Meet Ana Maria Nava | Artist using glass as medium.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ana Maria Nava and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ana Maria, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I am a parent of two wonderful, independent, creative women ( the list can go on and on 🤍). Love is behind us all, it gives is security to develop as human beings. They are greatly loved. Teaching them to be happy people instead of “perfect” also has been impactful in their lives. Being aware and caring about other people has always been part of their experience. Knowing that we are part of a Big world that is there for us discover has given them wings to explore and grow as human beings.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Creating is part of me, it is almost compulsive, it gives me peace and excitement at the same time. I am an artist that uses glass as a medium to express ideas. My background is architecture, thus I create art glass meant to be integrated to spaces. I am originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela. I moved here with my husband in April 2021 and opened Navaglass Art Studio in March 2022. The pandemic and it’s consequences made me think a lot about what I wanted to be doing in the years to come, and whom did I wanted to be sharing time with. The answer was easy, I want to share with my daughters, my husband and family which are almost all here and I want to evolve in a place where I can grow and work freely. I have been working in art glass for the past 28 years. My approach to glass is unconventional and that is what makes it unique.
Starting a new life and project has been challenging but rewarding. I am where I want to be and I am sure that Navaglass Art Studio is going in the right direction.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Coral Gables, which I love. I would probably start around here. A night at Cafe la Trova is always fun. A good movie at the Coral Gables Art Cinema followed by a visit to Books & Books across the street for book browsing and a glass of wine. QP Tapas at MKT in Ponce de Leon is a fun and tasty night out. A visit to the Fairchild Botanical garden is a beautiful must. The Patch of Heaven Sanctuary is worth a visit. The mexican market on Sundays in Homestead is like visiting Mexico in Miami. Close by is Cauly Square Historic Village which is quaint and quirky. In Coconut Grove the Barnacle is peaceful and beautiful, the Kampong is amazing. The Saturday farmer’s market in Grand Avenue. A bunch of small special restaurants there in the Grove. In Buena Vista I love Upper Buena Vista, a place full of vegetation, small stores and little places to eat. Further north The Alchemist in Wilton Manors is a fun visit, close by are vintage stores like Decades and Flipatik with Danish furniture from the 50’s. In Hollywood the Yellow Green farmer’s Market is another great place to explore and eat. At the beach in Key Biscayne there is a Spanish Chiringuito where you can eat tapas and paella by the beach. The PAM , BASS and Rubell are good cultural visits. In West Palm Beach the Norton Museum of Art is a must. also The Breakers if you are there. A great day trip is Delray Beach, I love the Sundy House brunch and dinner at Dada restaurant. Close to Delray is the Morikami Japanese Garden. I am finishing now, I love so many places in Florida, I might need to write a guide haha.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband Pedro, my daughters, Ana Sofía and Juliana, all my family. They have supported me all along. In good and bad times, always there encouraging me to aim higher.

Website: www.anamarianava.glass

Instagram: @anamarianavaglass

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Image Credits
Gipsy Rangel, Albert Frangieh, Polo Sivori, Ana Maria Nava