Miami’s burgeoning art scene gained notoriety in recent years with the arrival of Art Basel, the annual gathering of who’s-who in the world of art which introduced Miami to countless art aficionados around the globe.
While Miami Beach was the initial scene of gallery proliferation in the area’s recent art revival, high real estate values and rampant development in blighted areas where artists once flourished have forced many galleries over to mainland-Miami in areas such as the Design District and most notably, the Wynwood Art District.
Local government officials are supportive of Miami’s art scene and the city maintains a very successful Art in Public Places program, while several large community groups have formed to provide studio space to up and coming artists.
The ArtCenter opened its doors in 1984 on a then-barren Lincoln Road. More than two decades later, the gallery is still a cornerstone on the now-bustling pedestrian mall. Boasting artist studios, classes and exhibits spanning the art genre spectrum, the ArtCenter, according to their manifesto, “exposes the public to the artistic process on a daily basis, helping promote the idea that everyone can be connected to the creative energy of art-making.”
924 Lincoln Road / Miami Beach, FL / (305) 538-7887
www.artcentersf.org
Hours:
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday
11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Sunday
Admission: Free
Located in the center of the Miami Design District, Artformz Alternative features the extraordinary work of acclaimed local names along with some of the most exciting discoveries working today. The gallery is a distinguished artist’s initiative owned and directed by Miami artist Alette Simmons-Jimenez. Artformz produces 6 juried collaborative projects a year, showcasing the experimental, the exciting, and the profound diversity of voices in contemporary art and new media today. Each exhibit runs for 2 months to the benefit of our busy collectors, arts writers, independent curators and general public, and providing optimum exposure for the artists.
Atlas Plaza, Miami Design District / 130 NE 40th Street, #2 / Miami, FL
(305) 572-0040
www.artformz.net
Hours:
Tues.-Fri.: 12:00pm-7:00pm
Sat.: 12:00pm-4:00pm
Other hours by appointment
Admission: Free
Art+ Gallery prides itself on its extensive collection of works by 20th-century masters such as Keith Haring, Arman, Yves, Klein, Robert Indiana and Andy Warhol. The gallery also features a 40-piece sculpture collection by Salvador Dali as well as pieces by several up-and-coming artists.
Village of Merrick Park / 358 San Lorenzo Avenue, #3135 / Coral Gables, FL
786.497.1111
Hours:
10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday
noon-6 p.m. Sunday
The former Art Rouge Gallery is now Kavachnina Contemporary with Director-Curator-Owner Gala Kvachnina at the helm. The gallery offers a wide variety of artworks in different mediums and represents over 30 national and international artists while maintaining a philosophy of nurturing local artists. Whatever the medium presented, the artworks are always visually accessible, technically proficient and of important artistic merit and accomplishment.
46 NW 36 Street, Loft 3 / Miami, FL / (305) 448-2060
www.kavachnina.com
Open: Monday to Friday from 11:00am – 6:00pm.
Saturdays by appointment.
ArtSpace/Virginia Miller Galleries touts itself as the longest-established contemporary fine art gallery in Greater Miami. With a 35-year history, the gallery focuses on both mid-career level and well-established artists. Past exhibitions have included a Volkswagen Beetle covered in over 1,600 lights by Eric Staller and an exclusive exhibition of Doonesbury animation drawings and paintings. In total, owner Virginia Miller boasts five galleries throughout the city, and she has commissioned works and exhibits in various locations throughout South Florida and the U.S.
169 Madeira Avenue / Coral Gables, FL / (305) 444-4493
www.virginiamiller.com
Hours:
11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
Admission: Free
The Bakehouse Art Complex is housed in the building that, in the 1930s, housed the American Baking Company. The non-profit organization purchased the building in 1985 and turned it into a full-service art complex where artists painters, sculptors, potters, photographers, furniture designers and more from all different nationalities and ethnicities can create, exhibit, teach and network. Studios, exhibition galleries, meeting rooms, classrooms, a darkroom, a print lab, and a clay facility are all available. Their most recent exhibit, titled and you thought you brought it with you, featured works that celebrated Miami’s cultural scene pre-1980.
561 NW 32 Street / Miami, FL / (305) 576-2828
www.bacfl.org
Hours: noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
Admission: Donation
Barbara Gillman Gallery has featured the work of artists and photographers from both South Florida and around the country since its opening in 1979. The gallery’s exhibits have included contemporary American and Latin American painting, sculpture, ceramics, works on paper, mixed media, photography, its most recent being a collection of images by photographer Herman Leonard of jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday.
4141 NE 2nd Avenue, Suite 200B / Miami, FL / (305) 573-1920
www.barbaragillmangallery.com
Hours: noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday
Admission: Free
The Bass Museum was established in 1963 when John and Johanna Bass donated their collection to the City of the Miami Beach on the condition that it remain open and available to the public. The gallery now features exhibits both from their permanent collection and national and international touring collections.
2121 Park Avenue / Miami Beach, FL / (305) 673-7530
www.bassmuseum.org
Hours:
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday,
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, closed Mondays and holidays
Admission: $8
The Bernice Steinbaum Gallery originated in 1977 in New York City. In 2000, the gallery moved to Miami but kept its mission: To be a microcosm of this multi-cultural, visual environment [by] showcasing women artists and artists. The gallery, which exhibits works dealing mainly with narrative, boasts three Macarthur Genius award winners, five Guggenheim fellows, many National Endowment Winners, and two Annenberg fellows.
3550 N. Miami Avenue / Miami, FL / (305) 573-2300
www.bernicesteinbaumgallery.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Admission: Free
Britto Central houses the artwork of Romero Britto. Known for his colorful, black-outlined illustrations, his work can be seen everywhere from Miami Beach City Hall to the White House. His gallery boasts original paintings, sculptures and a shop where visitors can purchase Britto-designed handbags, ties, T-Shirts and more.
818 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL
(305)531-8821
www.britto.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Admission: Free
Cernuda Arte has been an integral part of the Coral Gables art community for over 25 years and features a collection of over 1,000 works by Cuban artists both past and present. The gallery also offers restorations and appraisals.
3155 Ponce de Leon Blvd
Coral Gables, FL
(305) 461-1050
www.cernudaarte.com
Hours: noon-6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Admission: Free
Damien B. Contemporary Art Gallery is an 8,000 square-foot warehouse space owned by Nice, France transplant Damien Boisseau. The not-for-profit gallery focuses on European art, as opposed to the more typical Latin and Caribbean style found in Miami, and boasts eight work spaces for resident artists. During exhibits, a performance stage allows visitors to enjoy music while perusing the art.
282 NW 36th Street
Miami, Fl
305.573.4949
www.damienb.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Admission: Free
Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts has been a staple of the Miami arts scene since its opening in 2000. Promoting Argentine and other Latin American artists (its original location was in Buenos Aires under a railroad bridge) residing both in the States and abroad, the gallery, owned by Diana Lowenstein, has had a presence in many prestigious art fairs over the years, including Art Basel, Art Miami, Paris FIAC, Art Chicago, and Madrid’s ARCO.
2043 N. Miami Avenue
Miami, FL
(305) 576-1804
www.dlfinearts.com
Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday | 10:00 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Admission: Free
Diaspora Vibe Gallery is Miami’s leading art space for Latin American and Caribbean artists. Through an artist-in-residence program, international exchanges, and community activities, Diaspora Vibe, for the past five years, has made it their mission to celebrate Miami’s rich cultural and social fabric. The gallery’s most recent exhibit featured the works of Ayanna Jolivet McCloud, who, through images, sounds and performance paid homage to the rich and sacred rituals of African-American healers. The gallery also hosts Final Fridays, an event that features the work of the artist of the month and takes place the last Friday of the month May-October.
3938 N. Miami Avenue
Miami, FL
305.573.4046
www.diasporavibe.net
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Admission: Donations
The Dorsch Gallery opened in 1991 and for the past 15 years has been committed to stretching the viewers definition of what a gallery should be. Representing South Florida artists in all genres, from traditional forms such as painting and sculpture to more experimental art forms, such as sound and performance art, the 7,000 square-foot space also plays host to a variety of cultural events, including the Subtropics Experimental Music and Sound Arts Festival and film screenings.
151 NW 24th Street
Miami, FL
305.576.1278
www.dorschgallery.com
Hours: 1-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Admission: Free
Fred Snitzer Gallery is considered on of Miami’s most cutting edge galleries when it comes to showing and representing emerging artists. Director Fred Snitzer, who sits on the selection committee for Art Basel, has represented such up-and-coming artists as Hernan Bas, Luis Gispert, and Naomi Fischer. Past exhibits have included “The Manhattan Project,” which featured the work of MFA graduates from Columbia University, and “React: New York,” which featured works by Lynne Golob Gelfman, who uses unconventional tools such as sanders, combs, trowels, chemical reactions, spray paint, and sticks to create her pieces.
2247 NW 1st Place
Miami, FL
305.573.5810
www.snitzer.com
Hours 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Admission: Free
Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin is the newest gallery from famed Parisian art dealer-collector Emmanuel Perrotin. Opened in January 2006, the gallery boasts 13,000 square-feet of space and Perrotin, along with partner Cathy Vedovi and director Luisa Lagos say they hope the gallery is not just a space to showcase art but also an inspiring work environment for artists-in-residence and curators. The building, which was formerly occupied by a refrigeration company, boasts two floors that contain viewing rooms, space that can accommodate three solo exhibitions at a time, and temporary accommodation space where everyone from artists and collectors to journalists and curators are invited to stay while working in Miami.
194 NW 30th Street
Miami, FL
305.573-2130
www.galerieperrotin.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
Admission: Free
For the past 25 years Gary Nader fine art has been dedicated to the support and recognition of Latin American art. Gary Nader fine art exhibits monthly, featuring established artists and the largest selection of works by Latin American Masters including paintings, sculpture, and drawings.
Gary Nader fine art is the largest and most important fine art gallery in South Florida with a major selection of works by Modern and Contemporary artists worldwide. The gallery represents some of the most important modern and contemporary artist: Pablo Atchugarry, Fernando Botero, Carlos Capelan, Sandro Chia, Guillermo Conte, Manuel Esnoz, Walter Goldfarb, Nicol Leiva, Armando Mari, Manuel Mendive, Guillermo Muz Vera, Carlos Quintana and Frank Stella.
62 NE 27th Street
Miami, FL 33137
305.576.0256
www.garynader.com
In●dependent Gallery at District Lab
175 NW 22nd Street
Miami, FL
(305) 672-1002
The former Art Rouge Gallery is now Kavachnina Contemporary with Director-Curator-Owner Gala Kvachnina at the helm. The gallery offers a wide variety of artworks in different mediums and represents over 30 national and international artists while maintaining a philosophy of nurturing local artists. Whatever the medium presented, the artworks are always visually accessible, technically proficient and of important artistic merit and accomplishment.
46 NW 36 Street, Loft 3
Miami, FL
(305) 448-2060
www.kavachnina.com
Open: Monday to Friday from 11:00am – 6:00pm.
Saturdays by appointment.
The Kevin Bruk Gallery is one of Miami’s rising stars in the arts community. Owned by Kevin Bruk, the six-year-old gallery is committed to showcasing works by mid-level and emerging contemporary artists who normally would not receive exposure in this city and hosts both solo and group exhibitions featuring painting, sculpture and installation works. One of the most recent pieces on display was an airbrushed 1960s Cadillac Coupe by artist Kenny Scharf.
2249 NW 1st Place
Miami, FL
305.576.2000
www.kevinbrukgallery.com
Hours:
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
noon-5 p.m. Saturday
Admission: Free
The Leonard Tachmes Gallery is owned by cosmetic surgeon Leonard Tachmes, who first opened the gallery, which resides in his home, because he simply loved art. Five years later, the gallery is flourishing and well-respected in Miami’s art community as a promoter for emerging artists in all disciplines. The gallery’s most recent exhibit, titled Besos, featured images dealing with issues of sexuality and femininity by four up-and-coming female photographers.
3930 NW Second Avenue
Miami, FL
305.572.9015
www.leonardtachmesgallery.com
Hours: By appointment
Admission: Free
Locust Projects is one of up-and-coming arts district Wynwood’s original galleries and has been committed to presenting the works of local and national emerging artists in all genres since its inception. Had you ventured into the space on a typical weekend night or during the monthly Wynwood Gallery Walk, you might have stumbled upon such exhibitions as New York-based artist Randy Moore’s The Mile-High Club,” which explored the impact of Playboy magazine on our culture, and an exhibit titled Once There was a Spot, which featured the works of cutting-edge Texas artists. The space also often hosts mixed-media events that include musical performances, fashion shows and more.
105 NW 23rd St.
Miami, FL
576.8570
www.locustprojects.org
Hours: Vary.
Admission: Varies
The Lowe Art Museum is located on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus and features a 13,000-piece permanent collection focusing on renaissance and baroque, American, ancient and Native American and Asian art. The museum also hosts traveling exhibits, lectures and student works.
University of Miami
1301 Stanford Drive
Coral Gables, FL
305.284.3535
www.lowemuseum.org
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
noon-7 p.m. Thursday
noon-5 p.m. Sunday
closed Mondays
Admission: $7
Miami Art Central, which was recently named Best Art Museum by the Miami New Times, is a sprawling 20,000 square-foot gallery situated just outside the University of Miami campus. It features exhibitions and programs that promote the education of the public about contemporary art and culture. Past exhibits have included The Last Picture Show: Artists Using Photography 1960-1982 and The Forms of Silence: Carmen Herrera Abstract Works 1948-1987.
In addition to art, the MAC also features events focusing on film, such as Cinema Tropical, a screening series of Latin American films; music, including performances by local and national musicians; and literature, including discussions and readings by local and national authors.
5960 S.W. 57 Avenue
Coral Gables, FL
305.455.3333
Hours:
noon-7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
closed Mondays
The Miami Art Museum is the city’s flagship art museum. Located in the heart of Downtown Miami in the same Spanish fortress-style building that houses the Miami-Dade County Public Library’s Main Branch, MAM opened a decade ago and concentrates on international 20th and 21st century artwork. The museum, which boasts 15,000 square-feet of gallery space, is currently featuring ‘miami in Transition, which features works by local artists that reflect the city’s urban transformation. MAM has also displayed the works of well-known artists such as James Rosenquist, Vik Muniz, and Chuck Close. MAM also hosts the monthly JAM at MAM, an evening cocktail reception and exhibition presentation the third Thursday of each month.
202 W. Flagler Street
Miami, FL
305.375.3000
www.miamiartmuseum.org
Hours:
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
10 a.m.-9 p.m. third Thursdays
noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
closed Mondays
Admission: $5
The Moore Space, previously the Moore Furniture Company, hosted its first exhibition in 2001 when art collectors Craig Robins and Rosa de la Cruz decided they wanted to showcase local artists during Art Basel. Unfortunately, that year the now-established fair was cancelled, but Humid went on, presenting artists from Miami as well as Chicago, New York, Barcelona, Pittsburgh, and London. Four years later, the gallery has hosted group shows focusing on concepts and trends and boasting catchy titles like Butt Seriously and The Art of Aggression. The gallery also features guest curators as well as individual shows, which Moore Space directors emphasize is a very important aspect of their mission. Book have been put together for many of the artists shows, which in turn have helped them document their works for others to experience.
The gallery also showcases performances and hosts educational programs, all together creating an experimental program of cross-disciplinary exhibitions, performances, artists and curators residencies and public programs which reflect the state of contemporary art today: new forms, new voices and new thought.
4040 NE Second Avenue
Miami, FL
305.438.1163
www.themoorespace.org
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday
The Museum of Contemporary Art opened a decade ago and was designed by New York architect Charles Gwathmey. The 23,000 square-foot space hosts concerts, parties, film screenings, lectures, and other events on a regular basis, but its main focus is making art accessible to underserved communities. It does so by exploring the art of our time and its relationship to a broader cultural context. In 8-10 exhibits a year, the museum features young and emerging artists as well as local and internationally recognized artists. The museum’s latest exhibit, ‘metro Pictures, features paintings, sculptures, photographs, videos, and performances by artists capturing urban life.
770 NE 125th Street
Miami, FL
305.893.6211
www.mocanomi.org
Hours:
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays
noon-5 p.m. Sundays
closed Mondays
Admission: $5
Rocket Projects opened their 1,500 square-foot space three years ago in an effort to showcase the latest movements and trends in contemporary art. Featuring artists from both Miami and around the country, Rocket Projects claims its mission is to nurture free expression by supporting and developing the careers of artists working in all media who explore the avant garde to advance their personal vision. The gallery represents 15 artists and features a main gallery, project space and flat file lounge, which displays flat works as well as video and sound installations.
3440 N. Miami Avenue
Miami, FL
305.576.6082
Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
Admission: Free
The Rubell Family Collection is located in a 40,000 square-foot warehouse previously used as a storage facility for the DEA. Since 1996, however, it has been home to 30 year’s worth of significant art, including works by Keith Haring, Cindy Sherman, Jeff Koons, Charles Ray, David Salle, Julian Schnabel and many more.
Don Rubell (brother of Studio 54 co-owner Steve) and his wife Mera began investing $25 a month in original art soon after they met, and their son Jason started his own collection at age 14. Along with daughter Jennifer, the gallery has become a family affair over the years and is now one of the world’s most impressive collections of contemporary art. The gallery also boasts an art library of over 30,000 titles.
95 NW 29th Street
Miami, FL
305.573.6090
Hours:
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Admission: $5
TRESART in Coral Gables was created by Peter Juvelis, Antonio de la Guardia and Alejandro Salsamendi, private art dealers who have been involved in fine art throughout their professional lives. They have assisted numerous museums and institutions as well as individuals build and refine their collections, and they currently specialize in both Latin American and Contemporary works.
Juvelis, de la Guardia and Salsamendi offer consulting services to both the veteran and young collector alike, and Endeavour to maintain a close relationship with clients as their art collections develop and expand.
550 Biltmore Way Suite 111
Coral Gables, FL
305.648.3007
www.tresart.us
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 10 AM – 6 PM , Sat. Appt. only
The Wolfsonian-FIU Museum is owned by Florida International University and features artifacts everything from rare books and periodicals to ceramics and paintings from North America and Europe as they relate to culture and innovation throughout history. The gallery also hosts traveling exhibitions as well as film screenings and lectures.
1001 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
305.531.1001
www.wolfsonian.fiu.edu
Hours:
Noon-6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday
Noon-9 p.m. Thursday, Friday
Closed Wednesdays and major holidays
Admission: $7
The World Erotic Art Museum opened in January 2006 and features the private collection of Naomi Wilzig. 4,000 tapestries, paintings, sculptures, and a variety of other objects from the Roman Empire to the Seventies, including the famous phallic prop used in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange.
1205 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
305.532.9336
www.weam.com
Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight daily
Admission: $15