By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Visitors to the Coral Gables Museum will have an opportunity to step beyond the gallery wall and into the intellectual and creative process that shapes the exhibition itself on Wednesday, February 18 at noon. The museum’s Curator’s Tour, led by Director of Curatorial Programs Yuni Villalonga, offers a guided exploration designed to illuminate not only the works on display, but the curatorial decisions that give them meaning and coherence.

The 45-minute tour provides a rare chance for audiences to experience the exhibition through the perspective of its curator—understanding how individual pieces were selected, how thematic relationships were developed, and how the exhibition’s narrative took shape. Rather than simply presenting finished works, Villalonga’s tour reveals the research, interpretation and planning that transform disparate objects into a unified cultural experience.

This approach reflects the increasingly visible role of curators as both scholars and storytellers, responsible not only for preserving works but for shaping how they are understood by contemporary audiences.

A museum rooted in Coral Gables’ architectural and cultural legacy

Housed in the city’s old fire station – a historic Mediterranean Revival structure at 285 Aragon Avenue, the Coral Gables Museum occupies a building that reflects the very civic and architectural principles it seeks to interpret. Originally constructed in 1939 as the city’s police and fire station, the building itself stands as a testament to Coral Gables’ founding emphasis on architectural coherence and civic design.

Since relocating to the site in 2010, the museum has emerged as one of the city’s central cultural institutions, presenting exhibitions that explore architecture, urban planning, environmental stewardship, and local history. Through its curatorial programming, the museum provides a framework for understanding not only Coral Gables’ past, but the evolving forces shaping its future.

Villalonga, as director of Curatorial Programs, plays a central role in shaping that vision. Her work involves researching exhibition themes, identifying artists and objects, and developing the interpretive narratives that guide visitors through each exhibition. Her tour offers audiences direct access to that process, transforming the museum visit into a deeper exploration of artistic and historical context.

Illuminating the curatorial process

Curating an exhibition involves far more than assembling objects within a gallery space. It requires extensive research, careful selection, and a sensitivity to the relationships between individual works. Curators must consider how visitors move through the exhibition, how lighting and spatial arrangement influence perception, and how interpretive materials provide context without limiting individual interpretation.

Through the Curator’s Tour, Villalonga offers insight into these decisions, explaining how exhibitions evolve from initial concept to final installation. Visitors gain an understanding of how curators balance historical accuracy, aesthetic presentation, and audience engagement to create exhibitions that are both intellectually rigorous and accessible.

This transparency reflects a broader shift within museums toward greater openness and public engagement. By inviting visitors into the curatorial process, institutions foster deeper connections between audiences and the cultural narratives they present.

A more intimate and engaging museum experience

The Curator’s Tour is designed as an intimate, small-group experience that encourages conversation and inquiry. Participants have the opportunity to ask questions, explore individual works in greater depth, and gain insight into the interpretive framework guiding the exhibition.

The tour is open to visitors of all ages and experience levels and includes general admission to all museum galleries. Following the guided portion, visitors are free to continue exploring independently, applying the insights gained during the tour to their broader museum experience. Attendees also receive a 10 percent discount at the museum store, which offers books, design objects, and materials reflecting the museum’s curatorial themes.

This format allows visitors to move beyond passive observation toward active engagement with the exhibition and its underlying ideas.

Strengthening Coral Gables’ cultural life

Programs such as the Curator’s Tour reinforce the Coral Gables Museum’s role as both a cultural institution and a civic resource. By offering direct access to curatorial expertise, the museum fosters a deeper public understanding of how cultural narratives are preserved, interpreted, and presented.

These efforts reflect Coral Gables’ longstanding commitment to cultural and architectural excellence—a legacy that continues to shape the city’s identity. Through exhibitions and educational programs, the museum provides a space where residents and visitors can engage with the ideas and histories that define the community.

The guided portion of Curator’s Tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and includes access to all museum galleries.

For visitors seeking to understand not only what is on display, but how and why it is presented, the tour offers a rare opportunity to see the museum through the perspective of its curator.