Cornerstone’s Wynwood location attracted many people who sought the experimental aspects of art. Photo by Harold Koltun

It’s just after midnight on a Wednesday and North Miami Avenue is quiet save for a few people lingering outside of a decrepit-looking two-story building wedged between warehouses in Wynwood. Those driving past give little notice to the gathering or even the building that people pop in and out of in a steady stream. What they, and much of Miami, don’t know is that this small outpost is one of the few places artists can come to get a receptive audience for their poetry, painting, personal musings and songs usually practiced in the safety of their bedrooms. It’s a place for venting, experimenting and escaping the pretenses of a city steeped in transparent glamour.

This is Cornerstone and by the end of the week the nonprofit performance and art space will close its doors on Miami.

According to founder Josh Weiss, Cornerstone grew out of a personal revelation that art did not necessarily come with years of training, nor was it defined by the appreciation of mainstream observers and critics. Art, Weiss said, served the purpose of creating an original experience for the artist.

“[Art] doesn’t belong to everyone and I wasn’t one of those people,” Weiss said of his initial view of artistic expression. “Then I went through a powerful awakening and realized that the experimental aspect is what’s most important.”

After meeting several like-minded souls at a weekly event called Theatre de Underground at Churchill’s in Little Haiti, Weiss decided to move forward with his plans to create a spot where locals could express themselves without judgment or expectation.

“[Theatre de Underground] is more out in the open,” Oscar Fuentes said of the reason he, Weiss and partner Rio Chavarro decided to open Cornerstone. “We thought something more intimate with four walls would add something personal.”

So, with little experience but plenty of friends eager to help, Cornerstone was born in June of 2005. The format — Wednesdays Open Mic, Thursdays Singer/Songwriters and Second Saturdays Themed Art Shows — was an instant success with Miami’s underground troupe of performers. Local troubadours like Jesse Jackson, Raffa Jo and Brendan O’Hara made names for themselves honing their talents before captive audiences of fellow artists at Cornerstone.

“People have told us that Cornerstone was like a school for them,” Fuentes said. “They learned how to perform with a live audience. Cornerstone became their studio space and laboratory.”

Even spoken-word poets had a place at the newly minted spot and could work on perfecting their craft weekly.

“It’s a safe spot where I can come and experiment,” Alonso Menendez said after finishing a bilingual political reading. “Having places like this where I can experiment helps me focus in and teaches me what’s important in a piece.”

Cornerstone also attracted those who wanted to meet up with friends and watch something new and original in a place that charges no cover (donations are accepted) but offers plenty of low-key social interaction for the open-minded.

“The thing that’s really cool about this place is that the people get intimate,” said Mauricio Osso, a regular. “It’s such a close group of people so you get to meet people on a deep level. You could be having the worst week ever then come here to hear people’s thoughts and it gets you through the week.”

Fuentes said over the last two years everything has occurred at Cornerstone — from impromptu weddings to sexual revelations. The venue has even spawned its own hip-hop group, The Cornerstoners.

“One of the greatest things about the experience has been the organic nature of it,” Weiss said of the artistic free-for-all that takes place within the small space. “People have done what they’re called to do.”

Melanie Bartley, a film student at the University of Miami, was introduced to Cornerstone by friends and said she soon became enthralled with the atmosphere of the performance space. She went so far as to shoot her final college project, a documentary, about the ideas behind the space.

“I’ve never seen a place in Miami where people are so friendly and so happy to see you show up,” she said. “I was impressed and I wanted to let people, especially UM people, know the other side of Miami.”

But, despite the popularity of Cornerstone among Miami’s more expressive contingent, the time has come for the venue to call it quits, at least for a while.

“We are entering into the metamorphosis phase,” Weiss said, adding that lack of financial feasibility is one reason for the closing. “Sometimes you have to live what you are to become what you’re going to be.”

Fuentes said Cornerstone has become much more than just a location and that this is by no means an end.

“Now that we’ve all been bitten by the Cornerstone bug, we want to keep it alive,” Fuentes said. “I think what Cornerstone’s been going through has been a learning experience for all of us. We’re ready to organize and come back with a better place.”

Fuentes admitted that several new homes for the art space are under discussion though nothing is firm yet.

“I really hope they open another venue like that,” Bartley said. “There’s so much need to express and these people will continue to do so even if they have to do it on the streets.”

Cornerstone, 2013 N. Miami Ave., Miami, says farewell to its physical space starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 23.Call 786-426-9642 or visit www.myspace.com/cornerstonemiami.

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