Friends of The Underline today announced Daniel Marosi is the winner of the Art Deco-Inspired Bench Open Call for artists. 

Marosi, a South Florida artist, designer, and educator, was selected because of his innovative and visually captivating design that celebrates Miami’s rich Art Deco legacy while embracing functionality and inclusivity. 

This project is made possible by the generosity of local philanthropist Jessie Wolfson, in loving memory of her late husband, Bernard Wolfson. A visionary developer and passionate arts patron, Bernard curated the award-winning art collection at the Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell Downtown. The art deco bench will serve as tribute to his commitment to the arts and the city he loved. 

Marosi’s winning concept of the Bernard Wolfson Bench is a striking eight-foot high, heat-resistant bench—featuring elegant motifs that reference Miami’s iconic Art Deco aesthetic, ocean waves, and wildlife. With space to comfortably seat up to 18 visitors, the design merges aesthetic beauty with community utility, creating a welcoming place of rest and reflection for all.

“I am so excited to see Bernie’s passion for Art Deco design beautifully expressed through this public artwork,” said Jessie Wolfson. “The location is also personal to me. When visitors sit, they will have a view of Temple Judea, a place where we celebrated many life events.”

The winning bench will be permanently installed in Phase 3’s Stormwater Ponds near Granada Boulevard in Coral Gables. This section of The Underline is part of its innovative green infrastructure, which enhances environmental resilience by managing stormwater and flooding while also adding native tree canopy and pollinator plants.

The open call, launched by Friends of The Underline in partnership with the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, attracted a wide range of submissions from across the region. After an intensive review and selection process, three South Florida-based artists were selected as finalists: Carola Bravo, Daniel Marosi, and Troy Simmons. The final selection was made by The Underline’s Art Advisory Council (UAAC), working in collaboration with the Art in Public Places Professional Advisory Committee and Trust. 

With nine current art installations throughout the trail’s completed sections, and more to come, The Underline is a dynamic canvas for local and international talent, fostering greater cultural engagement and accessibility.ABOUT THE ARTIST
Daniel Marosi is the Design Director of Creative Order, his award-winning studio based in South Florida. With a passion for blending artistic vision with functional design, Marosi has collaborated with city governments, educational institutions, and public spaces nationwide. His work spans identity design, public art, and community-focused design solutions. More about his work can be found at www.creativeorder.info/about