FREE AIR: Art, Ritual & Climate Action

The intersection of art, environmentalism and ritual comes alive through an immersive eco-art experience. FREE AIR: A Workshop of Art, Ritual & Climate Action takes place at Green Space Miami on Sunday, March 9, featuring award-winning artist John DeFaro.

This interactive workshop transforms everyday incense sticks into bold 3D eco-art pieces, challenging participants to examine the environmental impact of traditional practices. Using recycled paint and salvaged Miami-Dade County pine bases crafted by Nick Gilmore, attendees will create their own maquettes while exploring themes of environmental justice and cultural traditions.

The event begins with a community discussion at 3:30 p.m., led by special guests Niurca Marquez, a somatic educator and activist, and Nick Gilmore, a multidisciplinary artist. Their conversation will explore the concept of Axis Mundi—the symbolic connection between heaven and earth—while examining the relationship between cultural rituals and environmental responsibility.

Set in an inclusive space, the workshop draws inspiration from DeFaro's No Coffee Table sculptures currently on display at Green Space Miami, offering participants the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about environmental conservation while creating their own eco-art pieces.