Page 2 - The Wynwood Times - 1st Edition

Vo l . 1 T H E W Y N W O O D T I M E S MAY 2015

those early days. The devoted arts activist dug into the area with a Her insightful opinions and the experience of founding a solid
single minded purpose, she steadfastly began building a respected gallery program while raising two young daughters alone
program. merits recognition for Fuentes whose fingerprints loomed large
across Wynwood’s evolution during her decade-long tenure at
Hardcore focused on the work of cutting edge, new media and Hardcore.
international emerging to mid-career artists. What set them apart,
Fuentes recalls is “that they all shared a fearlessness to provoke Fuentes had already carved an impressive career in her
dialogue about contemporary society.” homeland before relocating to Miami, but she appeared
emotionally moved when the Board of County Commissioners
She’s quick to remind us that local art lovers were then starved for hailed her for continuing to distinguish herself locally as a
stimulating proposals from serious talent. To those discriminating “museologist, arts activist, curator, art dealer, cultural producer
art enthusiasts, it became evident soon after Fuentes opened her and philanthropist.” Miami Dade leaders also cited Fuentes for
doors that she was determined to deliver. “her extraordinary achievements on behalf of the Miami Art
Dealers’ Association” of which she is a founding member.
No subject was considered taboo, and under Fuentes’ direction,
Hardcore’s exhibition themes explored universal matters ranging The Proclamation was signed by Carlos A. Gimenez, Mayor
from genetics to environmental issues, gender identity and other of Miami-Dade County, Chairman Jean Monestime and
hot button social topics. Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, whose district includes
Wynwood and who was responsible for sponsoring the tribute
It wasn’t long before local and visiting collectors took note of her to Fuentes.
progressive program and scores of artists from across the globe
vied to join her stable. Fuentes notes that what made the Proclamation meaningful
for her is that it was presented at her latest venture, The
In the years following Fuentes’ launch of Hardcore she went on Chill Concept, which she established in October of 2013 in a
to represent Miami-Dade County and countless South Florida historic Wynwood house she fully refurbished into a pop-up
and international artists at more than 70 Contemporary Art Fairs
across the globe including Art Miami, SCOPE Miami, New York and
Basel, Switzerland, the Bridge and Pinta Art Fairs in London, as
well as Art Shanghai among others.

“I opened Hardcore Art Contemporary Space when only Bernice
Steinbaum, Brook Dorsch, Dot Fifty One, Locust Projects, Fred
Snitzer and just a few other galleries, artist’s studios, and
the Marty Margulies and Rubell Collections believed in the
neighborhood,” she recollects.

Today she describes Wynwood as a far cry from its early heyday

when art was the focus, rents were artist friendly and parking
was plentiful. In fact, many of Fuentes’ fellow pioneers have since
decamped from the artsy neighborhood that finds itself mired in
an identity crisis.

Fuentes pauses to consider how Wynwood’s soul has been
bartered over the past decade by developers and other special
interest groups who regarded artists as little more than real estate
stalking horses influential in helping raise property values.

In the end, these creative pioneers played a pivotal role behind
Wynwood’s branding, helping sell its image as a street mural
paradise, gritty nightlife destination, and urban lifestyle paradise.
But the truth now is that Wynwood is increasingly becoming a
trendy tourist trap where a modest concrete loft commands a
fortune and most artists no longer find Wynwood and affordable
place to live or work in.

“Wynwood has been dramatically transformed from an edgy and
dynamic creative community where artists once lived and worked
or operated experimental spaces alongside serious galleries into
a growingly commercial business district that’s become a rent-
prohibitive area for many galleries and the majority of artists,”
observes Fuentes.