Locust Projects — Miami’s leading alternative art space — hosted its Annual Benefit Dinner honoring the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s transformative impact on the arts in Miami and celebrating internationally renowned food and art pioneer Antoni Miralda.

The 120-person sold-out event took place in the Rubell Museum East Wing and featured a 150-ft long custom-made infinity-shaped table and centerpieces designed by Miralda and immersive videos of the artist’s past works from the 1960s to the present.

“With a distinct mission to support the creation of cutting-edge new work by local, national, and international artists at all career stages, there’s no more fitting artist for Locust Projects to honor than Miralda, an internationally-renowned experimental artist for more than sixty-years who has made Miami their part-time base since 1982,” said Lorie Mertes, Locust Projects’ Executive Director.

The experience included a dramatic curtain reveal, pea-flower colored “InfiniTEA” offering drinks, magenta colored light infusing the space, a performative placing of chairs by waiters in headlamps, and lighted food carts for each course—all choreographed to a series of wall-sized video projections of Miralda’s work accompanied by Luis Vargas on the marimba. Lighting design by Josep M. Civit.

The event was co-chaired by Debra Scholl, Munisha Underhill, and Susan and Richard Arregui. Major sponsors include Alan and Diane Lieberman, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Richard and Susan Arregui, and Craig Robins. 

The convivial gathering included artists, Locust Projects board members, and a wide array of Miami’s art collectors and patrons. The creative multicourse menu by Le Basque Catering was created in collaboration with Miralda and his longtime partner and chef, Montse Guillén to reference Miami’s cultural and culinary influences. At every table was a small pot of locust (projects) powder to season each dish as a nod to the 24-year old arts organization.