A Very Wolfsonian Weekend will celebrate museum’s 15th anniversary Nov. 11-13


The Wolfsonian-FIU will celebrate its 15th  anniversary with a very special Very Wolfsonian Weekend – the museum’s annual fundraising extravaganza – beginning Thursday, Nov. 11, through Saturday, Nov, 13.

Festivities will kick off, appropriately enough, on the date in 1995 when the museum first opened its doors on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach.

The museum will mark its milestone birthday with the publication of an autobiography containing key information about its past, present and future.

“This is a momentous occasion for us,” said Cathy Leff, the museum’s director . “In just 15 years, The Wolfsonian-FIU has developed an international reputation; produced innovative and provocative exhibitions and programs; joined forces with an outstanding public research university; and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our constituents.

“We’re so proud of our accomplishments and of the many, many people who have helped make it all possible.”

Among the highlights of A Very Wolfsonian Weekend are:

Thursday, Nov. 11, 6-8 p.m.

“Speed Limits” Exhibition Celebration

This exhibition explores the role of speed in modern life and commemorates the hundredth anniversary of Italian Futurism. The Wolfsonian-FIU is organizing an international affair with the Canadian, French and Italian consulates to mark the celebration. In attendance will be Canadian Consul General Louise L. Léger, French Consul General Gaël de Maisonneuve and Italian Consul General Marco Rocca. To honor the French consulate’s 25th anniversary in Miami, French artist Laurent Moriceau will be on hand to present a fascinating “wine” performance titled “Le Vin des Minutes.” Admission is free for museum members and the FIU community, $10 for all other guests. To RSVP, contact 305-535-2631 or rsvp@thewolf.fiu.edu.

Friday, Nov. 12, 8 p.m.

The Wolfsonian Quince

The museum will celebrate its 15th birthday with a Miami-style quinceañera at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, hosted by The Wolfsonian Visionaries, a recently organized group of members who are passionate about design and interested in working with the museum to develop innovative events, strengthen community ties and raise funds to support museum exhibitions and activities. The evening will include a silent auction offering fabulous trips and, one-of-a-kind experiences, as well as music by Miami’s own Grammy-nominated Latin jazz band, Conjunto Progreso, led by Johnny Aguiló, and DJ-about-town Jody McDonald. Tickets for the Wolfsonian Quince are $250 per person or $2,500 for a table for 10. For more information, call 305-535-2631 or e-mail ian@thewolf.fiu.edu.

Saturday, Nov. 13, noon-6 p.m.

Community Open House

This community celebration of speed and the “Speed Limits” exhibition, architecture and food will be The Wolfsonian-FIU’s way of thanking the community for 15 years of support. There will be a variety of guided tours presented in conjunction with the Miami Design Preservation League and conducted on foot, bicycle and other modes of transportation that highlight the exhibition, Miami Beach architecture and the speed of locomotion. In addition, the day will feature a participatory culinary performance by Laurent Moriceau titled “Do You Moules a Merveiles?” Admission to the museum and gallery tours is free. For tickets for the neighborhood tours, call 305-535-2644 or e-mail lydia@thewolf.fiu.edu.

In addition to the weekend activities, The Wolfsonian-FIU will mark its milestone birthday with the publication of an autobiography titled 1995-2010 and Beyond: Portrait of an Institution on its 15th Anniversary ($37.95), containing key information about the institution’s past, present and future.

The 114-page, highly illustrated, full-color publication is a compilation of facts about the institution, lists of accomplishments, images from the collection and quotes about the museum’s impact from a variety of sources including renowned art critics and local educators who have participated in the museum’s programs. A section of the book is devoted to goals for the future that provides a glimpse at ways in which The Wolfsonian-FIU plans to build on the strong foundation of the first 15 years.

“It’s our birthday. Help us celebrate by buying yourself this book. Our autobiography is a gift to our constituents as well as a gift to us,” Leff said. “It is our hope that through learning our story we will motivate others to help us achieve our long-term objectives.”

For more information on A Very Wolfsonian Weekend events, call 305-535-2631 or e-mail ian@thewolf.fiu.edu.

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