An exhibition titled "Holding the Line" at Florida International University’s Miami Beach Urban Studios invites visitors to see soccer not just as a sport but as a cultural force that shapes community, resistance and play.
The show brings together a roster of emerging and established creators, among them FIU alumnae Gianna DiBartolomeo, MaryCarmen Leiva and Elyssa Llanso, alongside Miami‑based artists Tufty and Alissa Alfonso.
DiBartolomeo’s mixed‑media painting "Touch from Above (Field)" explores shared ground and connection, while Leiva’s digital animation "Where We Meet" captures the rhythm of play that unites participants. Llanso’s "Momentum" series presents portraits of influential female athletes, celebrating their achievements on and off the pitch.
Alfonso’s soft‑sculpture collection "Nature’s Medicine" reimagines resilience and healing through reclaimed materials, and Tufty’s "Peace, Love, Pitch" foregrounds the growing visibility of women in sports.
A Platform for Dialogue
Running through August 15, the exhibition is open to the public at the Miami Beach Urban Studios, with gallery visits schedulable by contacting curator Colette Mello at cmello@fiu.edu.