By Coral Gables Gazette staff
An evening of architectural illustrations launches a fund for Coral Gables preservation. The Coral Gables Community Foundation will host Inking History – Preserving Our Historical Landmarks at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables on Friday, September 26 at 6:30 p.m.. The event will feature a curated collection of hand-drawn illustrations depicting Coral Gables’ signature architectural landmarks, all rendered in a unified medium. More than an exhibit, the evening is structured as a call to stewardship — a way for residents, donors and civic groups to support ongoing preservation efforts through directed giving.
The Biltmore itself is a fitting venue: designed in 1926 by Schultze and Weaver with Mediterranean and Spanish Revival influences, it stands today as one of Coral Gables’ signature landmarks.
Drawing a legacy: Illustrations as civic tools
The show centers on a series of meticulously hand-drawn landmark illustrations, each capturing the architectural breadth of George Merrick’s Mediterranean-inspired vision. In presenting these works in a consistent visual style, the exhibit offers coherence—and a reminder that these landmarks belong to the same visual language that underpins Coral Gables’ identity.
But Inking History is more than aesthetic contemplation. The selections have been leveraged to generate directed donations toward historic preservation efforts in the city. All sponsor contribution, art sale proceeds and event revenue will support the Inking History Fund, a donor-advised fund housed by the Community Foundation.
The Foundation positions this not merely as a retrospective, but as an opportunity for alignment: “corporate sponsors and civic-minded individuals” may publicly associate themselves with preserving the architectural legacy of the “City Beautiful” in its centennial era.
Architecture, memory & risk
Coral Gables was born out of a bold plan by George E. Merrick to evoke Mediterranean charm, plazas and a unified aesthetic across villages. Over time, though, those architectural treasures have faced pressure—from neglect, redevelopment, and shifting municipal priorities.
The event’s framing asks the community to imagine the loss of any of those landmarks—not as abstract ruin, but as a fracture in the city’s cultural DNA. That “call to stewardship” is central: these drawings are not just documents but invitations to act.
Moreover, this event arrives at a moment when many American cities are rethinking how they fund preservation. Inking History’s model—tying artistic representation directly to a philanthropic fund—offers a localized demonstration of how art can activate community support for architectural care.
What to expect on the evening
- A walking gallery of the illustrations, framed and displayed within the hotel’s historic spaces
- Remarks by Coral Gables Foundation leadership and possibly guest speakers (architects, preservationists)
- Opportunities for guests to engage: purchase original or limited-edition prints, pledge directed donations, or sponsor individual landmarks
- A welcome reception or light refreshments (depending on final programming)
While the publicly available event listings do not yet detail every speaker or artist, the Foundation has consistently promoted Inking History as a marquee fall event in its lineup.
A Foundation with context
The Coral Gables Community Foundation—established in 1991—serves as a philanthropic conduit for the city, managing donor funds, endowments and grant programs. The Inking History Fund – Preserving Our Cultural Landmarks is one of its donor-advised funds, listed among its active funds on its “Current Funds” page.
In recent years, the Foundation has highlighted its role in catalyzing public-private partnerships, cultural investments and philanthropic strategy for Coral Gables.
By centering this event during the city’s centennial era, the Foundation seems to intend Inking History not as an isolated gala, but a prologue to longer-term preservation initiatives.
If you go…
What: Inking History – Preserving Our Historical Landmarks
When: Friday, Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Miami Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables
Purpose: Art exhibit + fundraising for historic preservation
Hosted by: Coral Gables Community Foundation
More info / Tickets: via the Foundation’s events page
Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff
Originally established in 1996 and relaunched as a digital publication in February 2025, the Coral Gables Gazette is an independent local news organization dedicated to factual, objective and accountable community journalism. Our newsroom reports on the people, policies, institutions and events shaping Coral Gables, Florida, providing residents with timely, informative coverage of the issues affecting their community. Our reporting includes City Hall, local government, municipal elections, public spending, real estate development, business, education, arts and culture, and neighborhood affairs throughout the City Beautiful. We follow City Commission decisions, examine public records and report on the businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to Coral Gables. We believe informed residents are essential to a healthy, engaged community. Stories published under the Coral Gables Gazette News Staff byline are prepared or compiled by the publication's editorial team. We strive for accuracy, fairness, transparency and clear distinctions between news reporting, opinion and advertising. Readers are encouraged to submit news tips, corrections, editorial inquiries and story suggestions through our Contact page and learn more about our standards through our Editorial Policy.
HPACG was a proud sponsor of “Inking History” Such a lovely event! Congratulations to architect Ana Alas of GAA . Love for historic preservation and our city’s landmarks showed through beautifully. The sketches are masterpieces. Thank you to Ana and her family for all the hard work and dedication to make this event succeed. The event was of the highest standards and the turnout was a “Who’s Who” of community leaders and influencers.