Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Keeley.
Amanda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
EXILE is a non-profit artist’s bookstore that started in 2015. The store was a pop-up store that traveled to over 20 locations throughout Miami over a three year period and finally landed in Little Haiti with our first permanent storefront! We continue to host free workshops and events, all celebrating our city’s dynamic print culture!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Running a small non-profit art space is very challenging, working on grants to maintain active programs and community outreach is nonstop and would not be possible without a strong support team and staff.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about EXILE Books – what should we know?
EXILE Books is the only bookstore in Miami that specializes in artist’s books and printed matter. These books are works of art, in and of itself. They usually are self-published, are meant to be accessible and widely distributed which allow’s an artist’s work to reach a new audience. We also specialize in zines, which are small affordable DIY publications and organize the annual Miami Zine Fair in April of every year. We offer year-round programming and host free workshops, lectures, presentations and exhibitions that are free and open to the community.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Our engagement with the community. We have had four years of successful programming and events, which continues to bring new audience bases together in appreciation of artist’s publications. This sense of connection, the spirit of collaboration and discovery, is what brings people back to EXILE again and again.
Pricing:
- We have a wide range of prices from zines that are $3 to signed rare artist’s books that are $500.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5900 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33127 - Website: https://exilebooks.com/
- Phone: 1-917-903-0907
- Email: info@exilebooks.com
- Instagram: EXILEBooks
- Facebook: EXILEBooks
- Twitter: EXILEBooks
Image Credit:
EXILE Books
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
