Press Contact:
Brandon Diaz, LSSGB, MSM
Communications and Marketing Division
Phone: 786-737-6069
Email: BDiaz@southmiamifl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The City of South Miami to Unveil Alexander Mijares Murals at SoMi District Parking Garage
SOUTH MIAMI, FL – The City of South Miami is proud to announce the unveiling of a new public art installation by renowned Miami-born artist Alexander Mijares. The mural will be revealed on Thursday, December 11th at 6:30 PM at the SoMi District Parking Garage, located at 5829 Southwest 73rd Street, South Miami, Florida 33143.
This vibrant new addition to the SoMi District represents the City’s continued investment in arts, culture, and placemaking initiatives that enhance the visual landscape and celebrate the community’s rich identity.
Mijares’ mural features two striking Menina figures painted in his signature stained-glass style an artistic approach instantly recognizable across South Florida and beyond. The two figures are Mijares’ own modern interpretation of Las Meninas (The Maids of Honour), the iconic 1656 masterpiece by Diego Velázquez, housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid. In Velázquez’s legendary work, Infanta Margaret Teresa is surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting, dwarves, and court attendants, while a mirror reflecting King Philip IV and Queen Mariana introduces a centuries-long debate about perspective, reality, and the role of the viewer. Celebrated for its intricate interplay of light, space, and illusion, Las Meninas remains one of the most analyzed paintings in Western art, breaking from traditional royal portraiture and elevating the status of the artist himself.
In Mijares’ reinterpretation, the Meninas stand in quiet dialogue—expressive, contemporary, and deeply connected to the cultural pulse of South Miami. Rooted in heritage yet modern in execution, the figures honor the legacy of Velázquez’s masterpiece while breathing new life into its themes of identity, perspective, and connection.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: SoMi District Parking Garage - 5829 SW 73rd Street South Miami, FL 33143
RSVP: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/ckkE1aH/MijaresMural
Catering Sponsored by Cala Millor
Guests attending the unveiling will enjoy complimentary catering sponsored by Cala Millor, featuring a curated selection of Spanish-inspired dishes and beverages.
Artist Statement — Alexander Mijares, South Miami Installation
“In the heart of South Miami, where movement and color intertwine every day, these two figures stand in quiet dialogue—reflections of culture, resilience, and connection. Painted in my signature stained-glass style, each Menina embodies both strength and grace: one washed in green, symbolizing growth, hope, and renewal; the other in blue, representing depth, reflection, and peace. Facing one another, they become mirrors—a conversation between the spirit of our city and the people who give it life.
As a Miami-born artist with deep Spanish roots, this piece is a love letter to the place that shaped me. It bridges the rhythm of our Latin heritage with the evolving pulse of modern Miami a fusion that defines who we are.
Public art has always been about more than walls or columns; it’s about connection. It’s about pausing for a moment in the middle of everyday life—in a parking garage, in a busy city and feeling something. I hope these Meninas remind everyone who passes through that beauty, culture, and community are alive in every corner of South Miami.”
— Alexander Mijares
City officials, local businesses, community members, and art enthusiasts are invited to join the unveiling and celebrate the City’s growing public art program.
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