By: Angela Caraway-Carlton
There’s more to Miami’s art scene than the yearly Art Basel — we’re a year-round destination for art and culture. While you may know Wynwood as the epicenter of street art, galleries and monthly art walks, some of Miami’s oldest and finest art galleries are making brave moves to other up-and-coming areas like Little Haiti, historic Little Havana and Downtown Miami. Whether you’re looking for thought-provoking, mainstream, or emerging artists and want to reach out and touch the art, here’s your guide to seven of Miami’s amazing art galleries and venues.
Artechouse
This is not your typical stand-and-stare gallery where you’re warned not to touch any of the art. Here, guests can expect a one-of-a-kind immersive experience where you’re encouraged to touch and interact with the digital art. Expect technology-driven, museum-quality pieces by artists who are forerunners of the new age in arts and technology, like award-winning Turkish-born artist Refik Anadol.
736 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Avant Gallery
Tucked away on the first level of Brickell City Centre, this hometown gallery is packed with an always-rotating range of contemporary art such as paintings, photography and playful sculptures by emerging and mid-career artists, along with furniture and accessories. 701S. Miami Ave., Suite 121A, Miami
Fredric Snitzer Gallery
If you’re into contemporary art, this longtime gallery will not disappoint — especially since it’s curated by the knowledgeable man who’s served on the committee board of Art Basel Miami Beach since its inception. Located near Downtown Miami, roam the sprawling indoor exhibition space that’s divided into two galleries along with an outdoor sculpture garden. Guests will discover pretty much every type of media from paintings to sculpture to photography from a diverse range of contemporary artists, with a strong presence of avant-garde Cuban artists. Expect at least eight rotating exhibitions by its artists each year. 1540 NE Miami Court, Miami
Locust Projects
Locust Projects is another one of Miami’s art frontrunners, originally hatched in Wynwood by three artists. This alternative art incubator is now located in the Miami Design District and is free to the public. The non-profit offers easily approachable, yet engaging site-specific exhibitions from local, national and international artists. Along with the 1,500-square-foot gallery space, there’s a project room for video screenings, a place to hang out and sip coffee, and an art store to shop. One of the most fun events is the annual Smash and Grab fundraiser where everyone who buys a raffle ticket gets to pick and leave with donated works of art. 3852 North Miami Avenue, Miami
Nina Johnson
While this art gallery’s roots were in Wynwood (where it was known as Gallery Diet), founder Nina Johnson moved with the art scene, planting her contemporary gem in Little Haiti. Johnson, who is a passionate advocate for culture, meticulously curated exhibitions featuring emerging and dynamic local artists as well as established artists from around the globe. You’ll discover anything from ambitious photography to design and sculpture work. 6315 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami
Oolite Arts
This cultural center and studio space has been on the scene for decades and was recently rebranded from ArtCenter/South Florida to its new name, Oolite Arts (named after the coral and seashell bedrock on which Miami stands). The gallery will move to new digs in Little Haiti in 2022. For now, the Lincoln Road mainstay offers exhibits that rotate every three months and the space hosts around 17 artists in residence. The public can peruse the venue for free, and if their doors are open, chat with the live-in artists about their work. Oolite also offers classes and workshops in filmmaking, printmaking, painting and more. 924 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
Spinello Projects
As one of the city's best-known contemporary art venues, founded by Anthony Spinello in 2005, this often-nomadic gallery has settled into a new location in the under-the-radar Allapattah neighborhood. Spinello has an eye for art, and visitors will always find a hub of local and international talent, with new works by the likes of Eddie Arroyo and Raheleh Filsoofi. Expect to have all the feels as the venue’s thought-provoking pieces often address current issues. 2930 NW 7th Avenue, Miami