Huddled into a cold, dimly lit room at North Miami's Museum of Contemporary Art on a Monday morning, high school and college students nervously waited to show their work.

Although they had shown their photographs, sculptures and paintings to professors in the past, these critiques from museum curators would be a taste of the professional art world's no-holds-barred approach.

The museum's chief curator, Bonnie Clearwater, said the gloves were coming off this time.

``They need to hear it from someone. This isn't just a coddling-fest,'' she said. ``This is the real world.''

Although Clearwater had comforting words for a Swedish student currently working on his master's degree -- comparing his work to that of the late and great Saul Steinberg -- some of the professionals' comments were harsh.

Halfway through a lengthy speech by Florida International University art student Peter Hammar about his painting, Clearwater's sharp voice interrupted him.

``Don't think. Just try to capture the experience,'' she suggested.

By exposing students to critiques by renowned museum curators, MOCA hopes to inspire them to work harder and learn.

The goal, Clearwater said, is to do what no other institution has managed to pull off: create a close-knit local artistic community.

The year-old idea, created by the museum's education committee, developed into a three-hour critique that brought together five students from each of South Florida's largest art institutions: FIU, the University of Miami and the New World School of the Arts.

The session also exposed New World's high school students to FIU's and UM's distinct styles -- and vice versa -- a conversation that rarely occurs, museum curators said.

Clark DeCapite Jr., an admittedly shy UM sculpture student, forced himself to present his work because he wants to take part in a frank exchange of ideas.

``It's a good springboard for getting yourself out there and out of that bubble of comfort,'' he said.

Several students received intense criticism from MOCA's associate curator, Ruba Katrib, including 22-year-old FIU photographer Carolina Menendez, who was told her collection of portraits -- each with sharp focus and vibrant colors -- was disconnected.

``There's such a long history of portrait photography. I'm just wondering what your angle is,'' Katrib told her.

FIU painting professor Mette Tommerup said Menendez already knew that but needed to hear it from the curators.

``Some of the students got knocked around,'' she said, but they'll be better artists because of it.''

Professors who sat in the audience briefly met after the session and shared hopes that the competitive learning environment would become a regular part of their students' curriculums.

Clearwater said it has yet to be seen whether students will overcome the physical distances that separate their schools and actually create the spark local art lovers have been awaiting.

``We can't have an art world in Miami if the community isn't there,'' Clearwater said.

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