Three Artists. Three Perspectives. One Unforgettable Season. - Hollywood Art And Culture Center Presents Its Fall 2026 Exhibition Season

Kristen Thiele’s oil paintings capture moments in time and bring the viewer to the era of Hollywood’s Golden Age of Cinema. The women dressed in opulent gowns and feathers are more than mere entertainers to be admired. Thiele's works invite us to think about the lives of each of the characters she paints. The work is commanding in subject and in Thiele’s ability to emulate the emotions of silent tension, the desire for beauty, and exhilaration of performing with Hopper-esque qualities.

Harumi Abe is known for her vibrant paintings that merge the landscapes of her native Japan and the ecosystems of her adopted home of South Florida. In Whispers from the Land, Abe introduces the figure into her work with wondrous interpretations of prehistoric Japanese clay artifacts or dogu. These mythical beings act as guardians of the environment with their flower-like features and exaggerated plant and insect qualities. The exhibition also features more than twenty of these figurines sculpted from earthenware and glaze. With a fusion of myth, ecology, paint, and clay, Abe creates a visual language that is spiritual, joyful, and meaningful.

The unique sculptures and paintings of Cari Cohen are rooted in architecture and design. Bright bold colors combined with bold geometric or organic shapes are transformed into imaginary cities. Utilizing industrial materials such as concrete, plexiglass, acrylic, and paint, Cohen creates distinct three-dimensional works that blur the boundaries of reality and memory.

"Together, these exhibitions transform the galleries into spaces for reflection, discovery, and dialogue, reinforcing the Hollywood Art and Culture Center's commitment to presenting thought-provoking contemporary art that connects South Florida audiences with artists of national and international significance."

-Jodi Sypher, Exhibition Curator

"This season brings together three remarkable artists whose work invites us to slow down, look closer, and reflect on the ways we experience the world around us. From Harumi Abe's meditations on nature and memory, to Cari Cohen's architectural explorations of place, to Kristen Thiele's captivating examinations of identity and performance, these exhibitions celebrate the power of contemporary art to inspire conversation, curiosity, and connection. We are proud to share these extraordinary voices with our community as we continue our mission of making art accessible, engaging, and relevant for all."

-Jennifer Homan, Executive Director of the Hollywood Art and Culture Center.

Sirens and Showgirls: Kristen Thiele

In Sirens and Showgirls, Kristen Thiele presents 21 large-scale oil paintings exploring performance, beauty, spectacle, and identity. Drawing inspiration from films, vintage photographs, and found ephemera, her richly layered works examine themes of escapism, anonymity, and the passage of time.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Thiele earned her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her MFA from Miami International University. She is Co-Director of Bridge Red Studios/Project Space in North Miami, where she continues to exhibit and support contemporary artists throughout South Florida.

Whispers from the Land: Harumi Abe

Japanese-born artist Harumi Abe merges large-scale landscape painting, ancient Japanese mythology, with sculptures made of earthenware and glaze. By reimagining prehistoric Japanese dogu, figures as goddess-like guardians who rise from the land in response to ecological crisis, Abe creates an immersive, experimental space where ancient wisdom meets urgent environmental questions.

A recipient of multiple South Florida Cultural Consortium Grants and the Sustainable Arts Foundation Award, Abe has exhibited widely throughout the United States. She holds an MFA from Florida International University and lives and works in Hollywood, Florida.

Reflections: Cari Cohen

Exploring the evolving relationship between place, perception, and memory, Reflections features sculptural works that merge organic curves with angular architectural forms. Using concrete, mirrored surfaces, plexiglass, and color, Cari Cohen creates imagined environments where solidity meets transparency, blurring the boundaries between reality, memory, and perception. The work becomes a reflection of spatial memory—part city, part reflection, part reconstruction.

Originally from Argentina, Cohen earned her degree in Architecture from the University of Buenos Aires before pursuing a career as a visual artist. Her work has been exhibited extensively throughout the United States and is included in numerous private and corporate collections. She lives and works in South Florida.

Experience Contemporary Art This Fall

The Hollywood Art and Culture Center invites the public to celebrate the opening of these three remarkable exhibitions during a free reception on Thursday, September 17th, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists, explore the galleries, and enjoy an evening celebrating contemporary art and creative dialogue.

The exhibitions remain on view through Sunday, January 17th, 2027.

About the Hollywood Art and Culture Center

For more than 50 years, the Hollywood Art and Culture Center has served as one of South Florida's leading multidisciplinary arts organizations. Located in the heart of Downtown Hollywood, the Center inspires creativity, fosters meaningful community connections, and enriches lives through contemporary visual art exhibitions, performing arts, independent film, arts education, and innovative public programming. The Center welcomes visitors of all ages to experience exhibitions and events that celebrate diverse artistic voices and encourage lifelong engagement with the arts.

Visitor Information

Hollywood Art and Culture Center

1650 Harrison Street

Hollywood, Florida 33020

Gallery Hours

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: By Appointment

Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Thursday: 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Admission

Adults: $10

Seniors & Students: $5

Free for Members, Teachers, Military, and Children under: 12

For more information, visit: www.CenterHollywood.org. Or call: (954) 921-3274.