Ellie Schneiderman
We are deeply saddened to share that our founder, Ellie Schneiderman, passed away on April 18, 2020, after a long illness.
Ellie was a pioneer in our arts community, and a friend to many artists. In the 1980’s, a pivotal time for our visual arts community, Ellie, a potter, noticed a lack of studio space in South Florida. She found the right spot in the then-abandoned store fronts and run-down buildings on Lincoln Road. Under Ellie’s visionary leadership, what was then ArtCenter/South Florida managed to buy several buildings, providing a dedicated space for the arts that has been credited with catalyzing the resurgence of Lincoln Road. Over the years, her work has provided hundreds of Miami’s visual artists with the affordable space they need to create and bring art to life.
In 2018, Oolite Arts created The Ellies, Miami’s Visual Arts Awards, to honor her legacy and her desire to “help artists to help themselves.”
We are grateful for her leadership, guidance and friendship. Her impact will continue to be felt in Miami for years to come. Our hearts go out to her husband Neil, her family and friends.
Dates
1939 – 2020