‘Summer of THINGS’ continues at the Coral Gables Museum

The Coral Gables Museum invites residents and visitors to step into the “Summer of THINGS” this Wednesday, July 2, for an interactive evening of creative exploration led by artist Juraj Kojš. The Open Studio event runs from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. and is part of a free, biweekly series curated by The Things Lab. Designed for adults (ages 18+), each session invites attendees to make, reflect, and connect—with art, objects, and each other.

Held in the museum’s airy central galleries at 285 Aragon Avenue, the July 2 program features Kojš, a Slovak-born artist known locally for his “Orchid Music” installations and nationally for his experimental work with sound, technology, and performance. Participants are encouraged to bring old audio media—think Bluetooth speakers, cassette tapes, CDs, even megaphones—and, if available, an orchid. The goal: to craft a one-of-a-kind “O-Thing,” blending memory, materials, and personal narrative.

Meet the artphibian

Kojš’s practice crosses disciplines—music, bioacoustics, poetry, theater, digital media—earning him the label “artphibian,” a hybrid creator and performer who thrives at intersections. His works have been commissioned by The Knight Foundation, Harvestworks, and Live Arts Miami, and his academic research has appeared in Organized Sound, Leonardo Music Journal, and the Computer Music Journal. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and directs the nonprofit FETA Foundation, which supports experimental sound art in South Florida.

For this Open Studio, Kojš brings a simple prompt with rich potential: What happens when we give retired objects—especially those that once carried sound—a new voice?

Creativity meets community

The July 2 mixer is one of several summer events leading up to the Coral Gables Museum’s fall exhibition, 100 Years of Coral Gables Through Objects. Organized in partnership with The Things Lab Miami, the series invites participants to think more deeply about the objects we keep, discard, transform, or forget—and how they shape our sense of self and place.

Open Studio sessions create space not just for making but for meeting. Whether you’re a lifelong artist or creatively curious, the evening offers a low-pressure, high-engagement format. The event includes a social hour from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. featuring a complimentary LALO Tequila drink for Young Associates members and a cash bar offering beer and wine for all guests. The hands-on program begins at 6:30 p.m. and continues until 8:30.

Why attend

In a city celebrating its centennial year, Open Studio doubles as both celebration and reflection. As Coral Gables takes stock of the objects, stories, and voices that have shaped its first 100 years, this participatory series invites residents to contribute to that unfolding narrative in tangible, personal ways.

The Things Lab—an initiative that explores the cultural life of “things” through research, exhibitions, and programming—curates each session with a focus on local artists and community storytelling. Past mixers have included collage workshops, found object assemblages, and guided memory walks through Coral Gables.

Plan your visit

Admission to Open Studio is free, though capacity is limited. No prior art experience is needed. Attendees are encouraged to bring small objects or materials they no longer use, especially those with a sonic or visual past. RSVP is available through Eventbrite, and walk-ups are welcome space permitting.

Parking is available in paid lots near the museum. The Coral Gables Museum is located at 285 Aragon Avenue. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; the creative session begins promptly at 6:30.

For more information or to RSVP, visit the official Eventbrite listing.

Make this your Summer of THINGS—and your midweek reset. On July 2, step into the mix.

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.