Laura Novoa
Laura Novoa entered the Wikipedia workshop with a blend of excitement and nerves. A Miami-based curator and art administrator, her apprehensions centered around understanding the intricate “rules” that govern creating and editing articles on the platform. "I was nervous about not understanding all the 'rules' for creating and/or editing an article," she admitted. The thought of publishing something that didn’t meet the community's standards weighed on her mind, as did the fear of not doing justice to the person she chose to write about. "I was also nervous about not doing the person I wrote about justice with my article," Laura shared, revealing the deep care she brought to her work.
“I was nervous about not doing the person I wrote about justice with my article.”
Her exploration into the world of Wikipedia began with the concepts of neutrality and verifiability, which were fundamental to the platform’s approach. "Neutrality is the ability to create/edit a page with as much objectivity and as least bias as possible," she explained. As a curator, Laura was accustomed to weaving narratives and interpreting art, but this new form of writing required a delicate balance. Verifiability, she learned, was about "the ability to connect/link statements in your article to specific, well-regarded sources." This focus on sourcing reminded Laura of her curatorial work, where every statement must be rooted in research and backed by credible references.
With these lessons in mind, Laura embarked on her first major project: an article about Barbara N. Young, an art librarian, curator, and administrator at the Miami-Dade Public Library System. Laura described her subject as "an overall badass lady that has and continues to promote, guide, elevate, and support Miami-based artists." This project was personal for Laura—Young’s work aligned with her own mission to uplift artists in her community, and writing her story felt like both an honor and a responsibility.
The most important lesson Laura took from the workshop was the emphasis on verifiability and reliability. "The types of sources required to successfully create and edit an article" were new tools she could add to her professional toolkit. Wikipedia’s rigor around sourcing also reshaped her initial assumptions. "I thought that anyone could create/edit a Wikipedia page," she admitted. But the experience quickly showed her that editing was a meticulous process, rooted in research and fact-checking.
Reflecting on how Wikipedia compared to her curatorial practice, Laura found striking similarities. "Wikipedia is like my curatorial practice in that it requires in-depth research and thinking about the topics, people, and themes I am exploring," she noted. Both worlds required a commitment to accuracy, context, and a deep understanding of the subject at hand. For Laura, Wikipedia became another space to practice her craft, not through exhibitions or installations, but through thoughtful, well-sourced entries.
“Wikipedia is like my curatorial practice in that it requires in-depth research and thinking about the topics, people, and themes I am exploring.”
As she delved deeper into the community aspects of Wikipedia, Laura was surprised by what she found. "Wikipedia is not what I imagined it to be," she wrote. "It’s a group of people doing things, and I’m still trying to figure out what that means and how it happens." Wikipedia’s collaborative, decentralized nature was a revelation for Laura, who saw the platform as "a community that contributes and works towards a common goal, which is to make information easily accessible and decentralized." This shared mission resonated with her as a curator, whose work often revolves around fostering artistic communities.
Laura’s vision for Wikipedia extended beyond her own practice to the broader Miami art scene. She saw the platform as a way to bring visibility to Miami-based artists, creating connections that stretched beyond the city’s borders. "I think that Wikipedia can be a reliable and accessible source to Miami-based artists and practitioners and make them known beyond our city and region," she reflected. The workshop, for Laura, wasn’t just about learning a new skill—it was about using that skill to uplift her community. "I deeply enjoyed coming together with my peers and friends to draft articles," she said, recognizing how Wikipedia could foster community while also increasing the visibility of local artists and cultural practitioners.
For those considering the next steps, Laura’s advice was thoughtful: "See this as a larger learning experience and an opportunity to gain skills/knowledge that you can put towards advancing the people and the work of those you support, admire, etc." She understood that Wikipedia wasn’t just about individual contributions, but about supporting a larger ecosystem of knowledge.
What excited Laura most about the workshop was the sense of accomplishment that came with publishing. "It was incredibly exciting to get the article to a point where it could be published," she shared. Writing something that was now part of the Wikipedia archive felt like a milestone. "Writing something that is now an article on Wikipedia felt like a right of passage," she said, proud of how far she had come.
“Writing something that is now an article on Wikipedia felt like a right of passage.”
In the end, Laura’s journey through the Wikipedia workshop wasn’t just about learning a new skill—it was about expanding her role as a curator and community leader. She had discovered a new way to document, share, and uplift the stories of those who shape Miami’s vibrant art scene, and she was eager to continue incorporating Wikipedia into her practice. "I’m excited about learning a new set of skills that I can incorporate into my professional practice to support Miami-based artists and practitioners," she concluded, ready to turn her newfound knowledge into action.
