Located in the lobby of UNITED COMMUNITY Banking Center (formerly First National Bank of South Miami), each month The Wirtz Gallery exhibits local and international artists. Gallery hours are Monday – Thursday, 9a-4p; Friday, 9a-6p. Artist receptions are generally held on the second Friday of the month from 6-8p and are open to the public. The bank is located at 5750 Sunset Drive, South Miami.
THE WIRTZ GALLERY is named in honor of the Wirtz family patriarch Arthur M. Wirtz of Chicago. Wirtz made his fortune in real estate and liquor distribution; he created the business in 1922. The Wirtz Corp. also owns the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team and co-owns the United Center arena— where the Blackhawks and the Chicago Bulls play. When the gallery opened, it was reportedly the first bank in the United States to have a registered gallery within the institution.
During the month of June, the gallery hosts a collective exhibit by Blanca Caraballo, Sandra Garcia-Pardo and Aleli Egues. The exhibit is entitled “
Animi Motus
” translated to mean “motions of the soul.”
In July, the gallery will host works by the Creative Arts Center, a working artist studio by Oliver in Palmetto Bay. The studio serves as a creative hub for the community, offering classes, workshops, and events for kids, teens, and adults. The center is in collaboration with other artists and teachers who regularly come in to lead workshops and share their own creative approaches. For more information go to: https://CreativeArts.Center
Three recent works by Oliver which will be exhibited at The Writz Gallery are:
A solitary figure sits in a sea of empty red seats, a quiet tribute to the fading ritual of going to the movies. This piece reflects on the loneliness of being one of the last true fans of a dying medium, as cinema shifts from shared experience to streaming solitude.
A lone figure sits in a quiet corner of an everyday eatery, the kind of place where workers grab a quick meal. This piece recalls Edward Hopper’s
Nighthawks
, echoing that stillness and emotional distance. It reflects the quiet, often overlooked feeling of solitude that can surface when dining alone in public.
A solitary figure which appears caught in quiet contemplation, inviting the viewer to consider what weighs on the mind when no one is watching. It’s a moment of introspection suspended in silence.
AREA STAGE headquartered at Sunset Place is an award-winning theatre organization that offers world-class professional productions, a vibrant conservatory program, and opportunities for underserved populations and theatre artists of all abilities.
Founded by John and Maria Rodaz in 1989, the nonprofit organization began as one of the pioneers of the Miami Beach arts community on Lincoln Road. Since its inception, Area Stage has presented a mix of contemporary and classic plays, world premieres, and immersive theatrical experiences, quickly “changing the perception and standards of what South Florida’s theatres can and should be,” according to the Sun-Sentinel, which described the organization as “one of the most influential theatres in the region.”
2025 SUMMER SEASON
TARZAN opens this July in the Area Stage’s Black Box Theatre, From the theatre company that brought you critically-acclaimed immersive productions Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid comes a bold new theatrical adventure… Step into the world of Tarzan, a reimagined Disney classic directed by Giancarlo Rodaz and staged as a fully immersive experience. Featuring Tony-nominated music by Phil Collins, this production brings audiences right in the middle of the action as the story of Tarzan and Jane unfolds all around. For show times and ticket information go to Area Stage | Theatre and Conservatory | Miami, FL 33143