Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuval Ofir.
Yuval, one of the rare born and raised Miamians who consciously decided to stay in his hometown, started out at the family-owned and operated perfume distribution company established by his grandpa in 1979, With an early immersion in the business world, and a borderline fanatical love of his city, it was maybe inevitable that after graduating from the University of Miami and moving to Edgewater in 2009, he would get sucked into the burgeoning arts and creative culture blossoming at the time.
His passions, spurred by working in (and living near) the graffiti-filled environs of Wynwood led the way for him into the local art world. Little by little, he developed a network of people that would eventually foster the creation of Yo Miami.
Since its formal inception in 2011, Yo Miami has grown into a nexus of South Florida talent, including visual artists, musicians, comedians, restaurants, bars, breweries, food trucks, and a plethora of other organizations/fields.
Today, they strive to serve as a bridge between creative people and people in need of creativity; developing opportunities for emerging and mid-career talent to grow and find their footing leading them to the next level of their careers.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not (which one’s worth traveling are?). I’ve been running Yo Miami on the side of the family business since its inception, for the most part on my own. Which means a lot of juggling, and a lot of perseverance.
There are inevitably negative experiences you encounter dealing with people in Miami, maybe more prominently in the arts/hospitality/nightlife industries. I’m thankful that I’ve managed to work with some of the best people in town who are striving to improve our communities though, and try to focus on the good and let go of the people who end up proving to just be using others as stepping stones towards their own glorification in the name of crusading for our culture.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Yo Miami – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
-We curate murals for businesses, community organizations etc. (Wynwood Brewing Co., Whole Foods Market Downtown Parking Garage, Little Haiti Mural Project)
-We also curate artwork for businesses (Concrete Beach Brewery monthly featured artist)
-We produce events around town (Gringo Bingo at Wood Tavern, Last Call Comedy Show, Miami Comedy Mondays at 305 Brews, Miami Time Open Mic at 305 Brews etc.)
-We also run a space in Little Haiti called Yo Space Gallery & Studios which has 7 resident artist studios, and we currently host 3 monthly events: Just the Tip Comedy Show (1st Sunday), Average Joe Sunday Market (2nd Sun), and Sh!ts n’ Giggles Open Mic & Sticker Swap
-We’re probably most known for out recurring events, as well as our involvement with murals throughout Wynwood and Little Haiti.
-We’re most proud of the fact that we’ve managed to maintain our integrity for the last 6 years while working towards our mission of supporting local creative talent, and fostering a community that is more than the sum of its parts.
-I’d say what sets us apart is how diverse our network of collaborators are, spanning so many different industries/walks of life.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Best: The diversity and opportunities for anyone to build something from nothing if they work hard enough, make the right connections, and get a little lucky. (oh yea and the weather ain’t bad either)
Least: The superficiality that permeates most industries. People getting sucked into the hype of the latest trendy place or activity while ignoring the true culture that has been lurking under the surface for decades and constantly evolving.
Contact Info:
- Address: Yo Space Gallery & Studios
294 NE 62nd St.,
Miami, FL 33138 - Website: www.yo-miami.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @itsyomiami
- Facebook: YoMiami
- Twitter: @itsyomiami
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/yo-space-miami
Artist Monz, photo cred: Mike Doyle
Artist Surge, photo cred: Alessandro Abate
Gringo Bingo at Wood Tavern
Artist Nate Dee, photo cred: Alessandro Abate
Comedian Plus Pierre at Just the Tip Comedy, photo cred: Yes And Photography
Comedian Lindsay Glazer at Last Call Comedy Show, photo cred: Yes And Photography
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.
