National Art Honor Society Visits PAMM

There’s no doubt about it: the Miami art scene should be extremely proud of the Perez Art Museum Miami. On a beautiful Friday morning, Mr. Regan and the NAHS took a field trip to experience the PAMM firsthand with a special talk from exhibiting artist Edouard Duval-Carrié.

What is important about Duval-Carrié is how he embodies the best about what Miami artists can be. His art is steeped in Hatian culture, he is involved in the local scene, and to those who think that academic knowledge has nothing to do with art, he is highly informed on the historical connotations of his work. For instance, for those juniors taking U.S. History, his reference to the Monroe Doctrine should sound familiar, or perhaps they should recognize the Hudson Valley painters from sophomore year art history. Duval-Carrié emphasized the importance of this knowledge to us students as an integral element of supporting one’s work in today’s art world. He also spoke of considering one’s present context, such as when he formatted the proportions of his work to the specific room where they would be exhibited. Overall, it was extremely insightful for NAHS members to come in contact with a working artist who is so deliberate in the production of his work.

Humans of DASH: Sarah Moody

 

DD: Tell us about your relationship with DASH, how long you’ve been part of the school community, and what work you are involved with beyond the school.

SM: I joined the DASH community in 2004 when I was accepted into the Graphics program in 11^th grade. I was previously attending Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Coconut Grove and could not keep myself out of the art studio and darkroom. I graduated in 2006 having learned an extensive amount about myself and my art practice. I am now a proud member (and the youngest!) of the DASH Advisory Board.

I started a company with some friends called Create Collect this past Art Basel. We are an art collective and online platform for the artists to sell their work. I am based out of Little Haiti, curating the website, events and pop-up exhibitions, creating content and recruiting artists. In addition, I freelance in both graphic design (hats off to Ms. Brooks!) and photography for companies and individuals in Miami.

DD: DASH benefits so much from the support of our PTSA, Advisory Board, Alumni Association, Internship mentors and Design District neighbors. What would you say makes DASH’s relationship with its community so special?

SM: DASH gives its students the confidence to feel as though they can achieve anything as well as giving them the tools to do so. The community around it responds because it recognizes that these kids are its future.

DD: Many different kinds of people from many walks of life make up our school. How would you describe the uniqueness of your own family? What are your family’s thoughts or feelings about your involvement with DASH?

SM: I’ve always felt unique in Miami because my family is British American. In a city where Spanish is often the first language, I’ve been very aware of my background. My family supports me and my passion to be an artist wholly which is why my parents encouraged me to apply to DASH so late in high school—they believed in me, my skill and my passion to succeed. For this, I am eternally grateful. DASH has impacted my life in so many ways since graduating—I continue to connect to the growing community of alumni both in Miami and around the world. I am inspired constantly by my peers and aim to collaborate with as many of them throughout my career.

DD: We’ve come a long way since DASH opened back in 1990. What growth have you witnessed in your history with DASH? How would you envision DASH ten years from now? Where do you see yourself 10 years down the road?

SM: DASH has grown since I attended the school in many ways—popularity, neighborhood, exposure, achievement. I remember the year I graduated was a record breaking scholarship year, over $5 million was given to our class… I know this has just escalated since. I envision more alum getting involved with DASH in the coming years and the community and students collaborating in a different capacity then now. Wouldn’t it be great if DASH’s graduates helped to advance the school?

In 10 years, I see myself working in a creative space where creators practice, share and collaborate on a daily basis. I also see myself as an art therapist and teacher. Maybe at DASH!

DD: Please share something unusual about yourself. What are your hidden talents, extraordinary accomplishments, big-dream ambitions, or upcoming adventures?

SM: I still shoot film and print my images in the darkroom! I am completely connected and curious about the photographic process and older techniques. The art is not lost!

Since launching Create Collect in December, I have assisted in curating and producing two pop-up exhibitions and amazing response in Miami. We’re constantly producing new content and finding new artists to join our community… including two DASH alumni! (More to come!) My dream is to create a scholarship program to showcase and promote graduating DASH seniors.

And lastly, my long-term dream and goal is to be surrounded by passionate, creative individuals with the desire to collaborate and succeed together in a space that I have brought to life.

Check out www.createcollect.com for some of my recent works for sale and feel free to get in touch for a studio visit by emailing sarah@createcollect.com

Let’s Talk About Pre-College

Now is the time to mobilize our resources, gather our thoughts, beg for recommendations and….. Apply to pre-college! Anyone who has spent more than a few minutes at our school knows that DASH loves pre-college. We love talking about it, going to it, and best of all getting results out of it. That’s why this Wednesday, seniors who have had the experience and lived to tell the tale will have a presentation for the juniors about their time away. Eager to start thinking about your summer experience? Below is the CAP office’s fantastic list of everything you need to know about the “when?”, “where?”, and “what deadline?” of pre-college.
PreCollegeCOSTS20131

Agustina Woodgate speaks to DASH seniors

Last Friday, Miami-based artist Agustina Woodgate spoke to DASH seniors as part of the internship day program. At its most basic, her presentation was a survey of her recent work, but on a larger scale Agustina spoke to the seniors about something fundamental– the importance of collaboration. To us students competing in the fast race to college admissions, art often seems like an individual plight for survival. We conceive, execute and present our work in a solitary manner, then ogle at the sketchbooks of others and wonder what mysteries led them to those forms. Ultimately, our work is critiqued individually, and its triumphs and shortcomings rest on the artist’s shoulder exclusively. That is the way of the DASH artist.

What Agustina reminded us, however, was of the way in which collaboration can sprout a life of its own. She talked about how once she conceives of an idea, she knows

that from that moment on other people and other circumstances will shape the work’s path to execution. One example was in her proposal to extend her hopscotch project in Miami Beach to cover the sidewalks on an entire neighborhood in Buenos Aires. To do this, she will enlist dozens of local schools whose students will paint a segment of the hopscotch onto the sidewalk and report back the last number completed. This, she says, gives the project an entirely new dimension by taking it out of her own realm and allowing other people to become part of this entity greater than themselves.

Perhaps the greatest message of Agustina’s is that by asking for help, the artist is not forfeiting any part of his or her work. On the contrary, branching out brings new viewpoints and ideas –like that of the fashion student who taught Agustina a new way to sew– which the artist would not otherwise have accessed. What does that mean for us students? It is true that our individual portfolios are still the norm for presenting our work, but maybe it is time to try something different. Maybe it is time to take advantage of enormous think tank of talent that surrounds us and make something together.