Press Releases

Student photography exhibit from Miami International University of Art & Design will kick-off its 50th Anniversary celebration during Downtown Art Days on September 11

[Miami, FL August 25, 2015] Students from the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Digital Photography have been hard at work for the past quarter ensuring their images truly capture the essence of today’s downtown Miami.  Capture: Miami Now is a student photography exhibit featuring and documenting the ongoing growth currently taking place in Downtown Miami. The exhibit will serve as the backdrop for Miami International University of Art & Design’s 50th Anniversary celebration and reception during Downtown Art Days on September 11, 2015 at 5pm. The celebration will also feature a discussion by fine arts photographer David Hilliard. The event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend.

Miami International University of Art & Design is proud to celebrate 50 years of being part of the Miami community offering students a solid tradition of excellence in career-focused education in the applied arts through associate, bachelor and graduate degree programs in the creative fields of Design, Media arts and Fashion. “We are honored to have been a part of downtown Miami’s growth in the arts throughout the past 50 years; we are delighted to continue that evolution through so many wonderful partnerships like this one where our students are able to participate in documenting Miami’s progress in such a meaningful way. These types of partnerships and the success of our students and alumni over the past 50 years is what propels our continued commitment to higher education here in Miami,” says Erika Fleming, president of Miami International University of Art & Design. 

The photography project is a formal collaboration between Miami International University of Art & Design (MIU) and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).  Two dedicated classes were added to the curriculum with a total of 30 students enrolled. The final images will be available to the DDA for use within their various publications and marketing collateral to maximize exposure and grow Miami as a cultural and business hub. The culmination of this first year’s efforts is a photography exhibit showcasing this unique perspective. This collaboration is expected to be an ongoing project documenting the development of Downtown Miami over the next five years. 

As part of the celebration, David Hilliard, fine arts photographer, will be offering guests a glimpse into the photography world with a short lecture on his works and experience. David Hilliard creates large-scale multi-paneled color photographs, often based on his life or the lives of people around him.  His panoramas direct the viewer’s gaze across the image surface allowing narrative, time and space to unfold.  David received his BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and MFA from the Yale University School of Art.  He worked for many years as an assistant professor at Yale University where he also directed the undergraduate photo department.  He is a regular visiting faculty at Harvard University, the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Massachusetts College of Art & Design and Lesley University College of Art & Design.  David also leads a variety of summer photography workshops throughout the country.   www.davidhilliard.com