These stories were collected through a series of Miami Stories activations developed in collaboration with Yo Miami – a local arts organization that supports Miami creatives and artists in creative direction, branding, marketing, design, and art curation. The following written stories are in response to our Miami Stories Story Dice activity developed with Yo Miami for Miami’s vibrant art community.
The most Miami feeling was running away from Marine patrol at 1AM, hiding in Coral Rocks, running up sand dune, watching shooting stars on Nikki Beach, watching the Sunrise, and being in a rap video all in one 6 hour span.
Have you ever witnessed the many flocks of chickens at Government Center in Downtown Miami?
I was struggling with depression until I began pursuing my art career. Now I feel happy that I’ve found my purpose in life. I enjoy creating abstract pop art/caricature parody art.
Before I became a professional photographer I used to take pretty photos. But it wasn’t until I realized I could express myself creatively through photography I became a good photographer. That realization changed everything for me.
12 years ago I came to Miami, jumped in the art in Wynwood, I was no one, met Yuval and he found my first painting in Miami. He found and invited me to have a space here in Yo Space and made a big name for myself/ I appreciate Yuval and feel l owe him so much.
When I was 8, there was an active shooter situation at Dadeland Mall while I was shopping with my aunt. These guys were trying to rob an armored truck with lots of cash in it. They ran into the mall and shot a few rounds in the air. Since that day, my family calls it DEADland mall.
While traveling years ago, I heard Latin music playing in a restaurant somewhere in Canada, and it reminded me of home – Miami.
I was new to Miami – only 3 months in. I was skating down Biscayne towards Little Haiti – zoomin past murals and cute shops. Then I saw a tree!! It wasn’t an ordinary tree. It spoke. I swear. It was breathing. I made a U-turn and stopped. Looked up and watched this tree tell me everything will be okay.
If I left Miami I’d miss all the different languages you can hear walking down the street.
If I left Miami, I would miss the weather, the beaches, and most importantly the culture. For better or worse, Miami will always be my home and I feel always inspired to represent my roots! Para mi cuidad y mis raices!!!
Me and my dad did a job in Footlocker in Wynwood. We got some shoes, a shirt, and a new basketball. It was a great experience.
My grandparents started coming to Miami in the 70s on vacation from France. They ended up moving here with their 3 kids in 1979, and my mom went to the University of Miami. They came in pursuit of the age-old American dream for a better life, and I’m grateful they did.
Art brings me to Miami. As a singer/musician/visual artist, Miami seems like the perfect place to be. I love the culture here and the big city. I do miss the country but Miami is like its own bubble. The people are great as well the more I dive into the art community.
While away from my home in Miami, I realized I miss the culture. When I say culture, I mean the music out on the streets, the beautiful art in everything, the food!!! Oh my God the food in other places traveling abroad is amazing but nothing like Miami. I found myself coming to visit Miami and taking all types of food back on the road with me. So it’s hard to say anything but, when you leave Miami, you miss Miami.
A typical night in my 20s consisted of pregraming on 4 Lokos – a very unhealthy and cheap alcohol in a massive can. We wouldn’t leave to our favorite clubs and bars until well after midnight. Kill Your Idol, Score, Ted’s, and Twist were our favorites! We would stay out all night and watch the sunrise from the beach. After, we would eat chimis from a little stand outside a gas station somewhere in Allapattah. I miss these years, especially the friendship, but it’s a good thing I slowed down!!! Some of my friends, including myself, became sober. But all of us are a lot less wild nowadays.
I live in a part of Hialeah called “Mango Hill” with my family. We have cameras installed and noticed around 1 am a man would walk by and open up our mailbox and look inside, continue to walk and open everyone’s mailbox. I took a photo of his face and decided to tell the cops in person because I know where they hang out near my house. I found the cops hanging out by the closest gas station and I approached them. It was 3 of them smoking cigars and chatting. Before I could finish telling them about this guy, one of them said “oh we know who it is” and quickly pulled up his mugshot on his phone. He said this guy is called “the Menace of Mango Hill” and he’s a crackhead who’s been arrested multiple times. He told me not to worry about him because he’s non-violent. He’s simply trying to steal things so he could buy crack. They said next time I see him to call the cops. I thanked him and walked away wondering when would be the next time I would come across “the Menace of Mango Hill.”