Free! at Matheson Hammock Park

On October 30, we gathered at Matheson Hammock Park for an escape in nature and the very first artwork reveal of Season Four. Artist Philip Smith spoke affectionately about growing up in Miami in the 1950s, and leaving for New York to pursue his career as an artist and writer before returning decades later. Freedom—the freedom to create, to imagine, to be, and to change—was a reoccurring theme throughout the day, and challenged our assumptions about the art market and the artistic process.

Collectors received their commissioned piece: a drawing on honed marble titled “Free” (edition of 50). This is Philip’s first experiment with marble. He credited the program for encouraging him to experiment with the medium, and to speak more openly about the rawness, mysticism and ideas behind the work. Philip’s art is in major collections around the world including Whitney Museum of Art, Boston MFA, MOCA, San Diego, Dallas Museum of Art, Detroit Institute of Art, Allen Museum and Oberlin, and is now also in the collections of 40 of our members—many of whom went to the same high school as the artist, and share fond memories of Matheson Hammock Park.

Learn more about Philip in this virtual talk moderated by Chana Budgazad Sheldon of Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami.

Photo credit: Andrea Lorena. Goodie bags courtesy Tito’s Vodka and Fever Tree.