Online Newsroom

Welcome to the Online Newsroom of the Coral Gables Museum.

We have created this Museum online newsroom for you so that you can obtain detailed information, downloadable high- and low-res photos and logos for your media needs, and always be able to get in touch with someone who can speak for the Coral Gables Museum.  We hope you will sign on frequently, as we will be adding useful new items and news releases to the online newsroom. We welcome your comments and feedback.

July 27, 2009

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-910-3996.

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 305-910-3996.

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.

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February 9, 2009

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-910-3996.

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.  

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November 19, 2008

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-910-3996.

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 305-910-3996.

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 305-910-3996.

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.

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November 10, 2008

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-910-3996.

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.

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October 31, 2008

Contact: Christine Rupp at this link or 305-910-3996.

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.

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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 305-910-3996.       

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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