EVENTS AND MEDIATION PROGRAMS
During the exhibition Under the Spell of the Palm Tree: The Rice Collection of Cuban Art at the Tampa Museum of Art, a series of events were presented as part of both the museum’s and the exhibition’s mediation programs. Mediation played a fundamental role in enhancing visitors’ engagement with the exhibition: it fostered dialogue, introduced new perspectives, and strengthened the connections between the artworks, the museum’s audiences, and the broader Tampa community.
Below is a list of the events accompanied by a brief summary of each:
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Opening Reception: Under the Spell of the Palm Tree. The Rice Collection of Cuban Art
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Curator Walkthrough (Recorrido con la curadora) with Gaby Azcuy
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Artist Talk: Trabajar conjuntamente nos hace felices by René Francisco Rodríguez
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Juneteenth Cultural Celebration: Curator-Led Tour with Gaby Azcuy
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OPENING RECEPTION: UNDER THE SPELL OF THE PALM TREE. THE RICE COLLECTION OF CUBAN ART
Opening Reception
Under the Spell of the Palm Tree. The Rice Collection of Cuban Art
Tampa Museum of Art
February 6, 2025
On the opening day of Under the Spell of the Palm Tree: The Rice Collection of Cuban Art, an insightful conversation unfolded before stepping into the exhibition. Museum director Michael Tomor opened with his remarks, followed by collector Mitchell Rice, who reflected on the collection’s deep ties to Tampa and its community.
Joanna Robotham, curator of contemporary art at TMA, then led a discussion with curator Gabriela Azcuy, artists Sandra Ramos, Esterio Segura, Ernesto Javier Fernández, Jesús Hdez-Güero, Alexi Torres, and collectors Susie and Mitchell Rice. The conversation explored themes of migration, nostalgia, cultural symbolism, and artistic inspiration—offering a window into the powerful narratives behind the works on view.
From reflections on the royal palm tree as a symbol of Cuban identity to personal stories of loss and transformation, the dialogue highlighted how Cuban art continues to resonate across borders.
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Discussion Panel
Discussion Panel
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Discussion Panel
Exhibition Views
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Collectors Susie and Mitchell Rice
LECTURE: THE ART OF IDENTITY AND THE IDENTITY OF ART
Lecture – The Art of Identity and the Identity of Art: Contextualizing Under the Spell of the Palm Tree
Tampa Museum of Art
March 27, 2025 / 6:00-7:00 PM
Denis Rey, Associate Professor at the University of Tampa and Co-Director of the Center for José Martí Studies Affiliate, presented the lecture The Art of Identity and the Identity of Art: Contextualizing Under the Spell of the Palm Tree.
In his lecture, Rey traced the historical journey of Cuban emigrant communities, the independence wars, the Republican period, and post-1959 Cuba under Castro. Through this lens, he explored the context behind the works of artists like Pedro Pablo Oliva and José Bedia. As a Cuban with deep roots on the island, he also offered a personal perspective on Cuba today.
The lecture will be available on the Tampa Museum of Art’s YouTube page.
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The Art of Identity and the Identity of Art: Contextualizing Under the Spell of the Palm Tree
The Art of Identity and the Identity of Art: Contextualizing Under the Spell of the Palm Tree
The Art of Identity and the Identity of Art: Contextualizing Under the Spell of the Palm Tree
CURATOR WALKTHROUGH (RECORRIDO CON LA CURADORA)
Recorrido con la Curadora: Bajo el Hechizo De la Palma. La Colección Rice de Arte Cubano
Tampa Museum of Art
April 24, 2025 / 5:30- 6:15 PM
During the walkthrough, Gaby Azcuy offered insights into the curatorial process behind the exhibition—from the selection of works to the development of its six thematic sections. She also reflected on the evolution of the collection and the collaborative relationship with its collectors. Her tour offered a unique opportunity to explore the conceptual framework of the show and the collection’s journey over more than a decade.
Gabriela Azcuy (b. Havana, 1989) is a curator, cultural manager, editor, and lecturer. She is the chief curator of The Rice Collection and The Cuban Arts Group.
Link to the Tampa Museum of Art event page
Watch the entire walkthrough in the video below. The video is in Spanish with English subtitles.
CHARLA EN LA GALERÍA CON RENÉ FRANCISCO
Charla en la galería con René Francisco: “Trabajar conjuntamente nos hace felices”
Tampa Museum of Art
April 24, 2025 / 6:15-7:15 PM
In this engaging talk, Cuban artist René Francisco Rodríguez shares his experience as both an artist and educator, presenting his collaborative teaching approach rooted in teamwork and the exploration of urban environments. The first event-class of this teaching practice, conducted with a group of students from the Instituto Superior de Arte (Havana, 1990), was named “Desde una Pragmática Pedagógica” (DUPP)—”From a Pedagogical Pragmatics”—highlighting its inherently practical and reflective approach to knowledge as both a practice and a critical metaphor for its historical nature. This teaching method evolved through various stages until 2012 and has since been implemented in different contexts and universities worldwide.
René Francisco Rodríguez (b. Havana, Cuba, 1960) is a renowned Cuban artist known for his multidisciplinary approach, which includes painting, installation, and conceptual art. His work often explores themes of identity, politics, and the relationship between art and society. A graduate of the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, René has exhibited his works internationally, contributing significantly to contemporary Cuban art. His pieces challenge traditional boundaries, blending elements of Cuban culture with global influences, reflecting both his personal experiences and broader socio-political contexts.
Link to the Tampa Museum of Art event page
Watch the full talk in the video below
COLLECTOR'S CHAT: THE RICE COLLECTION OF CUBAN ART
Collector’s Chat: The Rice Collection of Cuban Art
Tampa Museum of Art
May 8, 2025 / 6:00 -7:00 PM
The Tampa Museum of Art hosted a special Collector’s Chat with Susie, Mitchell and Jacob Rice in conversation with curator Joanna Robotham. Guests heard about the range of works on view from the collector’s perspective and learned how the Rice Family grew its collection in both scope and media. The conversation highlighted the many artists who have inspired the Rice Family to collect art.
WORKSHOP: EXERCISING SYMMETRY WITH JOSÉ BEDIA
Next Level Workshop: Exercising Symmetry with José Bedia
Tampa Museum of Art
June 7, 2025 / 1:00 -3:00 PM
In this workshop, José Bedia guided students in understanding the power of symmetry, as informed by many traditional and ethnographic cultures throughout the world, which incorporate symmetrical designs into their artistic creations. Using a direct hands-on approach, students departed from the traditional paradigm of working solely with their dominant hand and instead explored using both hands simultaneously to create unique visions. Works on paper using acrylic paint were created to shift the traditional understanding of perspective in art and gain a closer understanding of non-Western motifs and symbolisms.
Exercising Symmetry with José Bedia
Exercising Symmetry with José Bedia
Exercising Symmetry with José Bedia
Exercising Symmetry with José Bedia
Exercising Symmetry with José Bedia
Exercising Symmetry with José Bedia
Exercising Symmetry with José Bedia
Exercising Symmetry with José Bedia
LECTURE: FIRST-HAND FIELD WORK
Lecture: First-Hand Field Work with José Bedia
Tampa Museum of Art
June 8, 2025 / 1:30 -2:30 PM
The presentation explored Bedia’s main artistic influences, spanning different native and tribal communities throughout the world, and showcased the resulting works and creations from these “field work” investigations. Personal examples and images of his travels, as well as works created directly after these journeys, were shared and discussed.
José Bedia (Cuban, b. 1959) has been a leading figure in transforming contemporary Cuban art for over three decades. His role in the landmark 1981 exhibition Volumen Uno marked the beginning of a radical shift in the island’s artistic landscape. Since then, Bedia’s work has garnered international acclaim, from his inclusion in the influential 1989 exhibition Magiciens de la Terre in Paris to receiving First Prize at the Beijing Biennale in 2010. His work is represented in major private and public collections, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Whitney Museum of American Art; the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; the Tate Modern, London; and Pérez Art Museum Miami. In recognition of his career, the Fowler Museum in Los Angeles presented a 30-year retrospective of his work.
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Lecture: First-Hand Field Work
Lecture: First-Hand Field Work
Lecture: First-Hand Field Work
Lecture: First-Hand Field Work
Lecture: First-Hand Field Work
Lecture: First-Hand Field Work
Lecture: First-Hand Field Work
Lecture: First-Hand Field Work
Lecture: First-Hand Field Work
JUNETEENTH CULTURAL CELEBRATION: CURATOR-LED TOUR WITH GABY AZCUY
Juneteenth Cultural Celebration: Curator-Led Tour with Gaby Azcuy
Tampa Museum of Art
June 14, 2025 / 2:00 -2:30 PM
As part of the Juneteenth celebrations at the Tampa Museum of Art, curator Gaby Azcuy led a special walkthrough of the exhibition Under the Spell of the Palm Tree, highlighting and celebrating the African heritage in Cuban art. Visitors explored powerful works by José Bedia, Manuel Mendive, Belkis Ayón, and Wifredo Lam in greater depth.
The full transcription of the talk is available on our blog.
