NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale has opened a group exhibition titled “Close to Home,” featuring nearly two dozen artists with ties to Miami. Curated by museum director Bonnie Clearwater, Ariella Wollens, and guest curator Sinaí Rivera, the show centers on community, family, and friendship, with works depicting loved ones and close confidants. Artists include Roscoè B. Thické III, whose pieces honor his deceased grandmother and son; Josh Aronson, whose “Florida Boys” series documents young South Floridians in pastoral settings; and Richard Moreno, whose sculptures incorporate found animal parts and gothic aesthetics. The exhibition runs through an unspecified date, with a June 7 opening featuring a noise musician performing with one of the sculptures.
This exhibition matters because it highlights NSU Art Museum’s growing role as a champion of the Miami art scene, following its 2023 show “Future Past Perfect” that gave solo presentations to local artists. By bringing together diverse mediums and perspectives—from painting and photography to sculpture and performance—“Close to Home” argues that tight interpersonal bonds are essential to the local art ecosystem. It also allows visitors to track the artistic progression of participants from the earlier show, reinforcing the museum’s commitment to nurturing and showcasing South Florida’s creative community.