We had the good fortune of connecting with Rochi Llaneza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rochi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
It is who I truly am. Learned that by trial and error. You have to know who you are and then understand that this in the long run is what will make you happiness even if other more financially solid opportunities come about. 

I have BA and BFA degrees but nothing gives me a feeling of fulfillment as creative processes do. I tried business jobs but not until I organically fell into arts administration/curatorial work did I feel I was where I should be.

What should our readers know about your business?
Inasmuch as I don’t want to be placed in a professional box, I am fluid between art consulting, art appraising, art making and curating; as well as everything in between having to do with the visual arts. When I decided some years ago to get my appraiser credentials, due to my many years in this art environment and the trust created through the years in the industry, the work flows steadily.

I believe the edge I have in appraising is that I have been an art admin along with being an artist myself. This gives me the art history background as well as the art making know-how.

I am most satisfied with my ability to forsee changes in the industry and shift or flow accordingly taking the necessary steps to move forward in the next direction. Most of all, I don’t shy away from new frontiers and I am always curious.

Overcoming challenges is the game. It is life. You best be armed with the right weapons and at this stage of my life, if I don’t have the right weapons, I acquire them. I try to learn something new every day of my life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This changes because we have so many interesting seasonal events in Miami at the time, Art Basel, car races, other art fairs throughout the year, boat shows, plant shows, music festivals, book fairs, film festivals, and more. All in all, this is my compacted itinerary: to learn about Miami in a museum setting, The Wolfsonian and the private art collections: Margulies Collection, Rubell Museum, de la Cruz, El Espacio 23. Places that are “very Miami”, Vizcaya, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, The Kampong, Freedom Tower, Coconut Grove, Little Haiti, Books & Books, driving around where my favorite murals are.

We have a very diverse culinary scene which I think is one of the most interesting things happening in Miami. I would take them to La Trova for drinks and dinner when band is playing, staying in Little Havana ice-cream at Azucar, for home-style Peruvian Sabor a Perú, Cafecito at El Versailles’ ventanita, freshly squeezed juices at El Palacio de los Jugos, drinks at The Corner Bar, dinner at Ariete, Eating House, home-style Cuban at La Casita, breakfast at Tinta y Café, dinner at Zit Sum, drinks at Azucar rooftop…many more. That is off the top of my head. I will regret missing many.

Then there’s the live music scene where we have phenomenal outside stages like Bandshell, Creative Yard, Oasis, the courtyard at Arsht Center. I’m in trouble… limited list.

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 parents were of enormous influence in my life. As to work ethics, my father was an integral factor. My mother was an “unproclaimed” artist herself. Her profession was Education but had been trained from an early age in creative skills, e.i. sewing, embroidery, knitting, fashion design. Later in school, she was taught woodwork, building skills, among other practical competence. She passed that down to me throughout my childhood. In my adult life, I had a professor at University who was my mentor and is still a close friend, Bill Burke.

Website: www.rochillaneza.me

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochillaneza/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochi-llaneza-b6736828/

Twitter: @Rochilla

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RochiLlaneza

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.