Art Wynwood hasn't raised the curtain yet on its inaugural edition, but it has already surpassed Art Basel Miami Beach in at least one category. The spin-off of Art Miami, taking place President's Day Weekend, February 16-20, has announced its exhibitor list of more than 50 galleries and nearly a quarter of participants are local spaces.
That's more than the number of South Florida galleries (which you could count on your fingers) that managed to purchase a toehold at the Miami Beach Convention Center during the past decade of Basel.
With decidedly more of a homegrown flavor, Art Wynwood has corralled 500 artists from 13 countries who will be exhibiting an arsenal of contemporary works from every conceivable genre. On view you'll find paintings, photography, sculpture, video, and new media -- not to mention conceptual and urban street art. Some of the countries represented at the fair include Austria, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Taking place at the capacious, 100,000-square-foot Art Miami Pavilion, located in Midtown, the five-day fair even boasts something called the "the flying murals of Wynwood".
Commissioned by area developer and arts activist Tony Goldman, his soaring murals will be installed in Art Wynwood's VIP Lounge and include works by international talent such as Retna, How & Nosm, DAZE, Aiko, and Futura.
Joining Bernice Steinbaum Gallery and Cernuda Arte, two of the chosen galleries that have cracked the snooty Basel blockade in the past decade, Art Wynwood's roster also ropes in Dot Fiftyone Gallery, Hardcore Art Contemporary Space, Pan American Art Projects and Kavachnina Contemporary among other locals.
Perhaps, most importantly, Art Wynwood is showcasing how the Magic City's burgeoning art scene has begun flexing its muscles year round.
"This is a wonderful example of how Miami -- and specifically Wynwood -- has evolved into a year-round arts destination. I think I speak on behalf of the entire Wynwood community in welcoming and supporting Art Wynwood," Goldman says.
For more info on Art Wynwood and a full list of participants visit art-wynwood.com.
Follow Cultist on Facebook and Twitter @CultistMiami.
