Local Information for NCSA Miami -- April 3-5, 2008

Conference Events: Included in your registration fee is a reception at the Wolfsonian-FIU, followed by a tour of its galleries that will include some items selected especially for us. The Wolfsonian is one of the foremost design museums in the world, with outstanding collections of political and propaganda art; it is a treasure of which Florida International University is justifiably proud. For more information on the Wolfsonian, go to www.wolfsonian.org. the Bass Museum of Art, on 21st and Collins in Miami Beach, also has an outstanding exhibit titled "Promises of Paradise: Staging Mid-Century Miami,"which recounts with magnificent examples the architecture, furniture and clothing design, and general visual culture of the "Miami modern" movement and its accessories. (There are even some illustrations of a proposed World's Fair kind of site that was never built. Instead, the land was used for the FIU campus.) This exhibit will be at the museum until April 13, so it is a worthwhile sidetrip for conferees.

Our optional excursion on Saturday afternoon will take us to Everglades National Park for a 2-hour narrated tram tour through a fifteen-mile loop in the heart of the "river of grass." The route offers an outstanding opportunity to experience the Everglades' unique environment and to view alligators and other indigenous animals and birds, both from the tram and from an observation tower with a spectacular view into the sawgrass marsh. On the way to the Park, an expert will provide us with an overview of Everglades history and the politics of preservation. Participation is limited to the first 70 registrants, so reserve early!

Please note that we have organized the Everglades trip in place of the previously planned boat tour of Biscayne Bay. It promises to be at least as fascinating, and will cost a bit less. If you have already registered for the conference and would like to add this option, please get in touch with Lauren Christos at christol@fiu.edu.

Location: Those of you who attended our 1996 conference may remember that there was considerable construction going on around the Newport. It is now complete, and you might not recognize Sunny Isles Beach today, with all the highrise condos surrounding the hotel. Of course, you can't build on the ocean, and the beautiful poolside and beachfront still provide great views and a wonderfully relaxing experience. Across Collins Avenue you'll find many shops and restaurants; you'll have a substantial list of suggestions in your conference packet.

In addition, Collins Avenue goes all the way down to South Beach, with its Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road cafés, historic Art Deco district and Espanola Way, and excellent people-watching. The Wolfsonian is right in the heart of South Beach, and although a bus will be waiting to go back to the hotel after the Friday evening gallery tour, we encourage anyone who wants to stay late and explore to come back by taxi or a Collins Avenue bus. Info on public bus transportation will be available at the conference.

Getting in touch: Please contact Lauren Christos at christol@fiu.edu with any questions you may have. We look forward to greeting you in Miami!