News Release Header
For Immediate Release:
July 17, 2013
Media Contact:
Cathy Guerra
[email protected]
305-235-1668

The Deering Estate at Cutler Welcomes Their 2013-2014 Artists in Residence


The Deering Estate at Cutler seeks to continue Charles Deering's legacy of art patronage by supporting emerging and mid-career artists who work in a multitude of disciplines and media. The prestigious and competitive Artist in Residence Program is a direct extension of this legacy and acts as wonderful incubator for creative ideas, unique experiences, and collaborative opportunities that engage the public.

We are pleased to announce the recipients of this year's residency opportunities. Studio Residencies are housed in our Artist Village Buildings - the Carriage House and the Power House and were awarded to Visual Artists Gerry Stecca, Natalya Laskis, Robert Sparrow Jones, and Literary Artist Mia Leonin. Project Residencies consist of specific interactions with the Estate and its resources and one was awarded to Visual Artist Michael Gellatly.

A special Environmental Art Mentor Residency was granted to Lucinda Linderman as onsite curator for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Eco and Environmental Art Residency Program, which will invite up to six artists to share a studio to develop related projects. For more information, please attend our public meeting with artists and organizations on Saturday, August 10th from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at the Deering Estate at Cutler Visitor Center, 16701 SW 72 Ave. Miami FL, 33157.
 
2013-2014 ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

Gerry Stecca - Painting and Sculpture Artist in Studio 4 - Carriage House
August 2013 through July 2014
Artist in Residence Gerry Stecca was born in Caracas, Venezuela and began formal art training while attending San Diego Mesa College, CA, concurrently with his studies of genetics and molecular biology. He completed a B.A. in visual arts with a minor in science from the University of California, San Diego focusing on both sculpture and painting. During his residency, he will pursue a series of works named Leafy Impetus. These works are inspired by the use of Spanish moss as a versatile natural painting brush. Dipped and soaked moss and other vegetable matter are applied to pare or canvas and manipulated in a process of visual discovery. Currently, Stecca is seeking is MFA in painting form the Savannah College of Art & Design.

Natalya Laskis - Painting, Studio 6 - Power House
June 2013 through July 2014
Miami Artist in Residence Natalya Laskis received a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD and attended the New World School of the Arts in Miami. In her year-long residency, Laskis will create paintings that incorporate historical elements of the Estate with contemporary twists. Her exhibition record reflects both national and international shows including David Castillo Gallery, Boca Raton Museum of Art, The Fireplace Projects, The Armory, New York, NY. and solo exhibitions include What is love at Galleria Glance, Turin, Italy. Shortness of Breath at Locust Projects, Miami, FL and American Odyssey at Frederic Snitzer Gallery, Miami.

Robert Sparrow Jones - Painting Artist in Studio 4 - Carriage House 
June & July 2013
Artist in Residence Robert Sparrow Jones grew up in rural Pennsylvania. He received his BFA from Kutztown University. After living in Seattle WA and working as a documentary filmmaker, he moved to Baltimore MD and received his MFA from the Hoffberger School of Painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. During his residency Jones will focus on landscapes and waterscapes that embody the passage of time. Separate layers of color and transparent washes let light pass through creating a sense of movement and a feeling of continuous space. Robert relocated to Florida to Teach at NOVA South Eastern University, and has an extensive residency and exhibition record with works shown from New York City to Hong Kong.

Michael Gellatly - Project Residency - Botanical Constructions
September 2013 through August 2014
Project Artist in Residence Michael Gellatly, originally from Connecticut, is a fine artist with extensive work experience in the field of illustration. As Michael maintains a studio at the BakeHouse Art Complex in the Wynwood District, we welcome him this season to create mixed media constructions that reinterpret traditional botanical imagery into works that he describes as Botanical Hybrids. The eight unique ecosystems at the Estate will be the backdrop and inspiration for his new series of work as well as an interactive project.

Mia Leonin - Literary Artist in Studio 1 - Carriage House
July 2013 through June 2014
Literary artist Mia Leonin's residency will consist of research about of Charles Deering's conservation of the ecosystems of the Estate expressed through poetry, hybrid text, and collaborative projects. Among her numerous awards, publications, and collaborations, Leonin is the author of two books of poetry Braid and Unraveling the Bed , has been awarded an Academy of American Poets Prize, published in New Letters, Indiana Review, Prairie Schooner, Chelsea and Witness for poetic works, received a Green Eyeshade Award for theater criticism, and her fellowships include Florida Individual Artist Fellowship, and National Endowment for the Arts/Annenberg Institute on Theater and Musical Theater. Leonin is a full-time creative writing instructor at the University of Miami

Lucinda Linderman - Eco-Art Mentor Artist, Studio 5 - Power House
Visual Artist Lucinda Linderman continues at the Estate in her new role as Environmental Art Mentor and onsite curator for the National Endowment for the Arts NEA Eco and Environmental Art Residency and exhibition. Currently working in the community as an Eco-Art Curator and environmental artist, she is the creator of the Deering based Eco-Art Outreach Program which involved high school students in conceptualization, construction, installation, and exhibition of fine art and performance pieces. Linderman has an MFA from the University of Miami, has an extensive exhibition record and is most recently in the prestigious Girls Club Collection of Fort Lauderdale, FL.

About the Deering Estate at Cutler
The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue in Miami. This 444-acre natural and archeological preserve and historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a center for education, culture and recreation. Historic house tours are offered daily at 10:30 am & 3:00 pm and are free with Estate admission. For more information on the Deering Estate's educational and cultural programs, please visit www.deeringestate.org.