MIAGuide
The Free Miami Art Week Events That Might Be Worth The Traffic
photo credit: Ryan Pfeffer
It takes a lot to justify leaving the house during Art Basel. And yet, there are actually some really cool things to see and do. What a dilemma. That’s why we made this guide. It’s a collection of public art, exhibitions, and events that are free and actually sound kind of cool. Now, obviously, we haven’t experienced them all because our time machine is broken, but this is our best educated guess at an entirely free Miami Art Week 2023 itinerary. We’ll continue to update it with cool (and free) stuff that comes across our radar. And check out our guide to the best Miami Art Week fairs (and where to eat around them) in case this isn't enough for you.
THE EVENTS
photo credit: Courtesy Photo
Point Comfort Art Fair + Show
Presented by Hampton Art Lovers, this Overtown art show celebrates art of the African-American diaspora. Works will be on display inside Overtown's Historic Ward Rooming House. The fair's schedule runs from Thursday through Sunday, with a series of artist talks, shows, and DJs spinning in the fair's Indaba Lounge. It's all free, open to the public, and you can see more information on their website.
photo credit: Gustaf Westman
Gustaf Westman At The Standard
Fans of Scandinavian design might be interested in Gustaf Westman's pop-up inside the cafe at The Standard. A lot of his curvy pieces will be on display. And even better news: it'll be on display until January 4, so you don't technically have to leave the house this week to see it.
We love art that you can touch and sit on (without getting arrested). And the Design District will have just such an installation up throughout Miami Art Week. It's called “Utopia” and was created by the artist Lara Bohinc, who won the Design District's annual design commission this year. The pieces will be scattered around the neighborhood for your viewing (and sitting) pleasure. The Design District is also just a lovely area to take a free stroll during Basel. You'll see plenty of new public art.
Miami artist Kelly Breez has transformed the Faena Art Project Room into something between a dive bar and an art gallery. Not only can you enjoy Breez's wonderful, often hilarious art (which is also for sale) but you can take photos with buff mannequins who assume the role of dive bar regulars. You also shouldn't leave without a Dirt's Dive t-shirt. It's really great.
There's usually something fun happening on the beach behind The Faena. This year, it's a giant maze made of sand. The work by Sebastian Errazuriz isn't meant to get you lost and waste your time (you've already done enough of that on the drive here). Instead, every path of this maze leads to a gathering point in the center, where you can mingle and meet people who you'll inevitably save in your phone as "Jerry Maze Guy."
The artist JR is debuting a massive mural called "The Chronicles Of Miami" in two different places during Miami Art Week. The mural consists of photos of over 1,000 Miamians collaged into a single portrait. One mural will hang on the exterior of Allapattah's Superblue Miami, and the other will be displayed in Jungle Plaza in the Design District.
Arroces is a traveling paella pop-up from New York City famous for throwing paella block parties, and they’ll be at Broken Shaker on Sunday serving classic street paellas, tortilla española, and spicy chicken croquetas. You will have to pay for the food, but entry to the event is free. They’ll be cooking from 3pm to 8pm or until sold out—so get there early.
This indoor/outdoor exhibition in the Design District will feature work from nearly 50 artists who lived and worked in Miami between 1996-2012. There will be a mural by Jen Stark and a big inflatable piece from FriendsWithYou. It's happening at 75 NE 39th Street, Monday to Saturday from 11am-8pm, and Sunday from 12-6pm. It also runs through December 26, in case you plan on locking yourself in the house during Art Basel (understandable).
No Vacancy is a series of art installations located inside different Miami Beach hotels. The series consists of work from mostly local artists and is presented by the City of Miami Beach. Here's a guide to the participating artists and the hotels where you can find their work.
This show takes over MiMo's 7 Seas Motel Thursday through Saturday, and fills the property's rooms with art from a mix of local, national, and international artists. It's free and open to the public (just RSVP here). There'll also be live music from Miami's Pocket of Lollipops and more bands (who will be playing inside the hotel's drained pool) on Friday starting at 6pm.
photo credit: Courtesy Photo
Take Over Miami By Andrés Reisinger
Andrés Reisinger, who exhibited at Faena Forum last year, is back this year in the Design District. We don’t have a ton of details about this one—the illusive announcement says the public installation will “radiate Miami with a pink-hued creative energy, bridging the digital with the tangible.” Sounds interesting. So walk by 178 NE 38th St if you’re already in the area.
When it comes to digital art this year, the installation we’re most curious about is the headliner for NFTs: Gateway Miami. The Web3 movement is happening at Faena Forum. There will be an immersive gallery alongside a speaker series with digital artists like Jen Stark. You can register for access via their website.
photo credit: Courtesy Photo
Hoooooops at Margaret Pace Park
Do you suck at basketball? Then perhaps you'll like "Hoooooops." The piece by artist CJ Hendry, which looks like if Medusa was a basketball hoop, is now up at Margaret Pace Park. It is essentially a blue basketball hoop with so many hoops that your basketball is all but guaranteed to go through one of them.
