A Busy July at MOCA: The Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami Has Something For Everyone

“Lonnie Holley: If You Really Knew” provides an intimate and focused look at the career of Birmingham, Alabama-born artist and musician Lonnie Holley. The exhibition, curated by MOCA curator Adeze Wilford, features 70 works including foundational “sandstone” sculptures, new works on paper and large-scale quilt paintings that depict faces. Known for his unique style of art that draws inspiration from his life experiences, Holley often incorporates found objects and everyday materials, which he transforms into thought-provoking art. Holley’s influence on Southern art is highlighted throughout “If You Only Knew,” including a section he curated featuring works from artists such as Miami native Purvis Young, Thornton Dial, Mary T. Smith and Hawkins Bowling.

The “South Florida Cultural Consortium” (SFCC) exhibition brings together 12 artists working across various media including, sculpture, film and site-specific installations. The exhibition, this year hosted and organized by MOCA, provides a snapshot of the breadth and depth of the artistic talent in the South Florida art scene.

On view outside the museum through late August is MOCA’s most recent “Art on the Plaza” commission, LIZN'BOW (Liz Ferrer and Bow Ty)'s “El Mundo Es Mágico.” The sculpture, “El Mundo Es Mágico,”features displaced queer characters in a mix of reality and fantasy within Miami iconography, inviting conversations of fluidity, gender, class and identity. Central to the duo’s work is the feminist reimagining of each element towards a more inclusive, fantastical worldview.

MOCA’s July programming includes:

MOCA Tours | Saturdays in July – 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
MOCA North Miami invites guests to a public tour of its exhibitions, “Lonnie Holley: If You Really Knew” and “South Florida Cultural Consortium” (SFCC). The tour will be led by MOCA Exhibition Specialist Lauren Baccus. For more information, please visit: https://mocanomi.org/2022/02/tours-at-moca/

MOCA miniMakers: Soap Carving Inspired by the Art of Lonnie Holley | Saturday, July 1, 2–4 p.m.
MOCA is hosting a special workshop inspired by featured artist Lonnie Holley. Participants will carve their own unique shapes and patterns with this take-home soap carving project. MOCA miniMakers is MOCA’s free and inclusive series of art workshops for children ages six and up. Children have access to a variety of art techniques, as well as an inclusive curriculum incorporating step-by-step guides, STEAM activation and creative free play. Taught by experienced artists and sponsored by the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency, MOCAminiMakers aims to foster an accessible spirit of learning through the arts. For more information, please visit:https://111401.blackbaudhosting.com/111401/MOCA-miniMakers-01Jul2023

Sunday Stories: Independence Day Celebration | Sunday, July 2, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join MOCA as it celebrates Independence Day with a fun family art workshop. Participants will learn about the history of American Independence and make their own 4th of July-themed decorations inspired by the book, “Apple Pie 4th of July,” by Janet S. Wong. Sponsored by the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency, this early childhood art series engages toddlers and fosters reading, motor skill development and socialization. MOCA Sunday Stories is a great way for children to bond with their parents or guardians as they create together. For more information, please visit: https://111401.blackbaudhosting.com/111401/MOCA-Sunday-Stories-02Jul2023

MOCA Makers: Printmaking Silhouetted Exquisite Corpse with Artist Vinicius de Oliveria | Saturday, July 8, 1–3 p.m.
Participants will discover the captivating world of Lonnie Holley's exhibition, “If You Really Knew,” and unleash their artistic spirit in MOCA’s printmaking class. Inspired by Holley's whimsical and dynamic forms, this workshop delves into the abstract representation of the human body, combining it with inanimate objects or exploring otherworldly qualities. Artists will create separate pieces and collaborate on an “Exquisite Corpse” print. For more information, please visit: https://111401.blackbaudhosting.com/111401/MOCA-Makers-08Jul2023

Art on the Plaza Special Performance: Capitulos de Niña 2.0 | Friday, July 21, 7–9 p.m.
To celebrate MOCA’s current “Art on the Plaza” commission, LIZN'BOW (Liz Ferrer and Bow Ty)'s “El Mundo Es Mágico,” the museum will host an exciting performance on MOCA’s Plaza, “Capitulos de Niña 2.0.” This unique bilingual soap opera weaves together music, performance art and interactive theater while navigating the intersections of femme, queer and Latine identities while drawing inspiration from both Latin and American pop culture. The performance incorporates mini-telenovelas and live performances in Spanish and English, with a soundtrack of original reggaeton songs from the live band, Niña, which features the charismatic duo, Liz Ferrer and Bow Ty. Adding to the excitement are some of Miami’s finest talents and Puerto Rican artist duo Poncili Creacion. “Capitulos de Niñas 2.0,” challenges stereotypes and traditional norms, promoting understanding, acceptance and enjoyment for all. RSVP: https://111401.blackbaudhosting.com/111401/Art-on-the-Plaza-Special-Performance-Capitulos-de-Ninas-20

Jazz at MOCA: featuring Lisanne Lyons | Friday, July 28, (Seating Starts at 7 p.m., Concert Starts at 8 p.m.)
Join MOCA for an unforgettable evening of Jazz at MOCA, featuring the incredible talent of Lisanne Lyons, a multifaceted jazz vocalist, pianist, guitarist, arranger, composer and conductor. Lyons began her career as a featured performer in multiple Air Force bands, captivating audiences across the United States and Canada. She has been recognized with DownBeat “Dee Bee” awards for her exceptional jazz vocal solos and arrangements and had the honor of performing alongside Joel Grey on the NBC televised Orange Bowl halftime show. Lyons has shared the stage with renowned big bands such as the Woody Herman Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau and Arturo Sandoval. Her captivating performances have also graced the presence of esteemed orchestras, including the Roanoke Symphony, Palm Beach Pops Symphony and Fort Worth Symphony.

Jazz at MOCA is free and open to the public. The gallery is open from 7-10 p.m. with museum admission. Admission to the museum is $10. Admission for students, seniors, and visitors identifying as disabled is $5. Admission is free for MOCAmembers, children under 12, North Miami residents, city employees, veterans, and caregivers accompanying people who are disabled. For more information, please visit: https://111401.blackbaudhosting.com/111401/Jazz-at-MOCA-Featuring-Lisanne-Lyons

About the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami
MOCA North Miami presents contemporary art and its historical influences through exhibitions, educational programs, and collections. Inspired by its surrounding communities, MOCA connects diverse audiences and cultures by providing a welcoming place to encounter new ideas and voices and nurturing a lifelong love of the arts. MOCA developed from the Center of Contemporary Art which was inaugurated in 1981. The establishment of the permanent collection coincided with the institution’s move into their current building designed by Charles Gwathmey of GSNY in 1996.

The Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA) is located at: 770 NE 125th Street Miami, FL 33161, for hours and directions visit: www.mocanomi.org