Little Havana artist and muralist Diana “Didi” Contreras has shared a simple way to explore the neighborhood’s creative side without an admission fee: spend an afternoon walking Calle Ocho.
Her route starts near the 1300 block of Southwest 8th Street, where her working studio is located above Party Cake Bakery at 1356 SW 8th St. From there, visitors can head west and look closely at the murals and public art lining exterior walls and side streets along the corridor.
Near 16th Avenue, Contreras recommends visiting Futurama 1637 at 1637 SW 8th St., an arts hub with work by more than 40 local artists and a focus on Cuban art. Across the street, Molina Fine Art Gallery at 1634 SW 8th St. presents the Afro-Cuban work of Luis Molina and has operated since 2001.
The walk can end at Máximo Gómez Park, better known as Domino Park, near 15th Avenue. The longtime Calle Ocho gathering place offers a chance to watch domino games, hear music from the street and take in the daily rhythm of the neighborhood. Futurama 1637 is also a hub during Viernes Culturales, held on the last Friday of each month. Source: Coralgableslove.
