Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Keeley.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amanda. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Hi! A little about me… I am a visual artist, cultural curator, and all-around book nerd! I grew up here in sunny South Florida and never envisioned moving back. Life took me around the world. I settled in NYC, ran a non-profit artist’s bookstore called Printed Matter, worked for Yoko Ono’s studio, had some very awesome adventures. I decided to return to Miami around six years ago when I realized how much was changing and how many opportunities there were to steer this growth. In other words, New York is my baby… but Miami is my boo!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Running a non-profit artist’s space is a challenging endeavor. Applying for grants, answering proposals, trying to respond to the requests to do programming, workshops, organize lectures, book signings, produce publications, and keep enough coffee and cheetos in the office is quite a feat! All of this on top of being a visual artist with a fully-functioning studio, keeps me on my toes. I am very lucky to have a dedicated team to help me fulfill these goals.
Please tell us about EXILE Books.
EXILE Books is a Miami-based arts organization promoting artist’s books and site-specific events such as exhibitions, performances, lectures, fairs, and workshops in order to advance circulation and engagement with artist’s publications. Headquartered in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, EXILE aims to establish a progressive print culture that represents and serves readers and book artists alike locally and across South Florida.
Thanks to the Knight Foundation and Awesome Foundation, this year we will focus on producing four thematic zine fairs around Miami!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Team EXILE! All the dedicated artists, designers, writers, illustrators, poets, and amateur cartographers we found along the way. The venues and their staff that hosted the pop-up shop. Friends and family. The neighborhood of Little Haiti that welcomed us. Too many to mention!!
Pricing:
- 3.00
- 500.00
Contact Info:
- Address: EXILE Books
5900 NW 2 Avenue
Miami, FL 33127 - Website: www.exilebooks.com
- Phone: 9179030907
- Email: info@exilebooks.com
- Instagram: @exilebooks
- Facebook: EXILE Books
Image Credit:
Amanda Keeley
Suggest a story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
