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THE RICE COLLECTION 

List of Artists | Exhibitions | Publications | Selected Works | Videos |

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The Rice Collection is a private collection, independent of the nonprofit organization The Cuban Arts Group. It comprises nearly 300 works, with a primary focus on contemporary Cuban art, alongside works by artists of diverse nationalities, generations, and aesthetic perspectives. Committed to public engagement, the collection is available for institutional loans and collaborative projects. Institutions, scholars, and curators interested in borrowing works or learning more about the artists and artworks in the collection are invited to contact us through the contact form or by direct email at  cubanartsgroup@gmail.com​

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Susie and Mitchell Rice.jpg

Susie and Mitchell Rice

THE RICE COLLECTION

​By Gabriela Azcuy and David Horta

 

Susie and Mitchell Rice have been spiritually enriched by their relationship with art and artists, ever more profoundly as their collection expands and evolves. We can trace its itinerary back to the earliest travels of these tireless wanderers, both at home and overseas. Every new trip would yield not only photographs and memories, but often a painting or a print from a local artist.

 

When it comes to art, the family’s first visit to Cuba in 2013 was as memorable as it was pivotal to their vocation as collectors. Cuban art became a gateway to embrace the heart and mind of a fascinating culture and its people. Collecting was no longer a hobby, but a passion, and over time the Rices would fall completely “under the spell” of Cuban art. 

 

For a decade, Susie and Mitchell’s Cuban Art Collection has been growing consistently in scope and quality, now treasuring the works of more than seventy artists from different generations and aesthetics. It has become an always open, living process; a voyage of self-discovery that goes beyond the sheer pleasure of finding, acquiring, treasuring, and enjoying the contemplation and discussion of artworks in the company of relatives and friends. Sharing ideas and experiences with artists and fellow collectors has become a ritual that deeply enriches the practice of collecting, while also sparking connections with new friends and advocates. Thus, the Rice’s quest has progressed from spontaneous and intuitive exploration to knowledge…from serendipity to conscious search…from enjoyment to commitment…all culminating in a strong emotional bond.

 

Susie and Mitchell Rice are dedicated to “expanding and enhancing the collection’s ability to represent the breadth and richness of Cuban art.” They wish to share their collection with the public “through thoughtfully curated exhibitions and a diverse educational arts program,” as well as via loans and the publication of books, among other initiatives that will help to make Cuban art and artists more visible beyond the nation island. This is the impetus behind their creation and continuous support of the non-for-profit foundation, The Cuban Arts Group.

 

As a vision for the future, it is Susie and Mitchell Rice’s aspiration, in their own words, “to create a permanent exhibition platform, such as a museum or cultural center. By way of such a  public setting, it would be our dream to share our passion for Cuba, its complexity, rich culture and history, all as documented through the eyes of Cuban artists.”

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​Explore the Collection:
List of Artists

Exhibitions

Publications

Selected Works

Videos

LIST OF CUBAN ARTISTS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

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Javier Ampudia (1985)

Belkis Ayón (1967–1999)

Waldo Balart (1931-2025)

Abel Barroso (1971)

José Bedia (1959)

David Beltrán (1978)

Cundo Bermúdez (1914–2008)

Tania Bruguera (1968)

Ivan Capote (1973)

Mario Carreño (1913–1999)

Ariamna Contino (1984)

Salvador Corratgé (1928–2014)

Rigo Casola (1961-2025) 

Liset Castillo (1974)

Marco Castillo (1971)

María Cienfuegos

Sandú Darié (1908–1991)

Juan Roberto Diago (1920–1955)

Juan Roberto Diago Durruthy (1971)

Humberto Díaz (1975)

Duo Ponjuán–René Francisco (1986–1996)

Adrián Fernández (1984)

Ernesto Javier Fernández (1963)

José Alberto Figueroa (1946)

Roberto Fabelo (1950)

Carlos Garaicoa (1967)

Yeins Gomez (1987)

Salvador González Escalona (1948)

Javier Guerra (1969)

Alex Hernández (1982)

Inti Hernández (1976)

Jesús Hernández (1983) [Guero]

Ricardo Miguel Hernández (1984)

Alberto Lago (1984)

Wifredo Lam (1902–1982)

Ernesto Leal (1971)

Glenda León (1976)

Vladimir de León Llaguno (1963)

Alexis Leyva Machado (1970) [Kcho]

Reynier Leyva Novo (1983) [Novo, Chino]

Maykel Linares (1979)

Kadir López (1972)

Kelvin Lopez (1976)

Jorge Lavoy (1988)

Jacqueline Maggi (1948)​​

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Raúl Martínez (1927–1995)

Manuel Mendive (1944)

José María Mijares (1921–2004)

Frank Mujica (1985)

René Negrín (1949)

Glexis Novoa (1964)

Pedro de Oraá (1931–2020)

Pedro Pablo Oliva (1949)

Osmeivy Ortega (1980)

Amelia Peláez (1896–1968)

Mabel Poblet (1986)

Eduardo Ponjuán (1956)

René Portocarrero (1912–1985)

Ángel Ramírez (1954)

Sandra Ramos (1969)

Niels Reyes (1977)

Nancy Reyes (1953)

Enrique Riverón (1902–1998)

René Francisco Rodríguez (1960)

José Rosabal (1935)

Lázaro Saavedra (1964)

Emilio Sánchez (1921–1999)

Tomás Sánchez (1948)

Esterio Segura (1970)

Esterio Segura Jr (2003)

Dolores (Loló) Soldevilla (1901–1971)

Rafael Soriano (1920–2015)

Alfredo Sosabravo (1930)

Stainless (2010)

Juan Suárez Blanco (1953)

The Merger (2009)

Alexi Torres (1976)

José Ángel Toirac (1966)

Gustavo del Valle (1985)

Antonio Vidal (1928–2013)

José Ángel Vincench (1973)

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EXHIBITION HISTORY

2025

Under the Spell of the Palm Tree. The Rice Collection of Cuban Art, Tampa Museum of Art. February-July, 2025. 

 

2024

Hybrid of a Chrysler at the Tampa Museum of Art. June 2024-December, 2027.

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2023

Under the Spell of the Palm Tree. The Rice Collection of Cuban Art, Harn Museum of Art, July 2023-January, 2024.

 

2022

Hybrid of a Chrysler at El Espacio 23, Miami. October 2022-July, 2023

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2020

​RBL GRL | Revolution Doesn’t Ask Permission, The Historic Thomas Center Galleries. February-June, 2020. 

 

2019

Cuban Ingenuity. The Artistry of the Everyday Inventor, Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention. February-June, 2019.

 

​The Art of Pedro Pablo Oliva, Harn Museum of Art. March-July, 2019 

 

2018

Pedro Pablo Oliva's CUBA: hiStories, Scarfone/ Hartley Gallery, University of Tampa. November-December, 2018.

 

Artes de Cuba. From the Island to the World, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. May, 2018.

 

2017

​57th Venice Biennale,  Cuban Pavilion,  Palazzo Loredan. June-July, 2017

 

Oye cómo va!, Dunedin Fine Art Center. January-March, 2017. 

 

Wild Noise, Bronx Museum of the Arts. February-July, 2017. 

 

2016

Complicated Beauty: Contemporary Cuban Art, Tampa Museum of Art. October, 2016-January, 2017.

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Growing up in Neverland, Scarfone/ Hartley Gallery, University of Tampa. March, 2016. 

SELECTED WORKS

VIDEOS

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