Next week, New Times' annual Best of Miami issue hits the stands with more than 300 picks for the best food, drinks, clubs, people and places in town. You'll find the issue on the stands next Thursday and on the web next Tuesday. But we're giving you an early sneak peek of this year's picks every day until the issue drops.
Today, we're announcing our pick for Miami's best street artist.
Best Street Artist: Trek6
Miami street artist Trek6's artistic career began at age 6, when his Puerto Rican grandmother gave him some paint from her art supply store. She was probably just trying to keep the kid entertained. Now, three decades later, it's blossomed into a talent that's created some of mural-happy Miami's most recognizable walls. His Bob Marley mural in Wynwood draws a pilgrimage of art fans, music lovers, and photographers. And last year, in collaboration with artist Chor Boogie from San Francisco, he brought back the famous boombox mural at NW Sixth Ave and 23rd Street. Whether you're judging by quantity (Trek6 boasts about 27 walls in Miami since he started tagging them in the '80s, seven of which are still on view) or by quality, Trek6 is a Miami mural legend. And he's hustling to bring the 305 to the rest of the world. Earlier this year, he participated in Pow Wow Hawaii, a gathering of street artists from around the world designed to create connections and inspiration. The event made collaborations such as those behind the boombox and Marley murals possible. He's also taking his skills to the canvas and beyond by exporting his unique, Miami-grown talent to fans across the country. And he's working on a children's book. This is not your average street artist. Trek6 is making Miami beautiful one wall at a time.
Follow Cultist on Facebook and Twitter @CultistMiami.
