Edge Zones is an artist and volunteer – run contemporary arts non-profit dedicated to the research, conceptualization and execution of events that strengthen the contemporary art environment in Miami. EZ seeks to serve as a laboratory for creative exploration, and to offer a space where audiences can witness the creative process as it unfolds making contemporary art accessible, engaging and to create a focal point for international research and awareness. Edge Zones is committed to assist local artists from diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds in their creative production and disseminating their professional development in national and international forums by establishing a strong regional exchange network connected to the rest of the world.
Activities include exhibitions, curatorial projects, theoretical events, web site, editorial project and publications exchange, free access library and documentation centre, and artist archive. Our core program is a combination of events encompassing the full spectrum of contemporary art media: photography, installation, painting, performance art, soundscape, sculpture, video and publications. EZ's exhibition and performance of new work in all media is a lab for emerging curators.
Edge Zones is committed to being fully accessible and inclusive, and aims to provide a safe and welcoming space for learning and creative expression.
STAFF
Charo Oquet | Founding Director, Curator, Publisher
Gabriela Keddell | Creative Director, Administrator, Event Coordinator, Curator
David Marsh | Co-Curator
Our History
Edge Zones has been contributing to cultural life in Miami since 1996, when it began as the Miami Arts Collaborative focused on multicultural programs such as the Dominican Arts Series, the Miami Tierra Caliente, and Context/Contexto02. In 2003, EZ began producing events in The World Arts Building, with 50+ exhibitions per year featuring more than 180 artists each month. From 2008 - 11, EZ was located in a 4000 sq. ft. space with 2 large galleries exhibiting between 1- 10 artists in each month, with a total of 80-100 artists per year.
In 2013 EZ launched PerforMIA parallel to Art Basel Miami with more than 30 artists from Miami, the US, and the Caribbean to provide tourists with an alternative to art fair events during Art Basel Week. In 2012 EZ created the Miami Performance International Festival,which recently held its 10th edition as a digital event viewed by over 10,000 individuals during the Covid pandemic.
In 2016 Edge Zones moved into its new, permanent home in the historically Dominican Allapattah neighborhood, preserving the neighborhood’s historic identity while activating it with cultural programming. EZ festivals draw artists from across the country and around the globe for a convergence of contemporary art and performance. In addition to presenting programming in its new, permanent site, EZ also presents in different venues around Miami-Dade County and abroad.
EZ has published 4 large, full color 100-300-page catalogs of exhibited artists. EZ participation in national and international forums introduces Miami artists to the international arena, resulting in invitations to world-class events such as ARCO Madrid; parallel projects during Art Basel (Switzerland); Kunstnerne Hus (Oslo, Norway); Hemispheric Encounters (Chile); and The Real Periphery (Chile); Edge Zones’ participation in these events strengthens Miami as a world-class city for the arts. EZ's commitment to featuring artists of color is unmatched in the region.
Education
Our educational programs centers around our temporary exhibitions as a way to confront students with present and future. Edge Zones seeks to provide a space for artists to take risk in their work in order to encourage development while allowing the public to experience and come in contact with new visions offering multiple opportunities for teachers and students to be stimulated and inspired. Our inquiry-based exhibitions tours, outreach programs and professional development workshops for artists are designed to create a forum for ideas, critical thinking skills and dialogue.
Schools & Educators Program
Edge Zones generates and holds educational activities aim at promoting and developing artistic abilities as well as the understanding and the appreciation of art by all. Our youth volunteers gather in our galleries for informal meetings and discussion designed to provide an informal setting where teens can participate in a variety of up-to-the-moment events and dialogues. Edge Zones provides first solo shows to many college students. We encourage students and teacher collaboration pieces. Our artists are invited to give lectures on their work. We work closely with the universities, high schools and colleges students and the staff of to recruit young gifted artists. We include the work of physically and mentally handicapped youth in our regular exhibition programs.
Symposiums and Talks
Several times a year Edge Zones holds a series of seminars and talks by professional artists, curators and critics. These talks and seminars give artists and students the opportunity to meet in person and exchange ideas with internationally renown art professionals from all over the world.
Professional Development Workshops
New artist and art student workshops will be hosted in the upcoming months which focus on skills building, career, marketing/public relations, strategic and planning.
Sponsors
Edge Zones Project is made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. It is also sponsor by The Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami Beach Mayor ad Board of County Commissioners, sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The Miami Beach Cultural Affairs, Oolite Arts, The Perez Family Foundation, The Knight Foundation, The Miami Foundation. It is also supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).