Julie Peppito Chooses Hope

April 11 – May 17, 2025

Statement and curation by Melanie Prapopoulos

The CAMP Gallery

791-793 NE 125th St. North Miami, FL 33161

The solo exhibition, Julie Peppito Chooses Hope, suggests a guide on how to navigate life through mixed mediums of fiber, paint, found objects and her own innate belief in preserving the positive. Peppito tackles the daily distractions of life by creating multi layered works exploring where she is in the present as a means of establishing order in a life that is chaotic. Chaos can be found in any segment of life where reality clashes with self imposed expectations, where time flies uncontrollably out of ones’s  grasp, and much more. Peeling back life as we cross the social landscape, Peppito responds to the world she inhabits by offering hope. Coming into her own in an ever  changing art world and practice, Peppito spends a great deal of time with not only  the work that evolves, often from one object, but also with her thoughts on the piece. Her thoughts can travel through the everyday and mundane, through her own life,  and through the climate she encounters. This multifaceted looking around her is clearly seen in works such as; Growth 1 & 2 (2025). The works offer the concept of  growth in many ways. For example, it can be seen as two unequal stages of growth, two direction for growth—or a limit to growth because of the different sizes. But in both  there lies hope, simply because the works are bordered by a literal blank canvas, thereby giving one the freedom to move out of the work and into a new stage. 

Peppito often creates a tableaux both overflowing with action and thought, but also  one open and dependent on interpretation. Dividing for example, Holding Pattern (2025) into two sections, one is able to skip through the left portion only to attentively explore the right side. The piece is divided by color, historical references, the artist, and elements of culture. Once you travel through the labyrinths Peppito creates, you may  enter into the unformed, the unknown. The work holds an intentionally ambiguous landscape, one with a shadowy figure lurking in the window, an empty chair, and less—but even through this almost ‘void,’ Peppito places her bird, a muse, a symbol of the  imagination—fully formed, fully identifiable—showing that come what may, there is  always hope and somethings can never be erased. This is the key in Peppito’s philosophy—there is always hope, and we can all work towards the beautiful  tomorrow of our imagination.  

In all of Peppito’s work one can witness her artistic practice as her search for  materials rises from both conscious choices to something that catches her eye. This ‘eye-catching’ object is usually the idea of a work in its moment of becoming, akin to an unconscious stage, but as more than one idea holds space in anyone’s mind— new ideas often come hurdling towards her, calling her to listen to the ideas, and thus  one idea evolves into many. These ‘many’ are then masterfully composed by Peppito to tell the story that she wishes to tell, as well as to listen to the stories that come from her works when viewed. Her work stands on the precipice of optimism forever leaning towards hope. The hope lies in the future, what she likes to envision for a ‘beautiful  tomorrow,’ and the hope that her work stimulates, awakens and leads into  conversations and connections bound in the hope for caring connections amongst all.  

Art on the Plaza: Avi Young – Bearing Bonds

Through May 31, 2025

All Day

MOCA’s Art on the Plaza returns with a thought-provoking installation examining the complexities of human connection. Avi Young’s Bearing Bonds, on display through May 31 at MOCA Plaza at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, features two figures—an adolescent and mentor—with arms extended toward each other but unable to touch.

The installation explores themes of separation, whether from physical distance, systemic barriers or emotional divides. Young ingeniously connects the silhouettes with melodic chimes, creating a symbolic bridge of communication despite the inability to physically connect.

As a queer Afro-Latinx artist, Young brings their vibrant cultural heritage and storytelling passion to their work. Their artistic practice often centers on tender portrayals of marginalized communities, celebrating identity while fostering empathy and highlighting the power of connection through textured, intimate narratives.

Young’s artistic journey began at the Design and Architecture Senior High, where they balanced artistic pursuits with STEM studies, including marine biology research at the Frost Science Museum. They later refined their skills at the Kansas City Art Institute, focusing on ceramics and material exploration. Since 2021, Young has been an associate artist at the Bakehouse Art Complex, contributing to Miami’s creative landscape.

Bearing Bonds is part of MOCA’s Art on the Plaza series, launched in 2020 to activate the museum’s outdoor space with temporary public art installations. The 2025 series showcases South Florida artists, including Young, Magnus Sodamin and Nathan Justice Moyer, with site-specific works rotating throughout the year to engage and connect the community.

Oolite Arts Presents: Mini Bookmaking Workshop with Wilie Báez

Saturday, May 10, 2025 | 1 – 5 PM
924 Lincoln Road, Studio 201, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Paper crafting enthusiasts and art hobbyists can explore creative bookmaking techniques at this Oolite Arts hands-on workshop led by artist Wilie Báez. The session introduces participants to fundamental bookbinding methods while incorporating various artistic elements to create personalized miniature books.

The Mini Bookmaking Workshop takes place on Saturday, May 10 at Oolite Arts on Miami Beach. Throughout the four-hour session, attendees will transform 12″ x 12″ paper into small handmade books using non-stitching binding techniques, while experimenting with collage, painting, drawing and printmaking to create distinctive page designs.

All necessary materials are provided, though participants are welcome to bring personal items to incorporate into their projects. The workshop is designed for all skill levels, requiring no previous bookmaking experience. By the end of the session, participants will have completed several mini books and gained skills that can be applied to larger bookmaking projects.

The instructor, Willie Báez, is a multidisciplinary artist originally from New York City’s East Village who transitioned from a career in Information Technology to pursue his artistic practice. Báez studied at the School of Visual Arts and Parsons School of Design in the 1990s and has exhibited his work in various locations including New Jersey, New York City, Miami, Puerto Rico and Spain. He currently works part-time at Oolite Arts, where he facilitates printmaking workshops and figure drawing sessions.

Registration requires advance booking, with refunds available up to 24 hours before the workshop begins.

Participants will craft their own personalized mini books, exploring artistic expression through the tactile and narrative possibilities of handmade publications. All materials are included, and the workshop is designed to welcome beginners and experienced makers alike.

Tickets start at $55, and space is limited.

Discover the artistry of bookmaking and leave with a one-of-a-kind creation that tells your story.

Register now at oolitearts.org or contact [email protected] for more information.