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Tonight in the Design District the usual and usually hip Thursday night cocktails will be taking place at Domo Japones. However, this Thursday the party is slightly more bitter than sweet as many gather to wish Nina Arias Good Luck as she departs Miami.

Photo courtesy of Nina Arias. Click photo see more of Nina’s photographs from Colombia.

Provocateur Debriefed is where Miami Provocateurs answer questions and fill us in on some of their thoughts on living in Miami. Nina Arias is the second in the series.

Nina Arias is a staple of Miami’s art scene. She grew up in Miami and is an artist, curator, and arts advocate. She co-founded and co-directs ICAS Independant Cultural Access Society, curated The Expanded Painting Show with Paco Barragan during Art Basel Miami Beach 2007, and has worked with some of the top art galleries in South Florida including Kevin Bruk, Rocket Projects, and La Lush Gallery. This past December many of us found out about her work with Sueños Sin Fronteras, an international non-profit organization which provides art supplies and workshops to children in Colombian orphanages. Nina’s work has always focused on expanding the impact of art first in Miami and now in Colombia. Nina took some time to answer a few questions about her new project, let us in on a new soundtrack, and tell us her favorite place for lunch:

Tell me about your project?

• In response to Colombia’s continuous battle with abandoned children, I felt driven to bring some positive light to these children’s lives through art by launching an art studio at one of Bogotá’s oldest Orphanages. It was natural for me to bring this project to my hometown of Bogotá, Colombia, and to an orphanage called “Albergue Infantil de Bogotá” which was founded by my aunt Yolanda Pulecio, 50 years ago. The first part of this project was to launch the framework of an art studio space where the kids can have a place to paint, draw, sculpt and make arts and crafts. The studio space will be located a block from the orphanage at one of the houses the orphanage owns. The rest of the project will continue to develop throughout this year as I implement an art program that will accompany the art studio. This art program will include weekly art classes, field trips to museums, monthly workshops with invited Colombian emerging contemporary artists, and a mural project to beautify the poor neighborhoods surrounding the orphanage and downtown Bogotá area.

Where can people donate more supplies?

• I’ll be organizing another art supply drive at the end of spring / early summer, so people can either hold on to their their donated art supplies until then or they can arrange to drop them off to me by emailing me at arias.nina@gmail.com
• Just before the Christmas holidays I held an “Art Supply Drive” at Dorsch Gallery & Sweat Records that was a wonderful success. With dozens of art patrons and artists from the local community coming out and showing their support for this project. I was able to collect over 2,000 items of art supplies to bring to Colombia for the kids. Special support was made possible by these talented and heart filled artists and friends: Hernan Bas, Dave Lebo, Diego Singh, Bhakti Baxter, Ralph Provisero, Francesco & Vanessa Locastro, Scott Murray, Lolo Reskin, Jacin Jimenez, Brook Dorsch, Rochenne Kogan, Giancarlo Sardone, Carolina Garcia, Eduardo Martinez and many more. I am so ever grateful for their generosity!
  

How else can people get involved?

• As Creative Art Programs Director for “ Sueños Sin Fronteras” (a non-profit organization based in Miami that dedicates its efforts to helping orphanages in Colombia) I am also suggesting that people can make a donation directly to this organization, that will reach the children of the orphanage and this particular project. All donations are tax deductible, and if anyone is interested in donating, they can reach me at arias.nina@gmail.com, or by calling me at 786-543-5150. Also I am always looking for volunteers to work in Bogotá, especially artists that would like to come visit the kids and do a workshop with them or accompany them on the future art field trips

Bogotá, like many world capitals has some great political and beautiful graffiti/street art. Are you collaborating with these artists?

• Yes, indeed. I will be working with some of these artists when I start to develop the Mural Project to beautify the poor neighborhoods. In the meantime I am currently working with Bogotá based emerging artist Venuz White who is a talented painter and performance artist who will be the first artist invited to do a painting workshop with the kids. The first workshop will take place sometime in April or May.

If you were advising friends traveling to Bogotá what are the five must see/must go places?

• Bogotá is a phenomenal metropolis of a city, and has such a tremendous amount of culture to offer. I could tell you of over 100 places to visit but here are my top five:

• Museo del Oro. which contains a permanent collection of sacred metal objects from the indigenous cultures, together with other archaeological objects in ceramics, stone, shell, metal and textiles, evidence of the life and line of thought of different societies living in Colombia, before there was contact with Europe. Their collection holds over 34,000 Pre-Columbian gold items.
• Monserrate Mountain. I love to go to Monserrate, when I visit Colombia. You can either go up the mountain on cable cars or take a challenging hike up the mountain. Either way the view is phenomenal. The sweeping views of the city from the top are beyond spectacular - truly breathtaking. Once you reach the top of the mountain you can admire the wonderful architecture of the old church or dine in the famous historic restaurant San Isidro.
• Andres Carne de Res Restaurant. This is the most famous and fabulous restaurant located just on the outskirts of Bogotá. This is definitely a must go to place! Wonderfully bohemian and rustic in its décor -it has thousands of trinkets, art, and knick knacks hanging from every square inch of the place, which makes for the most amazing vibe and atmosphere. When you come, be prepared to dine and drink for hours and hours and then you’ll probably end up dancing on the tables. The menu is incredible and about 20 pages long. They are known for their delicious grilled meats and typical Colombian Food. it is, simply, a multi-sensory eating and drinking experience in an exotic location. It will blow your mind and surely an experience you will never forget it.
• La Candelaria Neighborhood. This historic neighborhood in located downtown Bogotá. It is the equivalent to the Old City in other cities. The architecture of the old houses, churches and buildings has Spanish Colonial and Baroque styles, and are painted many vibrant colors. It houses several universities, libraries and museums. All the streets and alleys are Cobble stone narrow roads and the streets all have eclectic and charming names. By far this is my favorite neighborhood in all of Bogotá!
• Flea Market in Usaquen. Every Sunday the neighborhood of Usaquen which is located in the Colonial area of Bogotá, closes its streets for the Weekly Outdoor Flea Market & Green Market. I love coming here because I can find anything from pre-Columbian jewelry, natural herbal teas, fabulous hand knitted scarves and hats, leather goods, and fresh organic fruits and vegetables. The perfect place to hunt for all sorts of antiques, and handicraft items made by local artisans. Usaquen is also the home of the stunning historic Santa Barbara Church built in 1665, which very beautiful and located in the heart of this neighborhood, surrounded by charming restaurants and cafes.

What’s the biggest misconception about Colombia?

• To the average person Colombia is mostly known for its kidnapping and coca fields, but Colombia is an incredibly beautiful and rich country to explore. Colombia is rich in natural resources, farmers grow world-renowned coffee on the Andean slopes, and the country prides itself in being one of the top countries to export much of the worlds emeralds, gold, silver, copper & amazing flowers. Colombia has outstanding people in all kinds of fields: writers, scientists, artists, athletes, industrialists, entrepreneurs. Colombians are happy, humble, family oriented, hard working people, that know how to celebrate life. In short, Colombia is a fusion of shabby and chic, colorful towns, Caribbean and Pacific coasts, Andean valleys, Amazonian jungle, wide plains, and fun loving people. It is is a gem of a destination that is now beginning to be explored by modern travelers as it slowly struggles to shed its harsh reputation to reveal its unique beauty.

What’s been your biggest surprise/epiphany about working with kids on this project?

• These kids have had it pretty rough, not only being abandoned, but also abused and having to end up living on the streets doing drugs to avoid hunger. So what surprised me the most was the open minds that they have, the willingness to new things, and how grateful they are for any kind of attention and help they receive. They were thrilled with the news of a new art studio coming and excited that they will get to experiment with materials like paints, and clay of which they have never used or played with before.
  

How has this project changed/sharpened your thoughts on art?

• I’ve always know that art can heal, but this project really made me understand the importance of exposing art to children at an early age, especially underprivileged children. The power of art can help these children deal with their difficult times, and show them a new way to express their thoughts and feelings. With the help of Miami’s art community I hope to be able to provide the necessary tools and resources to benefit these brave children of Colombia.

Do you know what your next project will be?

• I’ll be working on this project with the orphanage throughout the rest of this year, so for now this will keep me pretty busy, and traveling often to Bogota.I can tell you about a great new cause I just joined called “ A Million Voices against FARC”. This is a cause beyond all political interests. It’s a humanitarian cause, for a NEW PEACE in Colombia, with No More Revolutionary Terrorist Groups. A worldwide Protest and Walk will take place on Monday Feb 4th at 12 noon (Colombian Time) in every major City in the world. Including Miami! A protest For PEACE, sending a message to the FARC. (The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) to release over 750 kidnapped people they have kept captive for almost a decade, (one being my cousin Ingrid Betancourt who was kidnapped by the FARC 6 years ago) and to STOP once and for all their terrorist ways. Kidnapping is a violent act against human dignity, and FARC continue to not only kidnap, but also lie and murder while they keep growing their drug production and drug trafficking business, perpetrating all kinds of crimes and terrorist attacks against people, bringing poverty and misery to Colombia, which has suffered this plague and humanitarian tragedy for more than forty years!For more info on this Cause go to http:/www.colombiasoyyo.org/english.html
• For a list of hundreds of cities and locations worldwide participating in this Protest go to:
• http://www.colombiasoyyo.org/puntos.html
• You Tube Invitation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ot11L9jFBI
• Miami Location: The meeting Point in Miami will be in front of The Colombian Embassy,
  • 280 Aragon Ave, Coral gables from 10 am – 12 noon, for more info email:
  • nomasfarcmiami@gmail.com

If you had to create a soundtrack for this experience what songs/artists would be on it?

• How fun, I love soundtracks!! Music is everything to me and I do believe my entire life has a soundtrack, and so did this amazing trip.
  

• • Still Missing by Beck & Royksopp
  • Santa Maria de la Feira by Devendra Banhart
  • Killing for Love by Jose Gonzalez
  • Tin Man by America
  • Human Nature by Michael Jackson
  • Lovely Day by Bill Withers
  • No le Pegue a la Negra by Joe Arroyo
  • Higher Love by Steve Winwood

You grew up in Miami, what is your favorite part of growing up here?

• Bike riding to school every morning, filling up my bike basket with mangoes from neighborhood trees on my way home from school, and building tree houses with my dad.

Tell me a spot in Miami you think people should go out there and discover/support?

• Upper East Side Garden on Biscayne and 72nd Street, where local artists have designed a mini golf course

Any Miamism that you love, bro?

• “Estoy Muerta” when Im tired or overworked
• * Please note while working on this interview Nina called herself a “keyrat” perhaps one of the truest Miamisms

What is your quintessential Miami spot for lunch? Happy hour?

• Enriquetta’s in Wynwood for pan con bistek and café con leche. (No Happy Hour, I don’t drink much)

Describe Miami in 3 words.

• Easy, Breezy, Beautiful

Tonight Friday, December 21rst there is an art supply drive from 8 p.m.- midnight at Sweat Records, 5505 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33137. Suenos sin Fronteras is a non-profit organization focused on enhancing the lives of children in Bogota, Colombia’s orphanages. They will be collecting new and used art supplies to develop art programs at orphanages in Bogota. Nina Arias, a local independent curator is spearheading the campaign. Nina, provided additional information on the project:

“I’ll be leaving for Colombia, and I’ll be developing an entire art program for the orphanage, bringing all the art supplies I collect here, and setting up art studios, workshops, art filed trips, and mural projects with the kids to beautify poor neighborhoods around Bogota. “

New and used art supplies are welcome, so stop by your favorite art supply spot or donate those art supplies you have at home. This is a really simple way to make a positive change in someone’s life. It’s wonderful to attend art fairs and gallery walks but sometimes supporting the arts means supporting their inception and initial development in order to enhance others’ lives.

Along the same lines of the relevancy of supporting the arts and the strong need for art in all communities there is a new site Part of It. This site allows one to purchase totes and t-shirts that support various charities.