Coral Gables Proclamation: Marta T. Permuy Day
By Vince Lago, Mayor of Coral Gables
Originally published by the Coral Gables City Commission on August 24, 2022
Official City of Coral Gables Proclamation declaring Marta Permuy Day, 2022.
Office of the Mayor
The City of Coral Gables
Proclamation
WHEREAS, Marta T. Permuy was born on September 22, 1938 in Havana, Cuba to families committed to public service. Her father served as a Cuban judge and her mother's family sponsored a new church for their community in Cuba; and
WHEREAS, as a young law student. Marta boldly joined the clandestine Castro-resistance Movement to Recuperate the Revolution and became deeply involved in coordinating its activities, and when there she met her future husband, Jesus Permuy: During their twenty-year marriage, they raised seven children and instilled in them the values of public service and cultural patronage; and
WHEREAS, in 1972, Marta and Jesus launched Permuy Gallery, one of the first Cuban art galleries in the United States, located on the first floor of 1901 Le Jeune Road in Coral Gables. Permuy Gallery featured works by high-profile Cuban Vanguardia artists, such as Wifredo Lam, Amelia Peldez, and Victor Manuel. It also exhibited leading contemporary Cuban artists in exile, including Grupo GALA members Rafael Soriano, José Mijares, and Baruj Salinas. alongside emerging artists including Juan González and Emilio Falero. Among Permuy Gallery's lasting legacies is its wine-and-cheese Friday Gallery Nights tradition that continues in other Coral Gables galleries to this day; and
WHEREAS, Marta was guided by an open-hearted, humanistic philosophy that was welcoming of all people. regardless of background or socio-economic status, She opened her doors to emerging and struggling artists — exhibiting them alongside the work of established artists to raise their profile; and
WHEREAS, as a true pioneer of Latin American art in South Florida for over 40 years. Marta promoted artists. supported emerging talent, curated exhibitions, organized cultural and networking gatherings. and selflessly offered her own home as studio space to artists in need. Throughout her decades-long career she maintained her base in Coral Gables, helping it become the epicenter of Cuban and Latin American fine art in the United States. In 2021, the Coral Gables Historical Resources and Cultural Arts Department designated Marta's residence, the Permuy House located at 1544 Sopera Avenue, a local landmark in recognition of her cultural impact on Coral Gables:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, VINCE LAGO, as Mayor of Coral Gables, along with the members of our City Commission, do hereby proclaim September 22, 2022 as:
"MARTA T. PERMUY DAY IN CORAL GABLES"
IN OBSERVANCE THEREOF, as Mayor of the City of Coral Gables, along with the members of our City Commission, do honor Marta on the 50th
anniversary of the launch of Permuy Gallery and in recognition of her career's enduring legacy in the "City Beautiful".
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the City of Coral Gables to be affixed on this twenty-fourth day of August, A. D., 2022.
[Signed]
Vince Lago
Mayor
Michael Mena
Vice Mayor
Rhonda Anderson
Commissioner
Jorge L Fors, Jr.
Commissioner
Kirk R. Menendez
Commissioner