Juan Francisco Elso's art, deeply rooted in the rich tradition of Afro-Cuban spiritual practices, serves as a poignant lens through which we can explore the relationship between faith, culture, and history. On February 2, join us as we unpack the multifaceted dimensions of diasporic spiritual practices, celebrating the resilience and creativity of communities that have carried their traditions across borders and through generations.

The evening will include a walk through of the exhibition and refreshments in our Paradise Courtyard from 6-7 p.m., followed by the Conversation in the MOCA Pavilion from, 7-8 p.m. RSVP today!

‍Admission:

‍$10 Adults, $5 for youth 12-17, students and seniors. Free for MOCA Members, City of North Miami Residents, and VIP passholders from partner art fairs. Please present your MOCA membership card or North Miami ID at the door the day of the event.

‍

Meet our panelists:

Alexandre Arrechea’s work com­­­prises large-scale installations, sculptures, watercolor drawings, and videos that debate such issues as history, memory, politics, and the power relations of the urban space. He is internationally renowned as one of the founding members of the Cuban collective, Los Carpinteros [The Carpenters], active between 1991 and 2003.

Carlos Estevez’s work is animated by a deep interest in questions of human spirituality. A recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters & Sculptors Grant, the Cintas Foundation Fellowship in Visual Arts, The Ellies Creator Award, and the Grand Prize in the First Salon of Contemporary Cuban Art in Havana, Carlos Estévez was born and raised in Cuba and moved to Miami in 2004, where he lives and works.

Moderator Eziaku Nwokocha is an Assistant Professor at the University of Miami. She is a scholar of Africana religions with expertise in the ethnographic study of Vodou in Haiti and the Haitian diaspora. Her research is grounded in gender and sexuality studies, visual and material culture and Africana Studies.

‍