Meet Trina Oropeza | Art Teacher & Director of Imago

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

Hi Trina, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Without a doubt, the most important factor behind the success of Imago is the human team that brings to life the purpose of this project, without the passion, commitment and dedication of each one of them the essence of Imago could not be revealed. Another of our most important factors has been the location of the space in the city of Coral Gables, we feel very grateful to be able to have our headquarters in such a beautiful city with a history linked to art and culture. In addition to this, we consider the community of families and collaborators who have supported the work we have been doing throughout these years a huge strength.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My professional background is as an educator, which is why since the foundation of IMAGO we considered the educational component as a fundamental pillar within our mission, always linking ourselves with the creative element and full enjoyment for all, that is why even our art exhibitions are complemented with educational events or activities aimed at adults and / or children as well, always bearing in mind that IMAGO is a cultural space that seeks to contribute to human development. We want art, music and literature to be accessible to everyone, to be close to everyone’s heart and especially to children’s. Through our activities we strive on making artistic language, in any of its expressions, part of everyone’s daily life. For me Imago has been the project of my life, I dreamed it many years ago at least 10 years, so for me it is so important to work hard for every new activity, event or whatever we plan to give the best of us for the community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For most people, Miami is associated with beautiful beaches and exhausting shopping, however, even though its beaches and bays are certainly beautiful and delightful and it is a privilege to live near them, there is also a world of things happening simultaneously in the city that is worth discovering. That’s why if I had a friend or family member who is visiting the city, I would suggest they do different tours related to art in any of its expressions, visit outdoor spaces and enjoy our vast gastronomy. The New York Times Style Magazine selected Miami in 2017 as one of the ten American cities to see and enjoy art in public spaces. Certainly, our beautiful port city is the setting for a large number of works of art by the most famous contemporary creators, for which I would invite you to take the following tour we did a few years ago guided by the art curator and critic Katherine Chacon: Start at Brickell Ave bridge, with the popular Manuel Carbonell column, walk to Bayfront Park to appreciate Isamu Noguchi’s iconic pieces, continue to MDC’s Wolfson Campus, on whose perimeter there are works by Ronald Bladen and Richard Van Buren, among others, then continue to the sculpture garden of the Pérez Art Museum to appreciate the works of artists such as Ernesto Neto, Jaume Plensa and Gonzalo Fonseca, there you can make a stop and sip a drink at the Museum’s café while enjoying the spectacular view of the Port of Miami. Continuing the walk, go to the Miami Design District and see Sol Lewitt’s pieces located on Biscayne Boulevard, ending the tour with the visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) and it’s contemporary sculpture garden featuring important pieces by Mark Handforth, Allora & Calzadilla and George Segal. . Another day you could go visit the Bass Museum’s Sculpture Garden in Miami Beach and later enjoy a delicious meal with a simply spectacular bay view at Amara at Paraiso on Biscayne Blvd. Throughout her stay, she would take you to visit parks such as the Pine Crest Garden, the Fairchild Botanical Garden and Deering State Park, in which nature and art are masterfully combined. If you like to try Latin flavors, I would invite you to do the pastelitos route or stroll leisurely at calle Ocho and have some Cuban coffee. I would close the week by going to eat in Key Biscayne at the Boaters Grill Restaurant, there you will eat fresh food from the sea with a view of the No name harbor and also enjoy an incomparable sunset. Sunsets in Miami are really spectacular.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes, of course, there are many people who deserve recognition in my story, first of all, my parents, they gave me all the opportunities that brought me here, they let me be whatever I wanted to. It is also important to recognize my husband’s unconditional support as well as my two sons. In the present there is also many people that continually brings their knowledge, experience, work and time to bring me their best advise and support and I’m feel so grateful that they have believed in me and Imago.

Website: https://imagoartinaction.com/
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Twitter: @imagoisonaction
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