The quince celebration is truly a unique Miami tradition. Yes, it is a universal Latin coming-of-age recognition for girls, but Miami adds a multitude of layers. As artist Antonia Wright explored this phenomenon, she found and peeled back some of these layers. Wright herself is Cuban, but she never had a Quinceanera, which takes place as a girl turns into a “woman,” supposedly at the age of 15. Wright, who works with video, photography and performance, discovered that Miami has one of the largest quince photo-studio businesses in the world. Which, in turn, lead her to discover that those over-the-top, Baroque photographs of girls in their 15th year are really the essence of the quince.

She paid a visit to some of these studios and came up with “Where All Your Dreams Come True.” In the Art@Work gallery in Westchester (a very appropriate setting), stunningly beautiful photographs of Wright dressed up in princess-like garb, posing in some superimposed garden, hang on the walls. Even with the knowledge of their extreme artificiality, it is striking how well-done these photos are, a testament to the success of the business. And that is the essence of this show.

Wright showed up and told the photo studios what her favorite color was (hence the choice of the color of the dress), what dream-world she would like to be standing in — and the professionals did the rest, at exorbitant prices (some can cost $10,000).

“What interests me about the concept is that none of it is real,” is how Wright describes the whole process. “Not the photos, the dress, the fake background or even the idea that one day you turn 15 and mature. This illusion, as seen through the photos, is for the ego. Their financial insecurity and desire for their daughter to marry well are manifested in the images. Who is perpetuating this tradition? It seems this money would be better spent on the girl’s college education, which begs the question, what is the girl’s role in this society?”

That is the key. This spectacle seems so old fashioned, so two centuries ago, yet is enacted and purchased vigorously today. As Wright points out, sometimes the Quinceanera party itself is neglected — it is the photograph, the unreal image, that is most prized. Take a look at what Wright has to say in these photographs, which, truth be told, are as lovely as they were composed to be.

“Where All Your Dreams Come True” runs through Jan. 13 at art@work, 1245 S.W. 87th Ave., Miami; by appointment, [email protected].