The Coral Gables Museum’s next Open Studio event on Wednesday, July 16, promises a deeply personal and playfully experimental evening of creativity. Curated in partnership with The Things Lab, this free public session will be led by transdisciplinary artist Dimitry Saïd Chamy, whose boundary-blurring work fuses design, storytelling, and generative systems to explore themes of loss, connection, and future possibilities.
Held every other Wednesday during the summer, Open Studio is a recurring creative mixer for adults 18 and older. The event combines hands-on art-making with social connection, inviting participants to explore the meaning of objects—both literal and symbolic—in their lives. Each session serves as a stepping-stone toward the Museum’s major fall exhibition, 100 Years of Coral Gables Through Objects.
Participatory alphabet of memory and meaning
This week’s featured activity centers on image-making and language. Attendees are invited to bring photos on their phone or tablet—of themselves, loved ones, pets, or meaningful objects—and to contribute small items for inclusion in a collaboratively generated digital alphabet and font.
Chamy’s practice is rooted in the idea of shared authorship and the transformative potential of design. At this session, he’ll guide participants through an interactive process that blends personal storytelling with collective creation. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to share.
The artist encourages guests to think of something they are ready to offer to the community alphabet. This might be a physical item, like a trinket or keepsake, or a digital image that evokes a memory, emotion, or idea. In the spirit of Coral Gables’ centennial, the evening doubles as a meditation on what we choose to preserve—and how we reimagine it.
Chamy at a glance
Dimitry Saïd Chamy is a queer Haitian-Lebanese artist, designer, and cultural producer. His work spans interactive media, visual art, and education, often exploring the intersections of technology, identity, and ecology. Drawing from his background in science and design, Chamy approaches art-making as an open-ended dialogue between systems—natural and human-made.
He holds an MFA in Graphic Design from Yale University and has exhibited at Locust Projects, New York Fashion Week, and other international venues. Locally, he serves as Co-Founder and Resident Artist at Florida International University’s Ratcliffe Art & Design Incubator, where he mentors emerging creatives and develops public-facing projects that blur the lines between disciplines.
Midweek mixer for creative adults
As with all Open Studio events, the atmosphere on July 16 will be relaxed and welcoming. The evening kicks off with an open bar from 6 to 7 p.m. featuring LALO Tequila, followed by a cash bar for wine and beer for the remainder of the session. Young Associates Members enjoy an extra complimentary LALO drink—an incentive to support the Museum’s mission while connecting with other members of the local creative community.
From 6 to 8:30 p.m., guests will have the opportunity to make, share, and reflect in a space that values personal expression over polished outcomes. The Coral Gables Museum and The Things Lab have designed Open Studio as a place where adults can unwind midweek, discover new perspectives, and connect through collaborative exploration.
Building toward the Centennial
The Open Studio series is part of the Museum’s broader initiative to mark the City of Coral Gables’ 100th anniversary. Through these summer gatherings, the community is invited to shape the story of the city by contributing objects, images, and experiences that reflect its diversity and evolution.
Each session is curated with a different artist and theme, but all share the same ethos: participatory, inclusive, and deeply rooted in place. Whether you’re a seasoned creative or simply curious, these events offer an accessible entry point into the vibrant cultural life of Coral Gables.
RSVP and Details
The session is free and open to adults 18+, with no art experience required. Space is limited, and advance registration is encouraged via coralgablesmuseum.org.
📅 Wednesday, July 16
🕕 6:00 – 8:30 PM
📍 Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue
🎟️ Free with RSVP
Bring your curiosity, your stories, and something meaningful to share. Coral Gables is making art—and history—one object at a time.
