Manolis Projects Gallery, Florida’s largest working studio and fine gallery, and ArtesMiami, Inc., a leading nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to supporting and promoting artists and cultural groups, will recognize ArtesMiami new Chair, philanthropist and art collector Maria Bechily. A reception in Ms. Bechily’s honor will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 10th, at Manolis Projects Gallery, 335 NE 59th Street, Miami, Florida 33137. More than 100 art collectors and business leaders have confirmed their attendance.
“We thank Manolis Projects Gallery for hosting this beautiful reception,” said Aida Levitan, Ph.D., founder and President of ArtesMiami. “Maria Bechily deserves this recognition for her philanthropic contributions and cultural leadership. At the event, also supported by Peter Zubizarreta (UBS Bridgelane Group) and Bakery by Corina Guinand, we will also introduce the grant winners of the first ArtesMiami Documentary Film Fund program.” Additional information about Maria Bechily is included in her biography (page 3).
Artist J. Steven Manolis, founder of the Manolis Projects Gallery, said, “We are proud to honor Ms. Bechily and ArtesMiami President Dr. Aida Levitan for their important work in the South Florida cultural space.” He added that, “The reception and exhibitions will also allow us to showcase our artists’ work.”
Aida Levitan, Ph.D., founded ArtesMiami, Inc. in 1995 and is its President and principal donor. The 501(c)3 organization is dedicated to supporting and promoting Hispanic artists and cultural groups, with the goal of further developing South Florida as an international cultural center. https://artesmiami.org. Its newest venture, the ArtesMiami Documentary Film Fund, will enable six documentary filmmakers to complete their film projects through $60,000 in grants. The Knight Foundation contributed $10,000 for operating expenses. The winners of the first six grants are as follows:
Ricardo Bacallao, “Bebo”
Pedro Gonzalez, “Dope Tavio”
Lieter Ledesma, “Adiós a la Esperanza” (“Goodbye to Hope”)
Melinda Raebyne, “Ellos gritan Libertad.” (“They Scream Freedom”)
LeAnne Russell, “En el valle solo los gorriones son libres” (“In the Valley only the Sparrows are Free” Ed Talavera, “Carne Viva” (“Live Flesh”)
