Venezuelan artist Alejandra Abad speaks with poetic passion when describing her extensive body of work. The interdisciplinary visual artist delivered a compelling talk and an “Interactive Memory Gathering Session” at the Coral Springs Museum of Art on Thursday, May 9. 

The free talk was part of the museum’s MIX Happy Hour series.

Sharing childhood memories of her grandfather’s garden and a lifelong appreciation for nature, Abad’s art is a magical mixture of light, abstract visuals, projection, mystical folklore, and wonder.

“Magical realism is one of my methods,” said Abad. “We are still human and storytellers, and I like to weave that with animation. I draw and take photos all of the time. We’re all connected, but we don’t know it.”

With her well-rounded arts education studying film, video, new media, and animation at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Interdisciplinary Media Art Practices at the University of Colorado, and architectural studies at Florida Atlantic University, she has a knack for drawing audiences into her art. 

Whether she’s creating a ginormous coloring book for communities of people to come together or collecting audio and visual stories of finding refuge in Florida amid the breathtaking landscape of the Everglades, Abad is inspiring a global conversation. She fosters cohesive collaboration vibes during the often detached feeling living in the age of artificial intelligence can bring. “I think nature is magic,” Abad told her audience. “I’m interested in the human makeup of our stories. We all have a story.”

The assistant professor at Florida Atlantic University has also mastered the art of using animation and projections to bring natural flora and fauna to unexpected urban spaces to inspire and bring awareness to environmental causes. 

Valentina Belletti, originally from Milan and a member of the Coral Springs Museum of Arts’ Artist Guild, attended Abad’s “Water State Talk” and she planned to share her story with the artist. “Art is a big passion of mine, and sharing our stories is so important,” said Belletti, who recalled that she spent many years scuba diving in Italy’s sparkling lakes. “When I draw, do yoga, or play piano, you dive deep into emotions. When I look at art, the same thing happens.”

Abad continues to seek story submissions for her latest “Water State” project and said that many untold stories remain to be discovered within Florida’s tropical palm trees and underneath its sunny skies. 

She is hoping others will share memories of home and belonging in Florida. 

 “What do you think of Florida as a refuge? Is it the place you sleep?  Is it about the trees that provide shade? What type of memories do you have of these spaces, and would you like to share them with me?” 

She told the group: “If you do, we can do a virtual story or consent to be part of the animation, and I can record your story. Now, I invite you to work with me.” 

Visit alejandraabad.com to share your story. 

Coming up next in the MIX series is “Memory Quilt Community Project: Free Interactive Gathering Session” with artist Kristin Beck beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 18 at the museum. Find out more here. 

This story was produced by Broward Arts Journalism Alliance (BAJA), an independent journalism program of the Broward County Cultural Division. Visit ArtsCalendar.com for more stories about the arts in South Florida.