The History of Miami

Artist and FIU Honors College professor John Bailly will lead a lecture exploring the layered and often unexpected history of South Florida’s most iconic city. Hosted at the Deering Estate, The History of Miami takes place on Sunday, April 6, offering attendees a thoughtful look at how Miami’s unique development reflects broader global patterns of cultural exchange, economic shifts and environmental change.

Drawing from his background in art, education and international travel, Bailly will present Miami as a case study of contrasts—where ecosystems collide, histories converge and identities are continuously reshaped. His multidisciplinary perspective, shaped by years of teaching and his role as the inaugural McCormick Fellow Artist-in-Residence at the Deering Estate, offers a compelling narrative that spans topics from urban development to art and wildlife encounters.

This event offers a compelling opportunity to understand how Miami serves as a frontline for what Bailly terms "the contemporary Grand Exchange," providing context for the city's unique place in today's interconnected world.