LTC 252-2010 MBCC Gallery Ribbon Cuttingm MIAMIBEACH
OFfICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
No. LTC # 252-2010. LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission ~ ~, ''
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FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager ~``~ e~~
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DATE: September 24, 2010 v: :~ ~~:
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SUBJECT: Miami Beach Convention Center G ry Ribbon Cutting ~ '- ~
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I am pleased to announce a new collaboration between Global Spectrum and the- Bass
Museum of Art that has resulted in the creation of a gallery at the Miami Beach Convention
Center. This partnership with the Bass Museum allows the Convention Center to present a
unique selection. of works from the museum's permanent collection. Anew exhibition of
. works by Purvis Young is the first exhibit in the new gallery space.
Purvis Young was aself-taught Urban Expressionist and is regarded as one of Miami's most
beloved and celebrated .art figures. Born in Liberty City on February 4, 1943, Young
collected salvaged wood to, make outdoor displays of his paintings until his death on April
20, 2010. Over the years developed a repertoire of familiar themes, including scenes of
racial injustice,. dancing figures,. pregnant women, cars and trucks on the busy I-95 highway,
children playing and police on horseback. The Purvis Young pieces were donated to the
Bass Museum and are now part of the permanent collection.
One of Global Spectrum's main focuses as operators of the Convention Center is to create a.
sense of community for the facility. As you know, the City and Global Spectrum host three
Senior Dances annually, and the creation of a public gallery is another initiative to help,
achieve that goal. The gallery is located on the west atrium on the second floor between
Halls C and D. .
Aribbon-cutting unveiling the exhibit will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center's 2nd
floor west atrium on Thursday, October 7'h at 5:30pm. We hope you can join us.
C: Hilda Fernandez, Assistant City Manager
Max Sklar, Tourism and Cultural Development Director
JMG/H /MAS