Art Walking South Florida
By Robbie Nevel
The local art scene, in the geographically clustered area of South Florida, took slightly longer to make it into the mainstream. Having finally done so, a light is shone on the underground talent that worked hard for years to get the scene to where it is.
It also means that events are spreading throughout South Florida along with growing excitement for the arts.
Miami Beach and Downtown Miami have always had their celebrated galleries, but it really started over the past three years when the monthly Wynwood Art Walk, every second Tuesday of the month, caught on and started drawing larger and larger crowds. Galleries opened, costs rose, and the drinking and dining establishments started setting up shop (along with a continued variety of food trucks).
The creative spark would not be content to stay in that one small area for long. The scene began expanding to places far North like Hollywood and as far South as Homestead.
Growing up, no one ever spoke much of Homestead. It was never a place to go hang out. There were farms and a few decent Mexican restaurants and that was about all that I knew until age 28. Then four months ago someone told me about Lucid Gallery at Cauley Square, a quaint “historic railroad village.”
It seemed everyone in the Cutler Bay and Homestead area was too broke and far from Wynwood to get in on that action. Instead, they were going to Lucid Gallery and according to a buddy of mine, he saw many of his old friends from Miami Southridge High School there. A southern based artistic hub was being established. It seems that there was more to the success of the Wynwood Art Walk than just trendiness and those really good (albeit pricey) food trucks. The atmosphere of a creative night out on the town was enough to create a demand.
Although they were allegedly made to move locations by Cauley Square, Lucid Gallery has many followers — many of whom expressed solidarity on their Facebook page. One loyal Lucid-goer wrote, “Where Lucid goes, I follow.” There is, however, still Art Walk Cauley Square on the second Friday of each month.
[icon name=”asterisk” class=””] see: Downtown Hollywood Mural Project
To the North, a project similar to the Wynwood Walls has been underway for two years but has just started being widely known outside the immediate community. The Downtown Hollywood Mural Project is filling the streets of Hollywood, Florida with the kind of eye-catching street art that has made Miami’s Design District so visually appealing over the past few years.
[icon name=”quote-left” class=””]Our mission is to beautify and add culture the Downtown area one wall at a time.[icon name=”quote-right” class=””]
They keep a strong social media presence thanks to art specialist/project manager, Jill Weisberg, with both their Twitter and Facebook letting interested parties know about upcoming events and artworks. The latest, a futuristic piece by British art group “The London Police,” was given full promotional treatment. All the Mural Project’s pieces can be seen during the Downtown Hollywood Artwalk. The effort is certainly being made by art communities both North and South to get the word out.
If this spread continues, there could be new galleries and projects popping up all over South Florida. How colorful can this part of the world get? Time will certainly tell.
Photos courtesy of Miranda Reinike and Downtown Hollywood Mural Project
ART WALK GUIDE [icon name=”arrow-circle-o-right” class=””]
[icon name=”exclamation-triangle” class=””] SOUTH FLORIDA ART WALK GUIDE
Wynwood
When: Second Saturday of Every Month Where: Wynwood Arts District [icon name=”map-marker” class=””] MAP
During the second Saturday of each month galleries stay open until 10 p.m. in the Wynwood Art District, home to edgy and experimental artists, and the neighboring Design District, a stylish 18-block hub of posh showrooms and vanguard designers.
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Coral gables
When: First Friday of Every Month Where: Ponce de Leon Boulevard
On the first Friday of every month, galleries keep their doors open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and give gratis art advice, provide transportation between galleries, and offer wine and cheese. Leave your car parked and visit dozens of noted galleries with free transportation in the pedestrian district.
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Bird Road Arts District
When: Last Friday of Every Month Where: Bird Road Arts District
Every third Saturday of the month, at this warehouse-turned-art-space in the Bird Road Art District, more than 20 Miami-based artists and studios invite the public for a sampling of a vast array of emerging and established artists across all mediums. The district showcases everything from fine art, sculpture, and photography to stained glass and pottery, and even a traveling gallery.
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Viernes Culturales — Little Havana
When: Last Friday of Every Month Where: Domino Plaza, SW 15th Ave & 8th Street
Enjoy music and discover works by local artists and artisans in and around our iconic Domino Plaza on SW 8th Street and SW 15th Avenue, and behold contemporary and historic artworks at our many fine art galleries along Calle Ocho. Finish off your fabulous Friday night by savoring a delicious dinner at one of our various restaurants, boasting cuisine from all over the world. Come dance, eat, shop and enjoy a delightful evening in Little Havana.
[icon name=”star-o” class=””] TIP: Free Trolley Service! The City of Miami takes you for free in the Miami Trolley leaving from the Mary Brickell Village and the Brickell Metrorail/Metromover Station to the heart of the Viernes Culturales festival every 15 minutes, starting at 6:30 pm.
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Lincoln Road
When: Last Friday of Every Month Where: Lincoln Road
The Lincoln Road Art Walk is a free event and takes place today from 7pm-10pm. Local artists, museums and galleries open their doors to the public, presenting live music, cocktails, and art.The event sponsor is the ArtCenter/SouthFlorida. The ArtCenter’s three buildings are located at 800,810 and 924 Lincoln Road Mall.
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Brickell
When: Last Tuesday of Every Month Where: 900 Brickell Ave
The last Tuesday of every month, relevant & well-established artists will have the opportunity to inject culture through exhibiting their work in key venues around the Brickell area. Our main goal is to build a bridge
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Coconut Grove
When: First Friday of Every Month Where: Commodore Plaza
Coconut Grove hosts Art Gallery Nights on the first Friday of every month from 7 to 10 p.m. Spotlight local and international artists, mixed media, and music at 12 locations throughout CocoWalk, Mayfair Center and across the area.
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The Falls Arts District
When: Third Friday of Every Month Where: The Falls
The newest art community in Miami will have their artists opening their studio doors for the public on the 3rd Friday every other month. Come over and see what your artsy neighborhood is up to.
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Downtown hollywood
When: Third Saturday of Every Month Where: Hollywood Boulevard. — Harrison Street & Tyler Street
[icon name=”star-o” class=””] TIP: Free Trolley Service
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