In spite of the cloudy skies and intermittent showers that poured over the weekend, Art Basel carried on and the crowds were not daunted by the bad weather. Thousands poured into Miami Beach to experience Art Basel at the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) as well as the satellite fairs that always follow them into town including Untitled, Scope and NADA. It’s the most anticipated art event in North America, officially running this year from December 3rd through December 6th with over 100,000 visitors who descend on the city. A jam-packed array of exhibits, openings and happenings took place all weekend long as everyone celebrated Art Basel in the Americas.
“When the Art Basel committee decided to make a home in the Americas, it was no surprise they chose Miami Beach as their permanent location,” noted Peggy Benua, Chair, the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) “This city has the space, means and venues to host a wealth and range of events and as the number of activities and exhibits spread across the city during Basel, we’re seeing what we’ve known all along: that Miami Beach is not only the perfect location for the depth and breadth of events like Art Basel but our residents and visitors are open-minded, erudite and cultured and they come out in droves to support the arts.”
Increasingly Art Basel at the MBCC is not the only show in town. This year, for instance, visitors and residents enjoyed a wide range of art offerings and a plethora of lodging options in South, Mid and North Beach.
NORTH BEACH
From 63rd to 87th Streets, this northern stretch of Miami Beach includes an old fashioned bandshell, a community center and an adjoining park at the north end. With dozens of neighborhood restaurants and stores, North Beach is a quiet slice of Miami Beach frequented by locals and visitors.
ART
Miami Project: Miami Project returned in 2015 for its fourth edition, bringing the best in modern and contemporary art to the fair’s new waterfront location.
SATELLITE (new in 2015) SATELLITE was a new alternative exhibition presented during Miami Art Week at several beachfront venues, each venue stewarded by renowned art curators and groundbreaking art organizations.
Art on Paper (new in 2015) Art on Paper’s inaugural Miami Beach edition launched during Art Week, bringing the acclaimed fair to the epicenter of the international arts community.
MID-BEACH
From 30th to 63rd Streets, Mid Beach is popular for strolling, jogging and skating and partially includes the elevated boardwalk which runs from 21st Street to 46th Street. Rent an umbrella or beach chair and enjoy the day in the heart of Miami Beach.
ART
NADA Art Fair Miami Beach NADA Miami Beach featured some of the youngest and strongest art galleries dealing with emerging contemporary art. It is the only major American art fair run by a nonprofit organization. Pulse Miami Beach
PULSE
Contemporary Art Fair is recognized for providing its international community of emerging and established galleries with a dynamic platform for connecting with a global audience.
Fridge Art Fair Fridge Art Fair’s philosophy is to make the art fair scene accessible to diverse exhibitors and visitors alike and celebrated creative freedom, encouraging exhibitors to explore all possibilities within their spaces.
SOUTH BEACH
At the southern tip of Miami Beach, South Beach is all you’ve read about in magazines and seen on TV. South Beach attracts a lively crowd of people who enjoy the energy, fun and sexiness of this area of the city. Take a walk through Lummus Park while enjoying views of the ocean; tour the Art Deco buildings of South Beach (the Art Deco Welcome Center is located at 10th Street and Ocean Drive) and take photos of the famous multi-colored South Beach lifeguard stands.
ART
Art Basel Miami Beach Leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa exhibited work from the masters of Modern and contemporary art. Paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs and other works of the highest quality were on display in the main exhibition hall.
UNTITLED. A curated art fair for international galleries and nonprofit art spaces with a focus on emerging and midcareer contemporary art. Collectors saw an alternative viewing experience from the traditional art fair, creating a conversation and offering collectors a sense of discovery, diversity and quality with an international perspective.
Scope Miami SCOPE presented pioneering work across multiple creative disciplines. With over a decade of critically acclaimed art fairs and non-profit initiatives that extend beyond the ordinary in Contemporary art, design, music and fashion.
