With the cancellation of large-scale events, festivals, and most travel, this poses a unique predicament when it comes to the time of year that has put Miami on the art world map: Art Basel and Miami Art Week. While Art Basel has cancelled its actual art fair at the Miami Beach Convention Center, there are still plenty of ways to get the creative juices flowing — both virtually and IRL.
In fact, in recent years
Art Basel has become such a behemoth that many of the visiting tourists who are just in Miami for the parties don’t even know what “Basel” actually is. But Miami Art Week, as it’s been dubbed, has so much more to offer than the glitz and glam on display on social media. Many locals, us included, are excited to have the chance to get back to the roots of Miami’s art scene this year. So don't panic (at the disco), the FOMO doesn’t have to get the best of you! We've put together a guide with virtual experiences and in-person exhibitions (and we don't mean super spreader events – they will be observing all social distancing and CDC guidelines for COVID-19). Grab your Left Bank beret and your fruity Miami attitude, and let’s do some
Basel-ing!
V is for Virtual
If you’re usually a Baselista who descends upon Miami’s art scene in the winter from out of town but can’t this year, here are some fairs you can still attend digitally at no cost (BYOB, Bring Your Own Bubbly).
Art Basel’s OVR: Miami Beach
Dec. 2-6, 2020
Virtual Event
More information & viewing here
Since Art Basel has pushed its in-person fair to December 2021, they will be putting on a virtual edition this December that will offer a similar experience as it did earlier this year for their fairs in Hong Kong and Basel, Switzerland. The Online Viewing Rooms, called OVR: Miami Beach, will feature global galleries that were accepted to the 2020 edition of Art Basel Miami Beach. There will be a program of online events, talks, and gallery walk-throughs, all available on their website. While there won't be any actual conceptual bananas to rip off the wall this year, it still promises to still be one of Miami Art Week's signature events.
NADA Miami
Dec. 1-5, 2020
Virtual & In Person Event
This year, the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) is taking a hybrid approach to the COVID pivot. The annual NADA Art Fair will be online as well as in-person through participating galleries in multiple cities. As one of the only nonprofit art fairs, NADA will present works from up-and-coming artists in physical spaces that will also be available for online viewing. Depending on the locations, gallery presentations can be visited by appointment or alternatively through the digital format. In addition, the programming series NADA Presents will take things online with dynamic talks and performances from the contemporary art world.
IRL is for In Real Life
For those of us lucky enough to call the Magic City home (and have Zoom fatigue), it can be easy to take in some of Miami Art Week in-person (masks and social distancing de rigueur). If you're daring enough stepping out (and popping in), there are a lot of exciting events and places you might enjoy. Be sure to check the websites listed as many of these require advance tickets or appointments to safely limit crowd sizes.
Design Miami/
Nov. 28 – Dec. 6, 2020
191 NE 40th St., Miami
More information here
Design Miami is one of the only big-name art fairs that is still taking place in-person this year. This global forum has expanded its footprint and now spans over ten days to accommodate social distancing and best safety practices. What’s more, the fair returns to its original location from when it launched in in 2005: the historic Moore Building in the Design District. This edition includes the Podium, bringing a selling exhibition aspect to the fair with collectible design from both independent studios and leading galleries, including Miami’s own Mindy Solomon. The theme, selected by Curatorial Director Aric Chen, is America(s), looking at the
American identity through various lenses. For those unable to attend in-person, the Design Miami Shop will offer online buying options and virtual content for you couch potato art addicts.
Fountainhead Open Studios
Nov. 27, 2020
7338 NW Miami Ct., Miami
More information here
As artists ourselves, we love projects that help other creatives. The Fountainhead's signature mission (kudos to founder Kathryn Mikesell) is to support the growth of artists from around the world and locally. They connect these emerging talents with new audiences to build a vibrant arts community. This year's event at their homey Little River neighborhood complex gives visitors a chance to peek into the creative world of over 25 local artists who are part of their Fountainhead Studios and the current participants in their residency program: Kenturah Davis from Los Angeles and Ghana; Hector Jimenez Castillo from Guadalajara, Mexico; and Sedrick Chisom from Bloomington, Indiana and New York City. The event is free of charge, but RSVP is required for time slots to maintain social distancing.
LnS Gallery
Dec. 2, 2020 – Feb. 9, 2021
2610 SW 28th Ln., Miami
More information here
Coconut Grove has historically been a center of Miami artistic and bohemian ferment, so it’s very appropriate that the recently opened LnS Gallery is located there. They use their progressive 5,000 square-foot space to spotlight Miami-based artists, as well international, contemporary art. The gallery’s latest exhibition will launch during Miami Art Week, featuring “For Those Gathered in the Wind," the first solo show by award-winning, Miami-based, and Oolite artist-in-residence T Eliott Mansa. His work draws parallels between mourning and loss, historical and current events, from Africa to the American West. There is also a virtual exhibition by Carlos Alfonzo on the LnS website which is VR-friendly (if you’ve got a pair of VR goggles to strap on.)
Locust Projects
Nov. 21, 2020 – Jan. 23, 2021
3852 N Miami Ave., Miami
More information here
Why did our founder and creative director Paul Jacober agree to serve on the Board of Directors of Locust Projects? Because, as Miami’s longest running nonprofit alternative art space, they are one of the lynchpins of the burgeoning Miami art scene: always hip, cutting edge and in the conversation. For Miami Art Week they will showcase three new exhibitions. First is Mette Tommerup’s “Made by Dusk," inspired by Freya, the Nordic Goddess of love, war, beauty, gold, and transformation. Then there is acclaimed choreographer Stephen Petronio's mixed media collaboration with Janine Antoni, “Honey Baby." And finally, Paula Wilson’s “On High," that pairs two of the artist’s video shorts to speak to the current moment and how everyone plays a part. Open by appointment only in the Design District, this is definitely one to check out!
Nina Johnson
Nov. 20, 2020 – Jan. 9 & Jan. 30, 2021
6315 NW 2nd Ave., Miami
More information here
The Little Haiti-based contemporary art gallery has two new exhibitions opening this winter that are must-sees. “Fredonia!" from award-winning multimedia artist Rochelle Feinstein, incorporates recent paintings that portray a fictional utopia she imagined for the 19th century United States, on view through January 9. The other exhibition, “Poison Dart,” is by Nathlie Provosty. It features a series of paintings where she explores the creative impact that COVID-19 had on her senses after she recovered, looking at it through the lens of a poison dart frog’s ability to mesmerize and infect. Hers will be up through January 30. All visits, naturally, are by appointment only.
Oolite Arts
Through Dec. 13
924 Lincoln Rd., 2nd Floor, Miami Beach
More information here
Oolite Arts (formerly known and beloved to us as Art Center South Florida) has recently reopened its Lincoln Road gallery, by appointment only. The current exhibition, “Idioms and Taxonomies,” is curated by Laura Marsh and showcases works from over a dozen Oolite artists-in-residence (they have idiosyncratic low-cost spaces where they work inside repurposed commercial buildings). Using a multimedia approach, the artists explore the dichotomy of personal and cultural histories, with the aim of provoking conversations on how the viewer relates to space, community, and isolation. If you can’t make it in person, “Idioms and Taxonomies” is also available digitally on the Oolite website where you can take a digital deep dive.
Faena
Nov. 29 2:30 pm
Daily Start Time USD 10:00 am
End Time USD 6:00 pm
Price USD Free & Open to the public
Faena Website here
Are you not on the A-list for Libbie Mugrabi's big bash of a dinner at the Faena Hotel (which begs the question, is a party really a smart thing in the midst of a pandemic?). Don't fret, because there is some fascinating art to be safely seen in and around the hotel property, a traditional center for some of the most fun and interesting Miami Art Week events. This year includes the free "Dreaming with Lions: by Alexandre Arrechea, erected directly on the beach in front of the Faena Hotel, and inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s seminal literary work, The Old Man and the Sea. Sun, sand and an art installation, it's sooooo Miami!
Superblue
Opens Dec. 22, 2020
1101 NW 23rd St., Miami
More information here
Though Superblue's Miami opening has been delayed to the spring of 2021, we're still jonesing to get inside their unique interactive space. Just a stone’s throw from the Rubell Museum, Superblue will call Allapattah home for the first ever location of what is expected to become a global art brand with other venues in major metropolitan cities. The enormous 50,000 square foot industrial building will be an immersive art experience like no other. With three separate large-scale installation galleries and more, it’s reimagining art in a new way for Miami locals and visitors. No need to feel blue, as very soon, Superblue will be open for you.
Learn More about Miami
Want to learn more about our favorite go-to spots and hidden gems around the city? Check out our guides to Lincoln Road, Little Havana, Allapattah, and the Design District. Happy exploring!
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