November 20, 2025 – January 25, 2026
On the occasion of the Miami Book Fair
When Fidel Castro opened the Mariel harbor to let Cubans sail for America, Edel Rodriguez and his family took their chance. From the town of El Gabriel to the Mariel port to a rickety shrimping boat bound for Florida, they joined the 1980 boatlift, becoming “worms,” as Castro called the departing Cubans.
Years later, Rodriguez told his story in a memoir conceived as a graphic novel, Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey. In stunning visual detail, Rodriguez tells of a boyhood in Communist Cuba, of a family’s courage and displacement, and of coming of age as an artist, activist, and American in Miami and New York.
As a salute to the Miami Book Fair, this exhibition brings together a large collection of original drawings from Rodriguez’s award-winning book, along with the source material, artifacts and photographs which inspired the author to write and illustrate his story.
About the Artist
Edel Rodriguez (Havana, 1971) graduated from Pratt Institute and later earned his MFA from Hunter College, in New York. Known for his bold, graphic style, his work often addresses themes of freedom, oppression, and the human spirit, drawing influence from his Cuban heritage and experiences as an immigrant.
His illustrations have graced the covers of major publications like Time and Der Spiegel, gaining international recognition.
Rodriguez’s art extends to paintings, sculptures, and installations, showcasing his versatility and commitment to social commentary through visual expression.
PRESENTED BY
Miguel (Mike) B. Fernandez and Family
With additional support from
Tere Shelton Bernace