Art Basel may be over, but you can still catch one great interactive art experience here in SoFlo that’s stoking conversations on sea level rise by bringing the issue to people’s front yards.

The “Global Coastlines” project aims to create an underwater homeowners association down in Pinecrest. It’s the brainchild of Miami artist and activist Xavier Cortada.

Xavier said he drew inspiration from a number of experiences, including preservation work he’s done in Miami and by a trip all the way to Antartica, where he got a firsthand look at the effects of climate change.

We spoke with him about the project, and how people can get involved in his approach to showing how sea level rise will affect Miami.

THE PROJECT:  You can see an  exhibit with details on the entire installation at the Hibiscus Gallery at the Pinecrest Gardens alongside art related to climate change and sea level rise. But, the real work of art comprises dozens of homes and the entire Pinecrest community.

Pinecrest residents checked their elevation above sea level using a Florida International University app and sent in their stats to participate. Xavier then designed “Underwater HOA” signs to show the elevations on the front lawn of participating homes throughout the community. If people see a number showing that they’re only a few feet above sea level, Xavier hopes they’ll get a better sense of how rising waters will impact them in coming years. “It’s still decades away but we as a community and as homeowners need to get our heads out of the sand,” he said.

THE INSPIRATION: Campaign signs blanketing the community during this past election inspired Xavier to use that same approach in his art to stoke conversation about climate change.

But the idea really started when Xavier took a trip to Antarctica in 2006 as part of a National Science Foundation fellowship. While he was there, he saw how global warming was melting away the ice, which inspired the design for the yard signs.

The design shows a silvery, swirling elevation number resting on a white field, surrounded by blue that represents rising water.

WHAT’S NEXT: Join the Underwater HOA’s first meeting on Jan. 9 at the Pinecrest Gardens. Xavier plans to host similar meetings across the county, in cities including Sweetwater and Miami Beach.

Learn more about Xavier’s art and the underwater HOA at his website.

Almost half of the top 50 venture-backed companies in America in 2011 had at least one foreign-born founder, according to a report on the economic impact of immigrant entrepreneurs. And we know those founders and employees have some great stories to share. That’s why we want you to tell us your favorite businesses or organizations in Miami that are “Immigrant Powered” — a business or organization that would not exist or succeed without the impact of immigrants. “Immigrant Powered” businesses are founded, owned, managed by, or staffed by immigrants. They may also serve immigrants as their clients or constituencies.

We’re partnering with Immigrant Powered to highlight the positive economic impact of immigrant powered businesses in Miami, and we want your best suggestions on who to feature. Hit reply and let’s connect. We’ll share your “Immigrant Powered” stories in early 2019.

PRODUCED FOR IMMIGRANT POWERED BY OUR CREATIVE STUDIO

Big day for teacher pay. Plans for the voter-approved tax increase to pay Miami-Dade teachers kicked into action this week way ahead of schedule. The school board and the teacher’s union agreed to give some teachers and teacher assistants a 5 percent supplement in January. And the bigger one that was promised in the November referendum–between 12 and 22 percent–should come by next July. (Miami Herald)

Looking for answers. Researchers at the University of Miami’s medical school will shadow 1,000 transgender women in Miami and cities across the country to figure out why they face a higher risk of contracting AIDS and HIV. About 22 percent of transgender women in America are HIV positive, compared to less than 1 percent of the total population. The school’s study will look to identify potential causes and, hopefully, some solutions. (Miami New Times)

Caught on camera phone. A Miami Beach cop is off patrol duty and under investigation after cellphone video showed him punch and knock out an unarmed black man outside a South Beach restaurant. The incident happened back on Dec. 3, but Police Chief Dan Oates said he hadn’t seen the video until yesterday morning.  (Miami Herald)

Heat for the holidays. The Miami Heat might not be dominating on the court, but they are easily winning the competition for best apparel. After introducing their dope Miami Vice jerseys a few months ago, they’ve announced another variation on the jersey called “Sunset Vice.” It’s similar to the other gear, but hot pink instead of black. You can score the new merch on Dec. 19. (Miami.com)

From the 404 to the 305. After struggling to find venues to present and sell their art in Atlanta, 10 African-American women made their way to Art Basel last week and found some community here in SoFlo. The women connected with Franklin Sirmans, the director of the Pérez Art Museum Miami, and their work was shown there during Miami Art Week. “To see a room full of black women who are not only saying that they’re artists, but they’re living it — people I admired for so long — it was perfection,” one artist said. (New York Times)

THEY ARE THE CHAMPION

Congrats to Connie Crowther! Connie won a pair of tickets to “The Ultimate Queen Celebration” this Sunday at the Arsht Center!

To everyone else, stay tuned for future giveaways and make it a great Friday Jr.!

– The New Tropic