Join artist for Sep. 10th art opening at Pinecrest Gardens
CORTADA BRINGS ART TO MCKEE BOTANICAL
GARDEN
McKee Botanical Garden commissioned Xavier Cortada to create a series of colorful ceramic tile murals and sculptures that aim to evoke feelings of love, joy, and reverence as visitors walk through this historic Vero Beach garden. Cortada’s work invites people to embrace the transformative power of nature, connect with its inherent resilience, and reflect on the strength we each possess to foster a more sustainable society.
KEYNOTE TO AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTS URGES CLIMATE ACTION
In the closing Keynote speech of their annual conference on July 29th, Cortada addressed ASLA Florida landscape architects as the professionals who are uniquely positioned to oversee our changing landscape as it is transformed by rising seas, extreme heat, saltwater intrusion, invasive pests, and other human-caused climate impacts.
He discussed creative approaches that can help landscape architects meet this challenge so they do more than prepare spaces for the changes to come, but also convert them into places that invite visitors to be part of solutions.
CORTADA DRAWS CONNECTION BETWEEN HEALTH
& CLIMATE IN ADDRESS TO MEDICAL STUDENTS
On August 9th, UM Professor of Practice Xavier Cortada addressed the entire incoming class of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and challenged them to think of their role in society beyond medical school. As trusted leaders and change agents, he asked them to become doctors that not only focus on individual health, but planetary health as well.
CORTADA CONTINUES TRADITION BY GIFTING ART
TO INCOMING GLOBAL EXECUTIVE MBA STUDENTS
On August 23rd, University of Miami triple alumnus Xavier Cortada continued the annual tradition of welcoming incoming Global Executive MBA students (GEMBA) to the Miami Herbert Business School by presenting each of them with one of his signed art pieces of the “U.”
In his presentation at the Lowe Art Museum, Cortada challenged them to integrate themselves into the fabric of this future global city – exploring the myriad of challenges and opportunities it presents, so they may better learn how to innovate, lead.
NEW HAMPSHIRE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN
CORTADA'S "CONVERSATION WITH A FOREST"
During a recent trip to Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, where Cortada has served on the Committee of Scientists and as Artist-in-Residence for over a decade, the artist engaged local students in an intimate performance piece, “Conversation with a Forest.”
Cortada invited the learners to become immersed in the forest, see and hear the stories being told, and capture their unique observations through an interaction between a piece of paper and elements of the forest itself. Upon reflection, participants responded to the forest’s communication through writings, drawings, and poems.
CORTADA SCIENCE ART ACADEMY BEGINS
SEPTEMBER 7TH - REGISTER TODAY!
“I created this Science Art Academy because I believe in the power of young people to change the world,” said Cortada. “By growing leaders who value creativity, empathy, and science, I think we can create a ripple effect that positively impacts our planet for generations to come.”
The six-week after-school program at Pinecrest Gardens, open to students ages 9-12, runs Mondays and Thursdays from September 7 to October 13. Kids will be led through hands-on projects and outdoor adventures as they discover how to make an impact in their community and beyond.
RSVP FOR "KEEP FOSSILS UNDERGROUND"
OPENING RECEPTION ON SUNDAY, SEP. 10
Join Cortada for the opening reception of “Keep Fossils Underground“ at Pinecrest Gardens’ Hibiscus Gallery on Sunday, September 10th from 11:30am – 2pm, featuring 18 original paintings from his “EPOCH” series. This year, those works were wrapped around one of Miami-Dade County’s new electric buses, showcasing the fossils of prehistoric animals that remain safely underground when they aren’t burned as fossil fuels.