An exhibition presented by more than a dozen NWSA college students from the visual arts program, Breaking Boundaries, led by respected photographer and NWSA faculty member Maria Martinez-Ca�as, will feature approximately 50 works of art. The show was conceived as part of a "photography experimental class," said Martinez-Ca�as. "The show gives them an opportunity to experience all facets of putting together a show. At the same time, having an exhibition of the work produced in the class as a group emphasizes team work, peer support and trusting each other in critiques." The body of work will include collage, image transfers, photographic installations, sculptures, and beeswax among other experimental media.

"The class is a concentration on the fundamental ideas and techniques for altering the surface of photographic prints, the emphasis is on one-of-a-kind prints, mixed media, and nontraditional materials," continued Martinez-Ca�as. "The students in the class are introduced to photographic processes that bridge the gap between traditional photography and the aesthetics of painting and printmaking. It is about breaking the boundaries of the traditional photographic image. Trying to think 'outside the box' in regards to the unlimited possibilities of the medium. When one thinks of a photographic work, immediately the general public connects that it will be on paper of something they will recognize. But what happens if it is not?"

November 7 - December 16

Opening Reception: Thursday, November 7; 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

New World Gallery

25 NE 2 Street, Miami

Free and open to the public

Information at 305-237-3620

Rafael Domenech, a visual arts college junior from New World School of the Arts, will exhibit his body of work in an exhibition entitled Symplectic Structures. His first solo show in Miami, it explores the process of deconstruction in an effort to arrive at the foundation of once recognizable objects. Working on numerous pieces, the monochromatic exhibition - which has taken over six months to complete - is comprised of three sculptures and 20 works on paper. Using found objects such as wood, tape and fluorescent lighting, the composition is harmoniously created and curated in an attempt to draw the viewer into an abstract world where shapes and forms intertwine, while moving in and out of the space they occupy in a rhythmic pattern that is both, arbitrary and coherent.

"The show is a conceptual abstraction that is structural and experimental," explained Domenech, "My goal is to free familiar images from their constraining boundaries and dissect them into their very basic and simplistic form in order to unfold how objects behave in two and three-dimensional spaces. More importantly, I hope that by exploring the sensorial aspect of deconstruction I will be closer to uncovering my own identity as an artist."

November 8 - November 17

Opening Reception: Friday, November 8; 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

NWSA@Artseen Gallery

2215 NW 2 Avenue, Miami

Free and open to the public

New World School of the Arts welcomes the holidays with the Olivier-Award winning musical Once on this Island. Under the direction of Stuart Meltzer, this Caribbean-flavored one-act musical by Lynn Ahrens combines the magic of love stories and the art of storytelling to illustrate the ever-present socioeconomic realities of the Caribbean. Presented by NWSA high school seniors and juniors from the music theater program, this is "the first African-American focused high school production that we've done here in a while," said Meltzer. "It really gave us the opportunity to jump on something that has extraordinary material."  

In this exclusive interview with uVu, director Stuart Meltzer and three of the stars give us a sneek-peek about the upcoming musical. 

This Tony-award nominated Broadway production, akin to a somber The Little Mermaid, tells the story of Ti Moune (played by senior Ciara Harris), a peasant girl who rescues Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of her island, after a car accident. As Ti Moune saves his life and nurses Daniel back to health they fall in love and dream the impossible dream of a life together. When Daniel is returned to his people, the gods who rule the island lead Ti Moune on a quest that tests the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred and death.

December 6, 7, 13, 14; 7:30 PM

December 8, 15; 2:00 PM

Louise O. Gerrits Theater

25 NE 2 Street, 8th Floor, downtown Miami.

General admission is $15. Students and seniors $10

New World School of the Arts was one of the three schools toured by teachers attending the NDEO Conference this year. "Everyone who attended the tour went away with a respect of the high level of arts training in the school system," mentioned Daniel Lewis, former founding dean of dance at NWSA and Conference Chair. During the opening ceremonies at the Miami Sharing performance and Awards Myrna Palley, NWSA Foundation Board member and her husband Sheldon Palley, and Foundation Board member Dennis Edwards along with Mark Steinberg, received the Champion to the Arts Awards from the NDEO and FDEO organizations. "This is the first time NDEO and FDEO joined forces to present this award to people in our community who have made a difference in art, dance performance and dance education," said Lewis. On the same program, students from Florida, South Carolina and Michigan who were all Junior Honor Society for Dance Arts recipients of the Artistic Merit, Leadership and Academic Achievement Award performed for 500 dance educators from across the nation and around the world.  

NWSA College students performed in "Passing on the Legacy", a new work choreographed by Bill Evans. Concluding the program was an announcement by Nigel Lythgoe, the producer of So You Think You Can Dance, about a partnership with the Dizzy Feet Foundation and the National Dance Education Organization. In his talk Mr. Lythgoe singled out a NWSA dancer and her choreography as an example of the high standard for dance in America.

Alberto Carvalho, Evonne Alvarez, Dr. Jeffrey Hodgson

 

People, places, fonts and photography were the themes that garnered Angelica Baini and Sue Montoya a place among the 12 finalists chosen in Adobe's Moment to Shine competition. The selection from college, university and art students who have a passion for using Adobe products in creating their art, was based on originality, style, creative execution, creative process and relevance to students. Angelica and Sue, both college students in the NWSA visual arts division, submitted their work to Adobe via a portfolio link and were the only students from Miami, Florida, to place as finalists in this national competition.

NWSAALUMNI.NET BREAKS THROUGH THE CLUTTER

New World School of the Arts' newly formed Alumni Foundation, found its way into the pages of The Miami Herald highlighting the importance of philanthropy and engagement through relevant and meaningful initiatives. "The NWSA Alumni Foundation has come a long way with the support of a small group of dedicated alumni. We are looking forward to growing our numbers with the launch of our website at the beginning of 2014," said 1992 music theater alum Patrick O'Connell, NWSA Chair of the Foundation Board and Treasurer of the Alumni Foundation. 

THE VOICE RETURNS WITH LINA GAUDENZI

Lina Gaudenzi, a 2008 graduate from NWSA music theater, was one of two South Florida contestants to make it this season on NBC's The Voice - and she did so with her rendition of Landslide. In a recent interview with The Miami Herald, the Swiss singer talks about her experience and discloses what many fans don't know about her.

JANELLE GUEITS CHRONICLES HER JOURNEY TO CUBA

Janelle Gueits, NWSA 1998 dance alumna, was featured in Joe Cardona's essay where he chronicles Janelle's experience in Cuba four years ago, when she joined Colombian singer Juanes in his mega concert Peace Without Borders, held in the island.

VIVA BROADWAY BRINGS IT HOME TO STAY

Alex Lacamoire, Tony and Grammy Award-winning music director for In the Heights, turned all eyes to South Florida as he and a group of Miamians brought Viva Broadway to our community. The NWSA theater alum, alongside Broadway actor Andy Senor Jr., fellow alumna Nina Lafarga and other respected Broadway veterans, presented the high-profile kickoff event for the new District Stage Company in an effort to reconnect established artists to their home community. "They're seeing that we're working professionals and it's possible to come from Miami and build a career. ... It's creating community off the bat," Senor said.

THE STAR OF NCIS TALKS ABOUT FAMILY AND PRIVACY

Featured in this month's Latina Magazine and voted among America's top-10 most likable celebrities, Cote De Pablo, NWSA 1996 theater alumna, reveals how she has been able to stay grounded in spite of almost a decade in the limelight. She also talks about her trying beginnings in Miami's NWSA and the importance of family and friends.

"For a long time, I felt I was so different from anyone here. I hated it. I wanted to go back home," said the Chilean actress. "It wasn't until I found my tribe of artists-people who were outspoken and not afraid to say what they thought, whether in a song or a dance or a piece of classical music-that I found a refuge."