Who we are
The voices and experiences that surround Casa Atelier form an essential part of its identity. Together, they constitute a living framework; one that continues to develop through collaboration, reflection, and time.
Jade Matarazzo
Founder & Direction
Jade Matarazzo is a cultural producer and art strategist whose work is centered on long-term artistic development and international cultural exchange. Over the course of her career, she has conceived and directed platforms that connect artists, institutions, and communities across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, creating sustained contexts for artistic practice, dialogue, and circulation.
She is the founder of Casa Atelier and Casa Brasil Miami, and co-founder of Colecta, initiatives that reflect her commitment to building cultural structures, residencies, collaborative programs, publications, and public projects—that privilege process, continuity, and meaningful exchange. Trained at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art, she brings a curatorial perspective to her work while maintaining a broader strategic focus on context, positioning, and cultural impact.
Her practice reflects an ongoing dedication to fostering thoughtful cultural ecosystems in which artists and ideas can evolve with clarity, responsibility, and care.
Kevin Kirstein
Co-Founder & Head of Partnerships
Kevin’s career spans finance and contemporary culture, combining strategic rigor with a nuanced understanding of creative ecosystems. He built his career in financial services at Evercore and the Royal Bank of Canada, focusing on high-touch client engagement, market strategy, and relationship-driven growth.
As Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships at Casa Atelier, Kevin leads collaborations with institutions, galleries, brands, and the collectors and patrons who support them. His work centers on artist-driven initiatives and cultural programming that align artistic integrity with long-term strategic value, shaping Casa Atelier’s evolving role within the contemporary art landscape.
Carol Damian, Ph.D.
Curatorial Advisor
Carol Damian, Ph.D., is an art historian and curator with an extensive career in museum leadership and academic research. She is the former Director of the Frost Art Museum and former Chair of the Department of Art and Art History at Florida International University. Her work has focused on modern and contemporary art, with particular emphasis on Latin American and Caribbean practices.
As Curatorial Advisor at Casa Atelier, Dr. Damian engages with resident artists through critical dialogue and advisory sessions, supporting the development of their research and practice within a broader art-historical and institutional context. Her contribution strengthens Casa Atelier’s commitment to thoughtful mentorship, intellectual rigor, and sustained artistic growth.
Silvana Soriano
Mentor Miami
Silvana Soriano is a Brazilian visual artist and educator whose practice spans drawing, painting, and textile work. With extensive experience in education and community-based programs, she supports artists through mentorship focused on process, identity, and cultural heritage.
Her work has been exhibited internationally, and her pedagogical practice emphasizes artistic expression as a tool for connection and transformation.