Art Saves Jaguars
Miami Transforms with Monumental Jaguar Sculptures by Brazilian Artists for Conservation
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Miami will become an open-air gallery in 2026 when 11 monumental jaguar sculptures — each designed by a Brazilian artist — are installed across the city as part of the Jaguar Parade theobserver.ca. The exhibition, produced by Artery, is timed to coincide with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when millions of visitors are expected to flood the city.
The event also marks the 15th anniversary of Onçafari, a Brazilian nonprofit that rewildes orphaned jaguars and manages 125,000 hectares of habitat across 23 bases in 9 Brazilian states markets.financialcontent.com. Every dollar of net auction proceeds goes directly to the group's conservation work.
Eleven Sculptures, One Soccer Team Concept
The Miami edition features exactly 11 large-scale jaguar sculptures — one for each player on a soccer team. The "JP Team" concept was built to resonate with World Cup crowds chathamdailynews.ca. Ten sculptures come from existing collections. One new piece was commissioned specifically for the World Cup theme.
Brazilian artist Fabiano Senk kicked off the event on June 9 with a live painting session on one of the monumental sculptures. The official public opening followed on June 10 parisstaronline.com. A gala reception is planned for June 22 at Emporium B Gallery. The auction closes July 30, with all net proceeds going to Onçafari.
Brazilian Artists Bring Amazonian Themes to Miami Streets
The artist roster spans a wide range of styles and backgrounds. Kássia Borges explores indigenous ancestry and nature. Livia Mourão and Rui Machado focus on Amazonian themes. Cíntia Abravanel, one of Brazil's most recognized artists, also contributed a piece thewhig.com. Other participants include Gus Attab, Laila Mackenzie, Busy, Guilherme Kramer, Lettice, Vinicius Zoia, and Sophie Reiterman.
Carol Barreto, CEO of Artery, said public art can "interrupt people's routines and create emotional connections" and that "those connections can open the door to important conversations about conservation" princegeorgepost.ca. The sculptures are free to view at key locations across Miami throughout the summer.
Onçafari Turns 15 With a Global Conservation Push
Onçafari was founded in 2011 by former Formula 1 driver Mario Haberfeld. The group trains jaguars to tolerate safari vehicles — making ecotourism a real alternative to ranching on jaguar territory thecragandcanyon.ca. This approach protects both the animal and the livelihoods of local communities. Haberfeld called the Miami event a "major milestone" that will help the group "expand our international presence."
The stakes are real. Jaguars are currently listed as "Near Threatened" on the IUCN Red List and have lost 50% of their historical range edmontonexaminer.com. The Jaguar Parade supports the Jaguar 2030 Conservation Roadmap, a regional plan to secure 30 priority jaguar habitats across Latin America by 2030.
From São Paulo to New York — A Parade With a Track Record
The Jaguar Parade is not new. The debut in São Paulo in 2019 featured 87 sculptures and reached roughly 10 million people on the streets cochranetimespost.ca. In New York City in 2022, 40 sculptures were placed at landmarks including the United Nations and the World Trade Center. The initiative has generated 336 million total media and digital impressions globally.
The Miami edition has support from Brazil's Ministry of Culture, the Brazilian Consulate General in Miami, and Miami-Dade County markets.financialcontent.com. Corporate sponsors include Natoo Pet Foods as the Diamond Sponsor, alongside VisionOne, FF Seguros, and Stella. Starting bids in previous auctions have opened at around $5,000 per sculpture.
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