Our 1st Pop-Up Event was dedicated to the late local tattoo artist Yaritza "Yaya" Rollan. Her work was displayed along with 30 local artists.

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Our first Pop Up Art Gallery event took place in the month of Yaya’s birthday in memory of her life and art. Over 30 local South Florida artists in recovery, allies of the movement, families suffering the plight of substance use disorder, and families of loss displayed, as well as their work was auctioned for our cause. We began our first pilot art program series as of January 2021 with Artist Javi Cuarezma running through May 2021 along with the recent addition of our Creative Writing series launched March 2021 by Susana Ramirez from Save the Sharks. Over 13 art students from Reaves house poured their hearts onto canvas and displayed their work for the first time. We secured donations as of December 2020 of art easels and supplies that the women at Reeves House used to build and display their work. Reeves House is a non-profit, women's only community treatment center in the heart of Miami with over 50 years of passionate work in trying to get our girls off the streets and back to living healthy lifestyles. 

 

The theme was Dia de Los Muertos, Reincarnation, and Rebirth; all styles/motifs reflected in Yaya’s legacy in the arts. Pieces created by Yaya in her lifetime were also displayed in celebration of her life. Artists submitted their best work to auction or sell through on-site silent auction and live online auction. We also hosted live Narcan training/distribution as part of our community harm reduction program. Live Music by DJ Simdica and Eric Guitian from Mind&Melody were part of our event along with Live Slam Poetry by Fred DiMarco & Susana Navajas from Save the Sharks.

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Proceeds went to the following:

Reaves House to further aid in the continuous upkeep of art programs and all relative activities Yaya Por Vida will help to create and sponsor (inpatient and outpatient). Complimenting said activities as a tool of healing along with Reaves’ wraparound treatment plan will promote successful treatment completion as well as successful, sober living.

Yaya Por Vida Foundation will be provided to the local community for those seeking overdose prevention tools, substance use recovery, in treatment, in active recovery, families dealing with a struggling loved one, or those that have suffered the loss of a loved one due to substance abuse to find healthy, positive outlets of expressions in the arts with cultural competency in mind.

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Yaya Por Vida is proud to be part of Radical Partners' 10 Days of Connection. "In recent years, people have become increasingly divided across lines of difference. Incidents of hate have increased, and tolerance for differing ideas has decreased. For ten days each year, we challenge the entire community to do the opposite: break down silos and engage in acts of connection, build empathy, increase understanding, and refocus on our shared humanity.

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The 10 Days of Connection has taken place in Miami-Dade and Broward counties from May 1st through May 10th since 2017. It is co-hosted by more than 100 organizations and there are dozens of opportunities to connect with others across lines of difference. Our community is stronger as we all commit to focusing on what unites us instead of what divides us. Our Pop Up Gallery has the honor to have our event be a part of this very important community initiative based on inclusion, diversity, and equity. 

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We want to thank Archive29 for sponsoring and hosting our event. This event took place on May 8th, 2021, from 3 pm to 7 pm at Archive 79 Gallery, 170 NE 79 Street, Miami, FL 33138.

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