Artist Biographies: \;
\nYvette Cotera&rsquo\;s island roots fr om Cuba\, Key Largo and the Canary Islands\, continue to inspire her paint ings\, which encourages protection of the coral reefs\, sea life\, coastal birds\, and Florida Everglades. Ms. Cotera acquired a bachelor&rsquo\;s d egree certification in K-12 Special Education and Art. Presently she paint s and teaches from her home studio\, member of the philanthropist Ladies o f Deering\, Miami Watercolor Society exhibition chair\, and past workshop chair for the Art Guild of the Purple Isles in the Florida Keys\, where sh e displays her paintings year-round.
\nRaised in Venezuela\, South A merica\, Mariela Estevez is a wife\, mother\, grandmother \, and a visual artist with low vision. She creates mixed media art\, inco rporating acrylics\, metals\, textiles\, and glass to express her thoughts and emotions. When living in Key Largo\, she created &ldquo\;CreArtive&rd quo\; summer camp art programs\, making accommodations for children with s pecial needs\, teaching at The Art Box\, and at her own art studio: Imagin ation Wonderland on MM96. \;As a member of the Art Guild of the Purple Isles in the Florida Keys\, Mariela has won numerous juried awards and pe ople&rsquo\;s choice awards. Her art has exhibited at the History of Divin g Museum\, Sotheby&rsquo\;s International Russel Gallery\, Florida Keys Hi story &\; Discovery Center\, Mariner&rsquo\;s Hospital\, libraries\, ne wspapers\, and private collections. \;Mariela hopes to leave a positiv e creative mark and awareness of nature\, through \;her \;teaching and art works.
\nMs. Leslie Mitchell McKinley is a practicing artist and retired art educator residing and working in Palmet to Bay. A fourth generation Floridian and native of Miami\, she cares deep ly about capturing the beauty of our natural surroundings\, as well as add ressing contemporary social issues in her artwork. She taught for 25 years in the Southwood Middle School Magnet/Talent Program. Her work has been e xhibited both locally and nationally and is held in private collections. M cKinley&rsquo\;s artwork includes both representational and abstract image ry. As the mother of a daughter who is blind\, she has recently been creat ing pieces which can be tactually experienced by blind and low vision indi viduals. These incorporate recycled materials such as antique fabric and f ibers from used rugs. Her hope is that the art experience can be made acce ssible and inclusive for a wide range of participants.
\nPar tners include: The Miami Lighthouse\, The Division of Blind Services\, Lio ns Club-District 35\, and the Alliance for Aging.
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