Interfaith coalition MCCJ honorees named; large-scale murals made with help of robotic tech
Since 1946, MCCJ has honored leaders in the corporate, religious, and legal communities with the Silver Medallion for their “meaningful efforts to prevent hate and engage with people who are different, whether by religion, race, cultural background, or sexual orientation.”
South Florida’s 2023 Humanitarian Silver Medallion Honorees are Matt Gorson, Sr. Chairman of Greenberg Traurig; Ghislaine Gouraige, Partner at New Edge Wealth; Mohsin Jaffer and Fauzia Jaffer, Founders of the Mohsin & Fauzia Jaffer Center for Muslim World Studies at FIU and Miami Dade College; and Teresa Valdes-Fauli Weintraub, Managing Director with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.
The Clergy Medallion will go to Rabbi Robyn Fisher of Beth Or in South Miami.
All will be recognized at a dinner of business and community leaders May 7 at the InterContinental Miami. For sponsorships and tickets visit https://miamiccj.org/ or call 305-755-6096.
MCCJ, Inc. was originally founded in 1935 as the Miami Branch of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The group was later renamed the Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews. In recognition of its embrace of people of all faiths and secular backgrounds, the organization formally changed its name to MCCJ, Inc. in 2011.
It hosts the oldest interfaith clergy dialog in the country and presents prejudice-reducing programs in local high schools, among many other activities.
Mosaic murals use robotics
Miami is no stranger to buildings adorned with beautiful art. Mosaics that can cover entire walls fare incredibly well in our city of scorching sun, humidity, heat, and rain, sometimes all in one day.
South Florida artists and Artaic, an award-winning mosaic manufacturing and design company, have brought three installations of large-scale murals to our neighborhoods for all to see.
Michele Oka Doner’s interpretation of the creation of land and vegetation is called “The Third Day” and can be visited at Florida International University.
CJ Latimore’s “Block Party” can be seen in and around the Audrey M. Edmonson Transit Village and Sandrell Rivers Theater in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood.
And Robert McKnight’s “The Founders Wall” in Larcenia Bullard Plaza features three mosaics that capture the history of the Richmond Heights community.
Through Artaic’s robotic technology and software, artists can have their work, painted, mixed media or photography, transformed into mosaic form. The company’s mission is to help beautify public spaces and encourage artistic expression while making the mosaic medium more accessible.
Redland Garden Club hosts tour
Here’s your chance to go behind the gates when the South Dade Garden Club hosts its Redland Private Garden Tour at 10 a.m., April 22, starting at the Redland Fruit & Spice Park, 24801 SW 187 Ave.
Tickets are at www.Eventbrite.com through a search for “Redland Private Garden Tour” and are $35, $40 day of tour.
In 1924, several women in South Dade County decided to form a garden group to identify and discuss flowers, trees, birds, shrubs, and help each other fight insects. In 1926, it was organized into the South Dade Garden Club, and joined the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs.
The women in this group met with The Women’s Club of Homestead and first started their community service by backing Everglades National Park. According to current treasurer Linda Wood, the group also supported a bill to require fencing of livestock running wild in the state.
The club has beautified highways, participates in flower shows, supports Everglades National Park, plants trees for Arbor Day, has started butterfly gardens at schools and a nursing home, and supports Wekiva Youth Camp.
Recognizing a need for financial assistance for students with a desire to pursue careers in horticulture, agriculture and related fields, the club awards two college scholarships each year. The group meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Deering Estate.
Watercolor winners at Wirtz Gallery
The Miami Watercolor Society 2023 Spring Exhibition will continue through April 28 at The Wirtz Gallery located inside the First National Bank of South Miami, 5750 Sunset Dr.
One of the artists selected is Marjorie Hahn, executive and music director of the Gold Medal and Emmy Award-winning South Florida Youth Symphony. Her watercolor painting ‘Waiting for Lunch’ was one of only 39 selected for this prestigious show.
Hahn has been with the SFYS since its inception 58 years ago. The group was founded by her stepfather, Maestro Carmen Nappo, who died in 1970. She began conducting in 1972 and became executive director in 1995.
Bromeliad show is back
Be sure to visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 29 and 30, when the Bromeliad Society of South Florida hosts its 42nd show featuring hundreds of varieties of bromeliads. The event is back after a four-year pandemic hiatus.
The winning plants, judged by Bromeliad Society International judges, will be displayed on the Garden House stage along with their crystal prizes. Members will be available to answer questions on bromeliad care and there will also be a rare plant auction both days at 1 p.m.
Southwood Middle School students will present an art show of paintings and photographs of these interesting plants. Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Rd.
Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.
