The Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA) is now featuring its “Welcome to Paradise” commissioning program featuring temporary public art projects by local South Florida artists at MOCA’s Paradise Courtyard. The project’s first season lasts through Jun. 25 and focuses on ecology and technology.

MOCA’s Paradise Courtyard will feature “Victory Garden,” an interactive sculptural community garden created by Miami-based artist Emmett Moore. The inspiration behind Moore’s “Victory Garden” comes from victory gardens of the past, which were planted during wartime to supplement rations and boost morale. The goal is to connect the local community with contemporary art and encourages visitors to reflect on their relationship with the built environment.

Utilizing sustainable materials such as repurposed steel drums to form sculptural planters, “Victory Garden” will feature native plants to South Florida and the Caribbean, such as Cuban oregano, collard greens, starfruit, bee balm and Everglades cherry tomatoes that will be harvested and shared. The exhibition will also include benches and solar-powered USB outlets for visitors.

“At MOCA, we are proud to develop programs like ‘Welcome to Paradise’ that not only reinforce our commitment to supporting local contemporary artists but also enliven and opens up a space for shared, fee-free access to the museum for audiences of all ages to enjoy,” Chana Sheldon says, executive director of MOCA.

The series will continue with “Into The Great Dying: Roles We Play,” a thought-provoking, interactive ceramic sculpture by Miami-based artist Beatriz Chachamovits that engages with the marine landscape, highlighting the decline of coral reef ecosystems and the impact of human actions. This installation will be on view from Jul. 5 through Nov. 21, 2023.

Complementary to “Welcome to Paradise,” MOCA will offer various on-site events and programs, including a workshop celebrating Earth Day on Apr. 22, 2023. “Victory Garden” will be open to the public during MOCA’s gallery closure for installation.

Welcome to Paradise is made possible with significant support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Andy Warhol Foundation provided additional support for the Visual Arts.

Photo Credit: Daniel Bock