As the Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Museum of Art and Design at Miami Dade College, Amy Galpin isn’t just part of the Miami art world — she’s a force within it. Since moving to South Florida seven years ago, Galpin has immersed herself in the local art scene. “Miami is a rare blend,” she explains. “It’s small enough to build genuine connections, but big enough to constantly discover fresh talent. I’m drawn to everything from photography to abstract painting, especially artists who merge contemporary themes with historical elements.” So, who’s at the top of her list? Meet GeoVanna Gonzalez, Amanda Linares, Roscoè B. Thické III, Lucia Morales, Glexis Novoa, and Alberto Checa. In a city teeming with creative energy, Galpin’s picks offer a glimpse into the rising stars who are redefining the pulse of Miami’s ever-evolving art scene.
BY ERIN MICHELLE NEWBERG
AMANA LINARES
Amanda Linares is an artist who invites you to slow down and savor the details. Working across disciplines- from photography and drawing to installation – her creations require time and contemplation to fully reveal their depth. Yet, it’s Linares’ thoughtfulness that shines through in every element. From the carefully chosen materials to her poetic texts, Linares masterfully fuses form with meaning.
This fall, Linares unveiled a striking large-scale installation at the Piero Atchugarry Gallery, offering a fresh glimpse into her evolving artistic journey. The project, curated by Laura Novoa – a longtime advocate of Linares’ work – Was a testament to their dynamic partnership. The result? A breathtaking, multi-layered experience that left its mark on the gallery and the audience alike. “It was one of those moments where art and surprise collided- and I’ve had more than a few of those this year in Miami,” Linares says with a smile.
ALBERTO CHECA
Alberto Checa’s latest artistic offering, fresh from his solo exhibition at Emerson Dorsch, is a masterclass in layered references, offering a dialogue between past works and a surprising nod to the iconic Celia Cruz. It was Jean Chung, the curator behind a two-person project at Laundromat Space, who first introduced audiences to Checa’s practice. In that show, and in other collaborative performances with fellow artist Diego Gabaldon, Checa delved into the complexities of masculinity, showcasing both artists’ ability to unpack multifaceted themes with finesse. At the heart of Checa’s installations is a profound meditation on labor-particularly the often-overlooked forces that fuel Miami. “Whose labor powers this city?” is a question central to his work. His DIY aesthetic is a reflection of the city’s immigrant spirit, heavily influenced by the Cuban diaspora, who have long been navigating spaces of scarcity. Through his thoughtful creations, Checa captures the raw ingenuity of a community accustomed to making much from little. The work stands as a testament to the city’s quiet laborers, those who build, create, and thrive with minimal resources, showcasing Miami’s vibrant creativity at its core.
GLEXIS NOVOA
“With an impressive array of accolades to his name, Novoa is an artist who never fails to captivate my attention,” says Galpin. Known for his visionary work that fuses the futuristic with the fantastical- drawing equally from his travels and boundless imagination-Novoa wrestles with concepts of time and truth in ways that leave an indelible mark. His presence in prominent museum group shows, from Madrid’s Museo Reina Sofia to New York’s Bronx Museum, only cements his status as one of the most forward-thinking minds in our cultural sphere. “I deeply admire his dedication to nurturing knowledge, supporting fellow artists, attending openings, and always offering incisive critiques,” Galpin adds. Novoa is currently engrossed in a groundbreaking research project in collaboration with the illustrious [NAME] Publications, Inc.
GEOVANNA GONZALEZ
“If you’re searching for incredible, thought-provoking artists, the best tip is always to ask other artists,” Galpin muses. Several years later, her intuition was right. “I’ve quietly watched GeoŠanna’s practice evolve since that recommendation, and it’s been nothing short of captivating.”
One project in particular, Gonzalez’s 2021 installation at Locust Projects, remains vivid in Galpin’s memory. “The environment she created, paired with the performance and film documentation, is seared into my mind,” she recalls. So when she discovered that curator Isabela Šillanueva had enlisted Gonzalez for a new project, Galpin was thrilled.
This Miami Art Week, art aficionados can experience Gonzalez’s latest work, Flowing Pathways, at the Third Street Entrance of Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus. With a show currently at MCA Denver and a forthcoming project at the Hammer Museum, Gonzalez’s career trajectory is unmistakably upward. Scholars have also taken notice – her work is featured in Nuyorican and Diasporican Šisual Art˜ A Critical Anthology, published by Duke ™niversity Press, where Teršz Iacovino analyzes her piece PLAY, LAY, AYE in a chapter that dives deep into diasporic art.
