the City to purchase the Coral Gables Merrick House and to begin restoration of the Biltmore Hotel.  She was named Coral Gables Citizen of the Year 1983 and recently received the first Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce George E. Merrick Spirit of Excellence award.

She is author of many books on South Florida history including the Miami the Magic City, the City of Miami’s official history.  Recently she wrote George Merrick’s Coral Gables: Where Your Castles in Spain are Made Real.   She is currently writing a biography of George Merrick.

Parks has worked professionally as a curator and guest curator for exhibits and historic house interpretation including the Barnacle Historic State Park, Harry Truman’s Little White House in Key West, Pigeon Key and the University of Miami’s 75th Anniversary exhibit at the Lowe Museum where she also wrote the catalogue to the exhibit.  She was also the guest curator of the Coral Gables Museum’s Preview Exhibition at Old Spanish Village and authored the catalogue entitled “Celebrate.”

She has been widely honored for both her scholarship and leadership.  She held a presidential appointment to the Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and was inducted into the State of Florida and City of Miami’s Women’s Hall of Fame. 

Parks earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and a Master’s in History from the University of Miami.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

The Coral Gables Museum is a true public/private partnership between the City of Coral Gables who owns the Museum facility and the Coral Gables Museum Corp. who operates it. Coral Gables Museum Corp., incorporated in 2003, is a not for profit corporation recognized under section 501.c.3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Museum’s mission is to celebrate, investigate and explore the civic arts of architecture and urban and environmental design, including fostering appreciation for the history, vision, and cultural landscape of Coral Gables to promote beauty and planning as well as historic and environmental preservation for a broad audience, including children, families, and community members, as well as local, regional, national and international visitors. The museum optimizes its mission by cultivating effective partnerships, and providing programming that includes exhibitions, collections, educational offerings, lectures, tours, publications and special events.

HISTORY

The Coral Gables Museum has been the dream of many Coral Gables leaders for over a decade.  By 2005 it became evident that the Coral Gables’ historic Municipal Building, better known as the Old Police and Fire Station, had deteriorated to a point where major renovation was needed.  The building, a 1939 Deco and Mediterranean-style coral stone structure designed and constructed as a New Deal Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Holding true to Coral Gables’ vision of historic preservation in The City Beautiful, City officials and the Coral Gables Museum Corp. began a partnership to renovate the building, add a state-of-the-art exhibition gallery in an adjacent parking lot and create a new museum in the heart of the City’s downtown.

On October 10, 2010 (10/10/10), upon completion of the renovation, the City and the Museum hosted a free, public, grand opening and building dedication ceremony.  The Museum, with its beautiful gallery spaces, community meeting room, courtyard and plaza, will serve as the cultural center of The City Beautiful. 

September 22,, 2010

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

The City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Museum will host a public Open House and Ribbon Cutting Dedication on October 10, 2010 - 10 ¦ 10 ¦ 10 at the newly restored Old Police and Fire Station.  This 1939 structure, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will be the new home of the Coral Gables Museum and the City of Coral Gables’ Historical Resources Department and Raul Valdes-Fauli Archives. 

The Open House will begin at 10:10 a.m. with coffee, juice, pastries and bagels; activities for children and families and self-guided tours. The beautiful 1939 building – whose spectacular restoration will serve as the Museum’s initial “exhibition” – will be open all day for casual visits, activities and tours.  The Museum’s Main Entrance is at 285 Aragon Avenue in Downtown Coral Gables.

At 2:00 p.m., the project’s architect, Jorge L. Hernandez, will speak on the process and inspirations he used to transform the landmark 1939 Police and Fire Station into the Coral Gables Museum.  Activities for children and families and self guided tours will continue throughout the day.  Following Mr. Hernandez’s lecture, cake and ice cream will be served in the new Museum Courtyard.

At 4:00 p.m. live music will begin in the Giralda Plaza, a newly created public space on the corner of Salzedo and Giralda, as guests arrive for the 5:00 p.m. dedication ceremonies.

At 5:00 p.m. the governing bodies of the two host organizations – the City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Museum – will recognize and honor all those individuals, governmental agencies, corporations and private foundations that have made this renovation and construction possible.

A symbolic ribbon will be cut at the end of the ceremonies and everyone will be encouraged to tour the beautiful new Museum and Archives. Music, hors d'oeuvres and mojitos provided by Bacardi USA of Coral Gables will continue in the plaza until 7:00 p.m.

The Coral Gables Museum is a public / private partnership between the City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Museum Corp., a not for profit 501.c.3 corporation. The Museum will operate this educational cultural institution within the City owned facility which will also house the Coral Gables Historic Preservation Department.  The Museum raises its own operating budget to fund the exhibitions and educational programs it provides, through memberships, private and government grants, admissions, earned income and contributions.  

The Coral Gables Museum has been the dream of many Coral Gables leaders for over a decade.  By 2005 it became evident that the Gables’ old Municipal Building, better known as the Old Police and Fire Station, had deteriorated to a point where major renovation was needed.  The building, a 1939 Deco and Mediterranean Revival coral stone structure designed and constructed as a WPA project, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Holding true to Coral Gables’ vision of historic preservation in The City Beautiful, City officials and the newly formed Coral Gables Museum Corp. began a partnership to restore and renovate the building, add a state-of-the-art exhibition gallery in an adjacent parking lot and create a new museum in the heart of the City’s downtown.  The Museum, with its beautiful gallery spaces, community meeting room, courtyard and plaza, will serve as the cultural center of The City Beautiful.

Construction and restoration of the new Coral Gables Museum has recently been completed.  In addition to restoring the 1939 building, the Museum has built the 3,000 square foot Robert and Marian Fewell Gallery to present major exhibitions.  Mr. and Mrs. Fewell, the project’s largest private donors, contributed the funds to build the new Gallery. 

Other funding for the project came from the City of Coral Gables, private donations to the City of Coral Gables, contributions to the Coral Museum Corp., the State of Florida Historical Preservation Program and Miami-Dade County General Obligation Bond Funds.

The Museum’s mission is to celebrate, investigate and explore all aspects of architecture, landscape architecture, design and urban planning as well as historic and environmental preservation, set within the context of one of America’s first and most successful planned communities – the City of Coral Gables. 

July 12, 2010

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

Coral Gables Museum’s City Trekker Summer Camp is off to a Great Start

Campers enrolled in the new City Trekker Summer Camp at the Coral Gables Museum did their share of exploring the City Beautiful during Urban Masterpiece Week, the first of several one-week sessions. From residences to office towers, the campers were treated to guided tours of the City’s most distinct landmarks. Stops included The Biltmore Hotel, the Merrick House, Coral Gables City Hall and the Alhambra Towers where owner Allen Morris provided a personalized tour. After touring the City, studying works by master artists, learning about public art and crafting their own architectural creations, campers broke into teams to plan, design, construct and name their own ideal cities.
Every week at camp’s end, students will present their works and experiences to friends and family at Friday Finale. With a different theme each week, City Trekker Campers are currently enrolled in “Picture Perfect” – a week of field trips and photography projects. Next week, July 5-9, is “Garden Challenge”.

For more information about City Trekker Summer Camp visit www.coralgablesmuseum.org or call Caroline Parker, Director of Programs at 305-989-4209.
The Museum’s mission is to celebrate, investigate and explore all aspects of architecture, landscape architecture, design and urban planning as well as historic and environmental preservation set within the context of one of America’s first and most successful planned communities – the City of Coral Gables.

May 6, 2010

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

Coral Gables Museum Hosts Building a Dream Book Signing

The Coral Gables Museum invites the public to a very special book signing and unveiling at the Museum on Thursday, May 20 at 6:00pm. Student authors of Building a Dream, a beautiful book detailing the development and architectural heritage of the City of Coral Gables, will be on hand to sign books and discuss their contributions to the project. The students, who were participants in Shenandoah Middle Museum Magnet School Program, completed 15 hand-bound editions of the book last year. The book was so well-received that a group composed of The Villagers, Lynn Bauer, Claire-Frances Whitehurst and Robert Fewell decided to fund further production of the book. Building a Dream will be available for sale with proceeds to benefit children’s educational programs at the Museum. The book signing and sale will be the first public event to be held in the new Community Room at the Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables.

March 26, 2010

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

Museum invites families to City Trekker Open House

The Coral Gables Museum invites families to attend the City Trekker Open House on April 17th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free event, hosted at the new Museum facilities, will offer families information on the new City Trekker Summer Camp and provide kids with educational activities.

City Trekker Summer Camp will offer eight weeks of fun, educational activities for children ages 5-12, from June 21 through August 13. Campers will explore the City of Coral Gables on foot, by bus and by water!

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM ANNOUNCES

APPOINTMENT OF FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Coral Gables Museum Chairman of the Board George Kakouris announced today the appointment of Steven Klindt as the museum's first executive director. Klindt was selected by the Board of Trustees following a nationwide search that began in early 2009. "We are very excited with our selection of Steven Klindt as the museum's first executive director. His breadth of experience and knowledge of professional museum practices will serve this institution well as we launch the new Coral Gables Museum," says Kakouris. "Steven brings an extensive background in museum administration, capital projects, exhibition preparation, staff development and teaching."

Steven Klindt, Executive Director

The Coral Gables Museum is a public/private partnership between the City of Coral Gables, Florida and the Coral Gables Museum Corp., a not-for-profit corporation formed in 2003. The Coral Gables Museum, currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2010, will be the first locally and federally designated historic building in the entire country to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. The architectural firm of Jorge L. Hernandez Architects in Coral Gables has designed the renovation and new spaces integrating green building practices.

The new Coral Gables Museum, which was the original Coral Gables Police and Fire Station, is being completely renovated and will include gallery and exhibition spaces, a community room, museum offices, storage and work areas, city archives, a research library and outdoor meeting and social spaces. In addition to the restored historic spaces, a new 3,000-square-foot gallery and a 5,000-square-foot public plaza will be integrated into the Museum complex. The original 1939 coral rock structure, designed by architect Phineas Paist of Coral Gables, was a federal Works Project Administration endeavor and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Klindt joins the Coral Gables Museum from the Tampa Museum of Art, where he served as director of development and public affairs for eight years. During his tenure in Tampa, Klindt worked with staff, volunteers and community leaders to raise funds to build a new museum facility, now under construction in downtown Tampa. Prior to his position in Tampa, Klindt served as executive director of the Morris Museum, a history, science and art museum in Morristown, New Jersey.

Klindt's experience also includes positions as executive director of the Queens Museum of Art in New York City, and the Tweed Museum of Art at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. From 1992 to 2001, Klindt was an adjunct associate professor at New York University, Department of Art and Art Professions, Graduate Division, teaching arts administration courses. Additionally, Klindt has overseen construction projects in Queens and at the University of Minnesota. In 1980, he was the founding director of the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago. Klindt holds a bachelor's degree in art and art history and a masters degree in photography, both from the University of Iowa.

The mission of the Coral Gables Museum celebrates the civic arts with a focus on architecture, urban design and planning, sustainable development and historic and environmental preservation through education, scholarship and exhibitions. By fostering appreciation for the history, vision, and cultural landscape of Coral Gables, the Museum values and promotes beauty, planning and historic and environmental preservation.

Scheduled to open in 2010, the Coral Gables Museum is the only museum south of Washington, DC dedicated to place-making - exploring how architecture, art and place unite to foster sustained cultural, educational and community well-being. Engaging a variety of partners - schools, universities and professional organizations - through interdisciplinary programming and exhibitions, the Museum will provide visitors with skills to better understand and shape, and thereby determine the future of their communities.

Additional information concerning The Coral Gables Museum may be found at www.CoralGablesMuseum.org.

February 16, 2009

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM
RECEIVES VILLAGERS GRANT
FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

The Coral Gables Museum was recently awarded a grant by The Villagers for their collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Museum Magnet Program.  The pilot program, utilizing students from Shenandoah Middle School, features a HIP (Historically Important Places) HOP tour of significant structures in Coral Gables.  Students are guided through venues and discuss issues relating to all aspects of place – cultural, environmental, historical and architectural.  Participants are provided with cameras to photograph the venues.  At the future site of the Museum, the Old Police and Fire Station, students interviewed two retired fire fighters, and were guided on a hard hat tour of the building.

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The Museum Magnet program at Shenandoah has been one of the most successful in the County.  The program utilizes instructional strategies that allow students to develop flexible and rigorous thinking skills based on individual experiences and interactions with object-based learning resources.  A class project based upon students’ experiences is mandatory.  The students, working with consultants and Museum Director Christine Rupp, are creating a coffee table book titled, “Building a Dream” which highlights the Coral Gables Museum and the elements involved in the project:  architecture, historic preservation, green design and community planning.  A book preview party is scheduled for mid-April.

click here to view or download a PDF version of this release.

February 9, 2009

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM NAMES
VENNY TORRE TO BOARD OF DIRECTOS

The Coral Gables Museum recently elected Venny Torre to the Museum’s Board of Directors. Torre is president and CEO of Torre Development Group Inc., a full service real estate development, construction management, and certified general contracting company.  He is also the owner and president of Network Investments of South Florida, a real estate brokerage company.  Additionally, he is currently a partner and managerially involved in several commercial and real estate development projects throughout Central and South Florida.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Building Construction from the University of Florida as well as an Associate in Arts in Architecture Degree.  Mr. Torre is a Certified Florida Licensed General Contractor as well a Florida licensed real estate broker.  He resides in Coral Gables with his wife and daughter.  

click here to view or download a PDF version of this release.

November 19, 2008

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM NAMES
GEORGE L. CUESTA TO BOARD OF DIRECTOS

The Coral Gables Museum recently elected George L. Cuesta to the Museum’s Board of Directors. Cuesta, a principal of Miami-based Cuesta Construction, has an extensive background in finance, having served as Commercial Lending Vice-President for Terrebank, NA and SunTrust Bank, NA.  A graduate of Florida International University, Cuesta also currently serves on the Advisory Boards of St. Thomas University Board and the Associated Builders and Contractors, Florida East Coast Chapter.  He resides in Miami with his wife, Marcela and three children.

November 17, 2008

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM
GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST
WORKSHOPS A GREAT SUCCESS

The Coral Gables Museum presented two successful Gingerbread House Making workshops this month at the Coral Gables Youth Center, in conjunction with the Museum’s First Annual Gingerbread House Contest.  Participants were supplied with homemade gingerbread house templates and decorations to create their own original house designs.  The workshops, presented to assist contest participants, were led by the Museum’s Project Manager, Matt Anders, and were chock full of gingerbread house information, recipes, construction and decorating tips and of course, sweet, sugary, colorful creations.  Participants included design professionals, children aged 4-16, adults, youth groups, bakers and novice gingerbread house makers. 

The contest is open to everyone and the Museum has posted design and decorating tips and recipes on their website, www.coralgablesmuseum.org to assist those contestants who were not able to attend the workshops.  The contest entries will be displayed and open to the public December 12-14 at Old Spanish Village, 2901 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, with the awards ceremony and reception on December 14th.  Top prize is $500.  There are a variety of categories for children, adults and professionals.  For information visit the Museum’s website or call 305-910-3996.  Proceeds from the contest will benefit the Museum’s Educational Programming Fund and the Community Partnership for Homeless.  The contest is sponsored by Cuesta Construction, Old Spanish Village, the Bank of Coral Gables, the City of Coral Gables, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the Coral Gables Business Improvement District, Shell Lumber, Bacardi and Dylan’s Candybar.

click here to view or download a PDF version of this release.

November 17, 2008

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM
CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES

Construction has commenced at the site of the future Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue.  The coral stone structure, built by the WPA in 1939, originally served as Coral Gables Police and Fire Station.  Restoration and rehabilitation of the building is guided by Jorge L. Hernandez Architect’s project Manager, Matt Anders.  The contractors, Dooley Mack , and a team from Thunder Demolition have carefully removed walls, floors and ceilings which were not original to the building, exposing the original Key Largo coral stone, Cuban tiles, wood frame casement windows, Dade County pine doors, lofty ceilings and etchings in the walls of the old jail cells.  The renown firm Conservation Solutions has also been on site to test the integrity of the original materials and recommend restoration processes.

The Coral Gables Museum, a civic arts museum, is scheduled to open in 2010.

The public is invited to view the restoration in process and see Museum plans, models and renderings this Friday, November 21st at 5:30pm, at a hard hat reception and tour, held in conjunction with the American Institute of Architects Celebrate Architecture Month.  RSVP required. Call 305-910-3996 or e-mail this link to reserve.

click here to view or download a PDF version of this release.

November 10, 2008

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

GINGERBREAD MAN PROMOTES THE
CORAL GABLES MUSEUM’S
FIRST ANNUAL GINGERBREADHOUSE CONTEST

To the delight of children of all ages, the Coral Gables Museum’s Gingerbread Man has been seen around the Gables promoting the Museum’s First Annual Gingerbread House Contest.  Appearing at the Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast, the Gingerbread Man posed for photos with Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick and the Biltmore Hotel’s General Manager, Dennis Doucette.

The Gingerbread Man has also been frequenting shops in downtown Coral Gables, aquatinting himself with local shop proprietors.  We are told he is a chocolate lover and is seen in the attached photo with Peterbrooke Chocolatier owner Sharon Cahoon and staff.

click here to view or download a PDF version of this release.

October 31, 2008

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-603-8067.

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM
GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST
ATTRACTS GINGERBREAD MAN TO CORAL GABLES

It’s official!  The Gingerbread Man is re-locating to Coral Gables.  Drawn to South Florida by our warm climate and the news of a Gingerbread House Contest, the Gingerbread Man is checking out area commercial venues and has been seen with community leaders.  The Gingerbread Man was formally introduced to the Gables business at the Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast on October 16th at the Biltmore Hotel.

He will join in the Halloween on the Mile festivities in downtown Coral Gables later today and has announced his plans to dine at Houston’s with his entourage.

click here to view or download a PDF version of this release.

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM
ANNOUNCES FIRST ANNUAL
GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST

This holiday season we all need bread – Gingerbread!

The Coral Gables Museum, which will celebrate the civic arts of architecture and urban design and planning, is proud to announce the 1st Annual Gingerbread House Contest to benefit the Museum’s Educational Programming Fund and the Community Partnership for Homeless.

The entire community – kids, youth groups, teens, families, adult teams, students, businesses, architects, designers – everyone is invited to create a sugary confection for a wonderful cause.  There are various categories with cash and other prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.  Any type of architectural structure may be submitted and there is a special prize category for best depiction of a Coral Gables structure.

The contest entries will be displayed in the Gables’ original Art and Architecture Center at 2901 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, currently the Old Spanish Village Sales Gallery, from Friday, December 12 – Sunday, December 14, with judging and a reception on Sunday evening.  Celebrity chefs and bakers will also submit entries for a silent auction.  All entrants and prize winners will be encouraged to donate their entries to the Community Partnership for Homeless to serve as holiday decorations at their Miami facility. 

Participants are invited to attend complimentary Gingerbread House workshops at the Coral Gables Youth Center on Saturday, November 8th and Saturday, November 15th.

Current contest sponsors include Cuesta Construction, the Bank of Coral Gables, Publix, the Coral Gables Business Improvement District, Old Spanish Village, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the City of Coral Gables.  Please join us in the fun, help make the holidays brighter for those who need it most and assist the Museum in developing educational programming for our community’s underserved youth.  Contest registration forms and rules and regulations are available on the Museum’s website, www.coralgablesmuseum.org or by calling 305-603-8067.       

Build your gingerbread house and help the Coral Gables Museum build an annual community holiday tradition!

click here to view or download a PDF version of this release.

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM ARCHITECT
TO BE ELECTED TRUSTEE
OF NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Coral Gables Museum architect, Jorge Hernandez will be elected to serve on the prestigious National Trust for Historic Preservation Board of Trustees at the Annual Membership Meeting of the organization on October 22nd in Tulsa Oklahoma.  Hernandez, principal of Coral Gables-based Jorge L. Hernandez Architect, PA, is also a professor of architecture at the University of Miami and a staunch preservationist.

He was born in Havana Cuba in 1956 and immigrated to Miami in 1962.  Receiving a BA in architecture from the University of Miami in 1980 and an MA in Architecture from the University of Virginia, he returned to UM to teach in 1987.

Jorge feels strongly that, just as an architect should be responsible for the physical shaping of community, he should also participate in shaping the ideological structure of a community. It was this philosophy, and his appreciation for the vision of Coral Gables founder and developer George Merrick, that cemented his firm as the architect of choice for the Coral Gables Museum project.

Since his return to Coral Gables in 1987, Jorge has served on numerous local, state boards, and agencies. He was the Chair for the State of Florida Historic Preservation Advisory Council, Vice-chair of the Florida Historical Commission and was a Trustee of the Florida Trust. Most recently, he is championing the designation and preservation of civil rights, women’s rights, and Hispanic monuments and sites in Florida.  He is married to Alina Palacios-Hernandez and has three children: Alexander, Carolina, and Christopher. They reside in Coral Gables.

click here to view or download a PDF version of this release.

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM ANNOUNCES
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN LECTURE SERIES

The Coral Gables Museum will present a First Fridays Architecture and Design Lecture Series, October 2008 – April 2009.  Scheduled to coincide with the Gables’ Gallery Nights, the lectures will be held at Coral Gables’ original Art and Architecture Center at 2901 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, now the Old Spanish Village Sales Gallery. 

The series kicks off this Friday, October 3rd with:

The Fabulous Four:  H. George Fink, Walter DeGarmo, Richard Kiehnel and Phineas Paist   Historian, author and Museum Board member Arva Moore Parks explores the works of the four most influential architects in the early development of Coral Gables.

The lecture will be followed by a wine and cheese reception and tours of the Museum’s preview “Celebrate” exhibit, also housed at the Sales Gallery.  In keeping with the spirit of the Museum’s pre-opening programming, lectures are free and open to the public.  Due to limited seating, reservations are required.  Donations to the Museum are accepted.  For information or to reserve, call 305-910-3996, contact us via this link.

The remaining schedule features:

Friday, November 7, 2008  

The New Deal in South Florida
FIU Professor of Architecture John Stuart explores the regional impact of a wide variety of New Deal projects including public murals, housing, parks, and architectural and community design, some of which are located in the Gables.

Friday, December 5, 2008: 

Health and Well-Being in Coral Gables
UM Architecture Professor Joanna Lombard will present her fascinating research performed as a member of the University of Miami Built Environment and Health Team.  Can urban planning and design affect the health of community residents?  Yes!

Friday, February 6, 2009  

Green Before Green:  George Merrick and the Environment
Author and historian Arva Moore Parks talks about the environmentally correct design principles of George Merrick and his methodology for “greening” the Gables.

Friday, March 6, 2009    

Building Close to Nature:  The Early Architecture of Dade County’s Park System
UM School of Architecture professor and author Rocco Ceo’s covers the design and construction of Miami-Dade County's early park architecture and how this architecture evolved in a context of forest fires, devastating hurricanes and the post-boom period of the 1930's.

Friday, April 3, 2009                

The Villages:  From the Craft Section to Old Spanish Village 

Historian and author Arva Moore Parks’ research has given her great insight into the City of Coral Gables history and development, and how the architectural “village” theme was at the heart of the City’s plan. 

The First Fridays Art and Design Lecture Series is made possible with the support of the City of Coral Gables, Cuesta Construction, Old Spanish Village and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners.

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CORAL GABLES MUSEUM RECEIVES
UNIQUE DONATION

When Dolores Houston purchased her old Spanish home on Venetia Avenue in 1966, she didn’t pay much attention to the colorful, old sign that was stored up on the rafters in her garage. She knew it must have had some importance, and kept it.  As time passed, she meant to investigate the origin of the sign but never got around to it – much to the benefit of the Coral Gables Museum. 

Hearing about the Museum project, Ms. Houston contacted Christine Rupp, the Museum’s Director of Operations, to determine if the sign would be of interest to the Museum.  Constructed of Dade County Pine, hand stenciled and colorfully painted in teal, royal blue and yellow, the sign reads:

Designed
By
Siefert & Risch
242 Aragon Ave.
Coral Gables

Ms. Rupp contacted Simone Chin at the City of Coral Gables Historical Resources Division who confirmed that Siefert & Risch were indeed the architects of the home, originally built for Mr. J.M. Stabile under city permit number 1929, dated December 3, 1925.  Siefert was an Austrian sculptor and architect.  Stabile was the namesake for the Stabile Building at the southeast corner of Aragon and Salzedo, the old Books and Books location.

The sign was undoubtedly displayed in the front yard of the Venetia Avenue house when constructed and then stored in the garage for 83 years before Ms. Houston donated it to the Museum.  Thrilled to hear about the history and significance of the sign, Ms. Houston is delighted she kept the sign for all these years and could contribute it to the Museum’s collection.  Hopefully, her story may compel other Gables residents to come forward with memorabilia and items that may assist in uncovering the history of the City Beautiful. 

For information, call Ms. Rupp, Director of Operations, at 305-910-3996 or via this link.

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CORAL GABLES MUSEUM ANNOUNCES
ARVA MOORE PARKS LECTURES

The Coral Gables Museum will present two late summer lectures by Museum Board Member and historian Arva Moore Parks.  On Sunday, August 10, Parks’ topic will be Summer Secrets:  Gee, I didn't know that about George Merrick and Coral Gables! On Sunday, September 21, she will discuss Merrick Musings:  The Writing and Imagery of George Merrick.

The venue for both lectures, which will begin at 4:00pm, will be at the Old Spanish Village Sales Gallery, 2901 Ponce de Leon Boulevard.  In keeping with the spirit of Museum’s pre-opening programming, the lectures are free and open to the public.  Seating is limited, reservations required.  Donations to the Museum are appreciated. To RSVP, call 305-910-3996 or via this link. Guests will be welcome to tour the Museum’s preview exhibit which is housed at 2901 Ponce.  The Coral Gables Museum, a civic arts museum, is set to open in 2010 in the city’s original Police and Fire Station at 285 Aragon Avenue. For more information, visit the Museum website:  www.coralgablesmuseum.org.

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CORAL GABLES MUSEUM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER
RECEIVES CHAMBER MERRICK AWARD

Coral Gables Museum Board of Directors member, author and historian Arva Moore Parks won the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce inaugural George E. Merrick Award of Excellence Saturday evening at a ceremony at the Biltmore Hotel. Well know for her tireless community-wide work in preservation and historical research, Ms. Parks is the authoritative source when it comes to Gables’ history. She has dedicated and donated countless hours to the Museum project and acted as guest curator for the Museum’s “Celebrate” exhibit – a lovely historical timeline exhibit showcasing the early development of the City Beautiful which is housed in the City’s original Art and Architecture Center at 2901 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, now the Old Spanish Village Sales Gallery.

Ms. Parks was chosen from a field of ten finalists who, per the qualifications of the award sponsored by the Allen Morris Companies, exemplifies the spirit of Coral Gables’ founder and developer, George Merrick and works for the betterment of the cultural, historical and financial aspects of the community. The Coral Gables Museum Chairman George Kakouris was also one of the finalists.

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CORAL GABLES MUSEUM
RECEIVES FLORIDA HUMANITES COUNCIL GRANT
FOR ORAL HISTORY PROJECT

The Coral Gables Museum was recently awarded a grant by the Florida Humanities Council to continue the Oral History Project. The Museum project, which features video-taped interviews of longtime Gables’ residents is spear-headed by Museum Board members Arva Moore Parks and Susan Wills Amat.

The next Oral History Project interviews will be held on Saturday, August 9 and on Saturday, September 13 from 10:00am until 4:00pm at the Coral Gables Merrick House at 907 Coral Way. Students from the University of Miami’s School of Communications are providing production services. The interviews will be integrated into the Museum’s Coral Gables History exhibit and stored in the Museum’s archival library for research purposes.

The Florida Humanities Council is an independent, non-profit organization and is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Each year, FHC funds hundreds of public programs throughout the state that explore Florida's history, folklore, environment, literature, music, and art. The Coral Gables Museum was among numerous community organizations throughout the state to receive a grant that funds humanities programs.

If you have a Coral Gables story, memories or memorabilia to share, or can refer someone to be interviewed, please contact Christine Rupp, Director of Operations, Coral Gables Museum. She may be reached at 305-910-3996 or by clicking here. For more information about FHC grants, contact Susan Lockwood, Grants Director at (727) 873-2011 or email slockwood@flahum.org.

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CORAL GABLES MUSEUM RECEIVES SUPPORT
FROM GENERATIONS OF FIREFIGHTERS

The Coral Gables Museum, which will be housed in Coral Gables’ original Police and Fire Station, received a donation and a pledge of on-going support from a group of Coral Gables firefighters representing the Coral Gables Firefighters Benevolent Association, the Coral Gables Professional Firefighters Association and the South Florida Council of Fire Fighters Charities. Meeting at the 285 Aragon Avenue site, Museum Chairman George Kakouris accepted donations totaling $1500 from Batallion Commander Dan Thornhill, Secretary/Treasurer Coral Gables Professional Firefighters Association Local 1210.

The firefighters’ contributions, however, are not only monetary. On a recent tour of the old station, a group of retired firefighters, including Batallion Commander Dick Gossett, Bo Bennett, one of the first paramedics in the State of Florida; and Captain Charlie McGarey, spoke to the history of the building and its use as Fire Station #1 from 1939 to 1975, when the station was moved to its current location at 2815 Salzedo Street. “Call boxes used to be located at intersections and addresses came in on an old ticker-tape machine”, recalled Dick Bennett. “The system rang the bells throughout the station. The number of rings corresponded to the location in the city, and the bells would continue to ring in the station until the crew arrived at the scene of the call box, turned a key and disengaged the alarm”. Walking through the old station, the three fondly remembered the location of equipment, Chief Matheson’s office, the old kitchen and their duty to feed the prisoners at the jail. Firefighters were enlisted to feed federal prisoners housed at the jail during World War II and the tradition continued until the move to the new facility.

Gossett, and his son, Jim, also a Gables firefighter and current President of the Firefighters Benevolent Association, will assist the Museum in compiling memorabilia and gathering retired firefighters who worked out of old Station #1 for interviews about their memories as Gables firefighters. For information, contact Christine Rupp, Director of Operations at 305-910-3996 or by clicking here.

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