The Cuban Arts Group:
​
Dedicated to enriching and strengthening cross-cultural connections through the arts of Cuba, The Cuban Arts Group, a 501 (c) (ô€„¾3) not-for-profit organization, is a collaborative effort between those passionate about the arts, and history, from the U.S. and Cuba. Founded in ô€„½ô€„»ô€„¼ô€…€2015 by Susie and Mitchell Rice, The Cuban Arts Group builds on cultural evolution that has taken place—and continues to grow—both on the island and throughout the U.S. Cuban diaspora. The organization’s mission is to educate Americans about Cuban arts and culture through thoughtfully curated exhibitions and a diverse educational arts programs including discussions, lectures, involving Cuban artists, art educators, curators, historians, and writers throughout.
​
OUR TEAM
SUSIE & MITCHELL RICE
Founders
Susie Levin Rice and her husband, Mitchell Rice, are respected figures in commercial real estate and active supporters of the arts in Tampa. As collectors, they have assembled a private collection of around 300 works of contemporary Cuban art. Separately, in 2015 they co-founded The Cuban Arts Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and expanding appreciation for Cuban art in the United States. Through this platform, they sponsor exhibitions, events, and educational programs that support Cuban artists and promote public engagement. While their private collection reflects their personal passion, their work with The Cuban Arts Group focuses on creating broader access to Cuban art and building lasting cultural connections.
GABY AZCUY
Chief Curator
Gabriela "Gaby" Azcuy (b. Havana, Cuba, 1989) is an art curator, cultural manager, editor, and lecturer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art History and a Master’s in Curatorial Studies, both earned with honors. In 2016, Azcuy began her tenure as curator for the non-profit organization The Cuban Arts Group and The Rice Collection, where she currently serves as chief curator. With over a decade of experience, she has curated more than thirty exhibitions and events across Cuba, the United States, and Europe, and her work bridges academic research, international collaboration, and the promotion of contemporary Cuban art.
DAVID HORTA
Associate Curator
David Horta (b. Pinar del Río, Cuba, 1973) is an independent curator, writer, and lecturer with expertise in film curation, archiving, and translation. He holds a degree in Education Sciences and has pursued postgraduate studies in cinema theory, art valuation, and conservation. Horta currently serves as associate curator and advisor for The Cuban Arts Group and Latin Art Core Inc. He has collaborated on numerous curatorial projects focused on Cuban and Latin American art and film, and his critical writings have appeared in art journals, catalogs, and cultural publications.
