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Category: 2024 Press Releases
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December 24, 2024
—Along with providing expanded transportation options to enjoy the festivities —
Miami Beach, FL – The City of Miami Beach will ring in the New Year with a free concert and firework displays along with a special New Year’s Day symphonic performance by the Miami Beach Classical Musical Festival Orchestra on iconic Ocean Drive at 12 St.
“Public safety remains our top priority during the holidays when celebrations bring our community and visitors together,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “This New Year’s, residents and guests can expect increased police visibility and enhanced measures to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.”
Presented by the city and the Ocean Drive Association with the support of local businesses, fireworks will be launched at Lummus Park beachfront beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Over 30 Ocean Drive restaurants will also have extended outdoor seating for alfresco dining and no vehicular traffic from Dec. 27 through Jan. 1.
Further north, Orchestra Miami presents the ultimate New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring three-time Latin Grammy-nominated group Negroni’s Trio and Latin Diva Marinel Una Voz. The festivities begin at 8 p.m. along the Collins Park beachfront with a performance by the Orchestra Miami String Quartet. The full orchestra will take the stage at 10 p.m. prior to the midnight fireworks at 2100 Collins Ave. The event is presented by the Collins Park Neighborhood Association and sponsored by the city.
The Miami Beach Classical Music Festival Orchestra will close out the holiday weekend with a free outdoor concert as part of the Miami Beach OnStage! program. Visitors can bring chairs and blankets to enjoy this family-friendly concert on Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 6 p.m. The event takes place in Lummus Park at 12 St. and Ocean Drive.
Transportation and Parking
The city’s free trolley service will operate an expanded schedule on New Year's Eve into New Year’s Day. Trolleys will run from 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 until 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1.
The city will provide free New Year’s Eve shuttle services to Washington Ave. between 11 and 12 streets starting at 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve through 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1 from trolley stops nearby six parking garages:
- 42 St. garage: shuttle bus will serve trolley stop #219 at Sheridan Ave. and 41 St.
- 23 St. garage: shuttle bus will serve trolley stop #194 at 23 St. and Liberty Ave.
- 17 St., Pennsylvania Ave. and the City Hall garages: shuttle bus will serve trolley stop #200 at 17 St. and Convention Center Dr.
- 5 St. garage: Freebee shuttle will serve trolley stop #113 at 6 St. and Lenox Ave.
New Year’s Eve shuttles will operate at intervals of approximately every 20 minutes (10-minute intervals from trolley stop #113 near the 5 St. garage). Riders should look for special parking shuttle identification signs prior to boarding.
All passengers using the free New Year’s Eve shuttle service will be dropped off at trolley stop #106 located on the west side of Washington Ave. between 11 and 12 streets. Passengers should use this stop for their ride back to garages. Alternatively, passengers can use the free citywide trolley service.
The city will charge a $20 flat fee at four South Beach garages beginning on Friday, Dec. 27 at 5 p.m. until Thursday, Jan. 2 at 6 a.m. with the exception of access card holders. Miami Beach residents paying via ParkMobile will pay a $10 half-price rate. The flat fee will be in effect for the garages at 7 St. and Collins Ave. (G1), 12 St. and Washington Ave. (G2), 13 St. and Collins Ave. (G3) as well as the garage at 16 St. and Collins Ave. (G4).
Additional parking enforcement officers will be assigned to discourage illegal parking in residential areas and to maintain parking availability for residents.
Freebee on Ocean Drive
The Ocean Drive Association has partnered with Freebee to provide free transportation along Ocean Drive between 5 Street and 14 Place. Riders will be able to hop on and off at designated locations along Ocean Drive from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27 through Wednesday, Jan. 1.
Traffic Closures
Ocean Drive will be closed to motor vehicles starting at 5 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 27 through 5 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2.
Public Safety
The Miami Beach Police Department will implement an enhanced staffing plan to patrol the entertainment district over and above its regular contingent of officers during the week. The department plans to assign license plate reader details along the Fifth Street corridor. The Miami Beach Fire Department will conduct night inspections to monitor compliance with life-safety codes and also provide enhanced staffing along Ocean Drive on New Year’s Eve. Miami Beach Park Rangers will have expanded service hours and increased personnel assignments. The Code Compliance Department will activate all operational personnel on New Year's Eve and provide enhanced citywide staffing for New Year's Day with a focus on excessively loud music, short-term rentals, illegal commercial events and continuous coverage at the Miami Beach Marina. Homeless outreach services will continue to be available throughout the week.
Visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/new-years for additional details.
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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Dec. 13, 2024
– For the first time in the program’s history, artist wins both Juried Prize and People’s Choice Awards –
Photo courtesy of Jeanne Canto.
Miami Beach, FL – The City of Miami Beach, in collaboration with the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 edition of No Vacancy, Miami Beach. The $25,000 Juried Prize and the GMCVB-sponsored $10,000 People’s Choice Award, have both been awarded to Josh Aronson, who presented Florida Boys at The Catalina Hotel & Beach Club.
The jurors for this year’s presentation are Franklin Sirmans, Director of Pérez Art Museum Miami, Ming Joi Washington, Lichtenstein Fellow at Pérez Art Museum Miami, Independent Curator and Scholar, and Direlia Lazo, Artistic Director for Zona Maco, Mexico City’s premier art fair, and Founder/Director of the Havana Art Weekend. The jurors unanimously selected Josh Aronson’s Florida Boys as the recipient of the Juried Prize.
The People’s Choice Award is determined by the public via an online vote; out of 2,146 votes, Florida Boys received 739 votes.
Florida Boys is a site-specific installation by Miami-based artist Josh Aronson, featuring the photograph Spring (2023–2024), dye sublimated onto fabric and suspended in front of the iconic two-story window at the Catalina Hotel & Beach Club. The translucent fabric allows daylight to pass through, transforming the photograph into a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. As air circulates in the lobby, the suspended artwork gently moves, creating a living, evolving presence that shifts with the changing light throughout the day.
Spring depicts a serene moment of young men floating in a Florida spring, a scene that speaks to themes of unity, tranquility, and the expansive nature of modern masculinity. Set in Miami Beach, the installation resonates with the city’s unique convergence of natural beauty and urban vibrancy, while also nodding to its legacy as a haven for queer culture. The subtle interaction of the photograph with its environment invites viewers into a contemplative space, echoing the rhythmic pace of the city while offering moments of quiet reflection and connection.
No Vacancy, Miami Beach is a juried art competition that supports and celebrates local artists, provokes critical discourse and encourages the public to experience Miami Beach’s famed hotels as art destinations. The fifth iteration of this competition included 12 participating artists drawn from a call to artists and selected by representatives from the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places Committee, Cultural Arts Council, and Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority. Each selected artist created a site-specific work for display at one of 12 different hotels throughout Miami Beach.
Funding for this project is provided by the City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority as well as the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. For additional information, please visit mbartsandculture.org.
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Josh Daniel Aronson (born 1994, Toronto, ON, Canada) is an internationally exhibited artist and photographer whose work has received critical acclaim from leading publications including The British Journal of Photography, Dazed Magazine, i-D Magazine, Garage Magazine, Italian Vogue, Document Journal, Metal Magazine, Venice Magazine, and Design Miami’s Forum Magazine, among others. In 2021, he was honored with the Miami New Times’ Best of Miami: Best Photographer distinction.
In 2020, Aronson’s first artist book, “Tropicana” (2020), sold out in less than a week. It is now accessible for viewing through prestigious collections including The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Library in New York, New York and The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. In 2021, Aronson’s debut Miami solo exhibition, “Tropicana” (2021), opened at the Miami Design District. The show paired new works with vintage plastics to expand on the themes explored in his eponymous publication.
Recent solo exhibitions also include “Beyond Class”, Club Gallery, Miami, Florida (2022) and “I Thought About Posting This" Congruent Space, Chicago, Illinois (2019). Aronson has also participated in local, national and international group exhibitions including “Looking Along Side Another”, Studio Justine Kurland, Brooklyn, New York (2024); “Like a child”, curated by Daonne Huff, NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance) (2022); “Viewfinder”, curated by Ramon Bey and Malcolm Dia, Lower East Coast, Miami, Florida (2021); and “Sun Pours Daylong”, Miami Design District, Miami, Florida (2020).
Aronson earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois (2016). That following year, he began working for his hero, the artist Ryan McGinley, while making portraits of artists who he met online through social media platforms such as Instagram. In 2018, Rangefinder Magazine named Aronson’s work among its annual "Portraits of the Year". That same year, Photo District News named him among its "Emerging Photographers" to watch.
Aronson lives and works in Miami, Florida.
About the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places Committee
The Art in Public Places Committee is a seven-member City Commission-appointed citizen’s board responsible for the commission and purchase of artwork by contemporary artists in all media. The program allocates funds totaling 2% of hard costs for city projects and joint private/public projects. Funds from construction projects may be aggregated into the Art in Public Places Fund and allocated for artwork at public sites and for collection maintenance.
About the City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council
The Cultural Arts Council (CAC) is an 11-member body created in 1997 for the purpose of developing, coordinating and promoting the performing and visual arts in the City of Miami Beach. The CAC serves as arts advocates before governmental bodies, coordinates collective marketing initiatives for the local arts community and funds not-for-profit arts organizations. Since the program’s inception, the CAC has awarded approximately $18 million in cultural arts grants, supporting thousands of performances, exhibits, and other cultural activities in Miami Beach.
About the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA)
The MBVCA is a seven-member authority, appointed by the City of Miami Beach Commission, with the goal of encouraging, developing and promoting the image of Miami Beach locally, nationally and internationally as an outstanding tourist destination. To this end, the MBVCA strategically focuses its funding investments in a balanced manner, fostering outstanding existing programs, stimulating new activities and encouraging partnerships. The MBVCA is committed to a careful, long-term plan for allocation of resources to help Miami Beach thrive as a destination with something for everyone.
About the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB)
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is an accredited, independent not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami & Miami Beach for leisure, business, meetings and conventions. For a vacation guide, visit our website at www.MiamiandMiamiBeach.com or call 1.888.76.Miami (US/Canada only) or 305.447.7777. To reach the GMCVB offices dial 305.539.3000. Meeting planners may call 1.800.933.8448 (US/Canada only) or 305.539.3071 or visit www.MiamiMeetings.com. To get further engaged with Greater Miami & Miami Beach, join the conversation by following us on our social media channels at Facebook.com/visitmiami, X.com/visitmiami, Instagram.com/visitmiami, Tiktok.com/@visitmiami and Pinterest.com/visit_miami.
Press Contact
cityofmiamibeach@culturalcounsel.com
To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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Dec. 11, 2024
— With over 30 years of experience in the construction space —
Miami Beach, FL – Long-time public servant David A. Gomez has been appointed Director of the Miami Beach Office of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). Mr. Gomez succeeds David Martinez, who was promoted to the position of Assistant City Manager in November.
“David Gomez has a proven track record of overseeing complex capital improvement projects from concept to completion,” shared Miami Beach City Manager Eric T. Carpenter in announcing the appointment. “With 30 years of experience in architecture, construction management and capital improvement projects, David will be responsible for overseeing large-scale public and private sector construction projects involving the City of Miami Beach.”
Prior to joining the city in 2015 as a senior capital project coordinator, Gomez held various leadership positions in the private sector, including project manager at Recreational Design and Construction, where he oversaw the development of sports complexes, recreational facilities and environmental projects. He also served as a project architect at PBS & J and Zyscovich, lnc. where he contributed to significant aviation and government projects, including at Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. In addition to his professional experience, Gomez also is a LEED Accredited Professional through the U.S. Green Building Council.
“I am honored to be entrusted with the leadership of such a talented group of professionals, and look forward to working with the community, the administration and the elected officials to further improve our great city,” said Gomez, who had been serving as interim director of the Office of Capital Improvement Projects since April and as a CIP division director since 2018.
Gomez, who holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and history from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, has played key roles in various Miami Beach projects, including North Beach Oceanside Park, the Beachwalk, Collins Park Garage and Pride Park.
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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December 5, 2024
— Supporting Local Childcare Providers in Streamlining Operations and Attracting New Families —
Miami Beach, FL – The City of Miami Beach and Upwards, a national childcare network, have joined forces to improve local childcare services. Through the city's investment in the Upwards' Boost program, local childcare providers are now able to receive no-cost business and technical assistance to enhance operations, increase enrollment, create jobs, and ultimately offer better care to families.
“Investing in childcare is investing in the future,” said Director of Housing & Community Services Alba Tarre. “We’re excited to see how this collaboration will help providers and families thrive.”
Licensed daycare providers in Miami Beach can now enroll in the Upwards Boost program to streamline their operations and attract more families. Key benefits of the program include:
- Streamlined Operations: The Boost program offers free access to Upwards’ daycare management platform, automating administrative tasks and saving providers an average of 20 hours per week. This includes financial management, tuition processing, attendance tracking and subsidy reimbursement. The platform also features a library of curated activities for easier lesson planning.
- Increased Enrollment and Business Growth: Boost connects providers with families through Upwards' matching technology and marketing support, helping them quickly fill spots and expand capacity. Parents can easily communicate with caregivers in real time using the app, schedule virtual and in-person tours, and share photos and videos to stay connected and reassured about their children's well-being and care experience.
- Additionally, BOOST provides a year of personalized business coaching, with specialists helping childcare owners with business planning, staffing, license expansion, and building strong family relationships.
Miami Beach childcare providers interested in the program can sign up and learn more about Upwards and Boost at upwards.com/provide-care/boost or contact Upwards at 323.431.9223.
Families in Miami Beach can also use the Upwards app to get personalized support throughout the entire childcare process, from finding care to scheduling tours and enrolling.
"Upwards is proud to partner with Miami Beach to bring innovative childcare solutions to the community," said Jessa Santangelo, VP of Business Development and Community Impact at Upwards. “By supporting small childcare businesses and expanding access to quality care, together we're empowering all families to thrive.”
Since its launch in 2022, the Upwards BOOST program has proven to be a catalyst for childcare success in nearly 20 municipalities across the country. By stabilizing and creating new childcare jobs, the program has empowered providers to increase gross revenue by 30% and childcare spots by 50%. This growth has been instrumental in maintaining and expanding childcare accessibility, with 97% of participating providers remaining open throughout the program year.
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About Upwards:
Upwards (formerly WeeCare) is a technology-driven care solutions company with a mission to make care accessible to all families and empower the caregivers who provide it. Upwards brings together families, care providers, employers, and governments to create new care avenues in real-time and utilizes a data-driven approach to enhance the supply and capacity of the care system. Upwards matches families with caregivers equipped to meet their unique needs and connects families with the resources they need to afford care, whether through government subsidies or workplace benefits. To learn more, visit upwards.com.
To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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December 5, 2024
– Bridging and Building Connections, Communities and Culture –
Miami Beach, FL — A delegation from the City of Basel, Switzerland and the Switzerland diplomatic and business community are in Miami Beach this week to participate in Art Week Miami Beach and celebrate the Sister City relationship between Miami Beach and Basel.
The delegation met with Mayor Steven Meiner, City Commission members, and Miami Beach businesses to discuss efforts to foster more impactful cultural and economic exchanges. For more than 20 years, Miami Beach has become the winter center of the art universe and an auspicious occasion to strengthen the Miami Beach and Basel economic network.
“Our enduring partnership with Basel, Switzerland, is invaluable,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “This alliance ignites boundless opportunities, driving bold, visionary endeavors that push the frontiers of artistic innovation and global cultural impact.”
The Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Miami René Riedi shares, “the Sister City relationship, between Basel and Miami Beach is a vital link that continues to deepen our cultural and economic exchange. We are thrilled to expand this meaningful connection.”
The City of Miami Beach has had a Sister City relationship with Basel, Switzerland since 2011. Each year, the cities host each other to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.
“We are honored to welcome the valued guests from our Sister City of Basel, Switzerland," said Miami Beach City Commissioner Laura Dominguez. “Collaboration is an amazing means for achievement, and our collective efforts are magnified when we work together.”
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About Miami Beach Sister Cities
Miami Beach Sister Cities is a diplomatic platform that seeks to promote cooperation and direct engagement with global partners on mutual issues concerning economic development, commerce, tourism, education, and art and culture. The Miami Beach Sister Cities Committee is appointed by the Miami Beach Mayor and City Commission and its mission is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, cooperation and citizen diplomacy for the benefit of Miami Beach and its Sister Cities. For more information on the City of Miami Beach Sister Cities Program, please see Sister Cities - City of Miami Beach.
To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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December 4, 2024
— Selected Artwork Joins City’s Permanent Public Art Collection —
Miami Beach, FL – The City of Miami Beach is pleased to announce that Allegory of Florida, by Nina Surel, represented by Spinello Projects, has been selected by Miami Beach residents as this year’s acquisition for the Legacy Purchase Program.
An annual initiative, the city’s Art in Public Places Committee selected artworks by william cordova, Ximena Garrido-Lecca, and Nina Surel from the Art Basel Miami Beach Positions, Nova, and newcomers joining the main sector from Nova or Positions within the last four years with a budget of up to $50,000. The public then voted among the finalists, selecting Nina Surel’s Allegory of Florida for accession into the city’s public art collection.
“This year’s Legacy Purchase not only enriches our public art collection but reaffirms Miami Beach’s status as a global leader in artistic excellence,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “The public participation in this selection process underscores the deep connection our residents have to art’s power to inspire, tell stories, and enhance our cultural footprint.”
Nina Surel’s art explores life’s rituals, drawing from art history and her personal journey. She captures transformation, aging, resilience, and fragility in mediums like clay, plants, and raw canvas. A monumental wall relief composed of over 100 pieces of stoneware ceramic, Allegory of Florida narrates a journey through time, and imagines Florida as a goddess of feminine fertility. Complete with references to native flora and fauna such as Herons, Coonties, Florida Beauty berries, Seagrapes and Cocoplums, the work underscores the esoteric connotations and interconnectedness of our local ecosystem. Surel’s art envisions a world beyond stereotypes, exploring identity, transformation, and our profound connection to the Earth. The work celebrates women’s role in nurturing a sustainable world and embracing a diverse, non-binary reality. It reconnects with matriarchal legacies, honoring the timeless, feminine earth.
“It’s my pleasure to represent and place the second work into the Legacy Collection by a woman artist,” said Anthony Spinello. “This acquisition and recognition hits differently considering women artists are still underrepresented, undervalued, and especially at a time when women’s rights are being challenged.”
Nina Surel is a Miami-based multidisciplinary artist from Argentina. Her work investigates the relationship between earthly matter and the human body. She is inspired by rites of passage and themes related to fertility. Her practice incorporates techniques such as video, photography, painting, sculpture, performance, and installation. Surel studied Fashion Design at the University of Buenos Aires and Stage and Costume Design at the Arts Institute of Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in galleries and institutions in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Some venues where her art has been displayed are the Church of San Matteo in Lucca, Italy, the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in Long Beach, California, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in North Miami, Florida, the Boca Raton Museum of Art in Florida, and Miami International Airport. Her work is in permanent collections of El Espacio 23 (Miami, FL).
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About the Legacy Purchase Program
The Legacy Purchase Program began in 2019, acquiring world-class art pieces for the city’s public collection and growing in value as artists further their professional careers. This program seeks to strategically expand the City’s current public art collection by pursuing artwork that is reflective of our community, aligned with the curatorial direction of our existing collection, reflects artistic excellence and relevance in terms of current artistic practices, and is a valuable investment to the Art in Public Places Collection. Previous acquisitions include works from Juana Valdés, Sanford Biggers, Amoako Boafo, Ebony G. Patterson, and Farah Al Qasimi.
About the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places Program
Art in Public Places Committee is a seven-member city board responsible for the commission and purchase of artwork by contemporary artists in all media. The program allocates funds totaling 2% of hard costs for City projects and joint private/public projects. Funds from construction projects may be aggregated into the Art in Public Places Fund and allocated for artwork at public sites and for collection maintenance.
To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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November 22, 2024
Miami Beach Residents Vote on Works to Be Acquired for the Public Art Collection at Miami Beach Convention Center
Miami Beach, FL — Today, the City of Miami Beach announced the finalists for its 2024 Legacy Purchase Program. Each year, the city’s Art in Public Places Committee selects three stand-out artworks from the emerging artists of the Art Basel Miami Beach Positions, Nova, and newcomers joining the main sector from Positions or Nova within the last four years with a $50,000 budget. The city then invites the public to vote for their favorite work. Once voting closes, the winning artwork will be purchased by the City of Miami Beach for permanent display in the Miami Beach Convention Center, as part of the city’s Art in Public Places Collection.
This year, the three finalists are william cordova (presented by 80M2 Livia Benavides), Ximena Garrido-Lecca (presented by 80M2 Livia Benavides), and Nina Surel (presented by Spinello Projects).
The public may cast their votes at www.mbartsandculture.org/legacy-purchase-program
starting Friday, Nov. 22 at 9 a.m. through Monday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m.
See below for information about each of the finalists.
william cordova (sin titulo (rumi maki #46), 2023), 80M2 Livia Benavides
(Born 1971, Lima, Peru)
william cordova, sin titulo (rumi maki #46), 2023. Ink, acrylic paint on cardboard, 74.4 x 71.2 in. Courtesy the artist and 80M2 Livia Benavides.
The sculptures, installations and works on paper of william cordova are strongly influenced by a transcultural biography that took him from his birthplace of Lima, Peru, via Miami, Florida, to places across the US and Europe. His subjects are drawn from a continuum of radical movements and players in struggles for self-determination. In his series rumi maki, cordova takes on an ethnographic approach in addressing shared symbolism found in textile data encoding and architectural design. Named after the ancient Andean martial arts, rumi maki consists of multi-colored collages on paper, constructed from vivid layers of recycled paint chips. The arrangement of colors and patterns carry latent meanings, dependent on geography, culture, and the readings of celestial bodies. As cosmological maps, the collages synthesize the sacred geometries of architecture with the visual narratives of historical civilizations.
Ximena Garrido-Lecca (Modulations - sequence XVI, 2024), 80M2 Livia Benavides
(Born 1980, Lima, Peru)
Ximena Garrido-Lecca, Modulations - sequence XVI, 2024. Copper, 56.29 x 48.8 in. Courtesy the artist and 80M2 Livia Benavides.
In her Modulations series, Ximena Garrido-Lecca continues to explore the role of copper in Peru’s economy, where this natural resource is exported as a raw material for its use in tech industries. In many of her other works, the artist brings industrialized copper materials back into artisanal practices, reflecting on the erasure of traditional cultures, often triggered by extractivist policies. These new works integrate a series of abstract symbols inspired by modernist corporate logos used by diverse industries and corporate entities. By using these geometric symbols in a traditional woven form, she questions the relation between these modern images, tied to the engines of modernization and the global economy, and their links to pre-Columbian abstraction. The work also highlights the demand for accelerated growth and modernization in the context of a growing economy, under unregulated natural resource extraction, which often does not generate investment in local infrastructure and social welfare, but instead favors corporate gain.
Nina Surel (Allegory of Florida, 2023), Spinello Projects
(Born 1971, Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Nina Surel, Allegory of Florida, 2023. Stoneware ceramic, 190 x 104 x 5 in. Courtesy the artist and Spinello Projects.
Nina Surel’s art explores life’s rituals, drawing from art history and her personal journey. She captures transformation, aging, resilience, and fragility in mediums like clay, plants, and raw canvas. A monumental wall relief composed of over 100 pieces of stoneware ceramic, Allegory of Florida narrates a journey through time, and imagines Florida as a goddess of feminine fertility. Complete with references to native flora and fauna such as Herons, Coonties, Florida Beauty berries, Seagrapes and Cocoplums, the work underscores the esoteric connotations and interconnectedness of our local ecosystem. Surel’s art envisions a world beyond stereotypes, exploring identity, transformation, and our profound connection to the Earth. The work celebrates women’s role in nurturing a sustainable world and embracing a diverse, non-binary reality. It reconnects with matriarchal legacies, honoring the timeless, feminine earth.
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About the Legacy Purchase Program
The Legacy Purchase Program began in 2019, acquiring world-class art pieces for the city’s public collection and growing in value as artists further their professional careers. This program seeks to strategically expand the City’s current public art collection by pursuing artwork that is reflective of our community, aligned with the curatorial direction of our existing collection, reflects artistic excellence and relevance in terms of current artistic practices, and is a valuable investment to the Art in Public Places Collection. Previous acquisitions include works from Juana Valdés, Sanford Biggers, Amoako Boafo, Ebony G. Patterson, and Farah Al Qasimi.
About the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places Program
The Art in Public Places Committee is a seven-member city board responsible for the commission and purchase of artwork by contemporary artists in all media. The program allocates funds totaling 2% of hard costs for City projects and joint private/public projects. Funds from construction projects may be aggregated into the Art in Public Places Fund and allocated for artwork at public sites and for collection maintenance.
Press Contact
cityofmiamibeach@culturalcounsel.com
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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November 21, 2024
— The complimentary services promise art enthusiasts a more relaxing trip from downtown Miami to Miami Beach —
Miami Beach, FL – This year’s installment of Art Week Miami Beach will for the first time include complimentary water taxis connecting Miami Beach with downtown Miami, along with a fleet of free, dedicated shuttle buses designed to transport visitors and residents to a variety of art fairs.
“We’re taking creative steps to ease the surge of traffic expected during one of our busiest weeks of the year,” said Miami Beach City Manager Eric T. Carpenter. “These transit options allow both visitors and residents to leave their cars behind and enjoy one of the year’s most anticipated events — without contributing to the gridlock. It’s a great way to explore the art fairs and installations in both Miami Beach and across the bay, while avoiding the stress of driving.”
Water Taxi Service
Four water taxi vessels will operate across beautiful Biscayne Bay from Wednesday, Dec. 4 to Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to midnight, and on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The water taxi service will run every 15 minutes between Maurice Gibb Memorial Park (1790 Purdy Avenue) in Miami Beach and the Venetian Marina & Yacht Club (1635 North Bayshore Drive) in Miami.
Art Week Dedicated Shuttles
A series of free, dedicated shuttles linking the water taxi and several art fairs will run every 15 minutes throughout Miami Beach to connect visitors and residents with several art fairs. Shuttle operating hours will mirror the water taxis, and can be tracked in real time on the Art Week Miami Beach website at www.artweekmb.com.
Outer Loop Art Week shuttles will travel to/from Miami Beach to Miami with stops at Miami Beach Convention Center Drive between 17 and 18 streets as well as Royal Palm Avenue between 41 and 42 streets. The two Miami stops are at NE 29 Street and N Miami Avenue as well as NE 38 Street and NE 1 Avenue.
Inner Loop Art Week shuttles will travel within Miami Beach to/from locations in South Beach, the Miami Beach Convention Center, the water taxi stop at Maurice Gibb Memorial Park and Mid Beach. South Beach stops include Collins Avenue between 10 and 11 streets, Convention Center Drive between 17 and 18 streets as well as Collins Avenue and 22 Street. Mid Beach stops include Royal Palm Avenue between 41 and 42 streets, Collins Avenue and 46 Street, Collins Avenue and 32 Street as well as the water taxi at Purdy Avenue and 18 Street, adjacent to Maurice Gibb Memorial Park.
A dedicated Water Taxi Connector shuttle will operate between the Miami Beach water taxi stop at Maurice Gibb Memorial Park (1790 Purdy Avenue) and the Miami Beach Convention Center (Convention Center Drive between 17 and 18 streets).
Park and Ride
The city will provide free shuttles and water taxi service to and from designated pickup and drop-off locations in the immediate vicinity of various parking garages in Miami Beach and Miami.
The designated shuttle pickup and drop-off locations in Miami Beach are as follows:
- Royal Palm Ave. between 41 and 42 streets serving the 42 St. Garage (4049 Royal Palm Ave.)
- Convention Center Dr. between 17 and 18 streets serving the 17 St. Garage (640 17 St.), Pennsylvania Ave. Garage (1661 Pennsylvania Ave.) and Miami Beach City Hall Garage (1755 Meridian Ave.)
- Purdy Ave. and 18 St. serving the Sunset Harbour Garage (1900 Bay Rd.)
The designated shuttle pickup and drop-off location in Miami is as follows:
- NE 38 Street and NE 1 Ave. serving the City View Garage (25 NE 38 Street), Palm Court Garage (155 NE 38 St.) and Public Parking Lot (3630 NE 1 Ct.)
The designated water taxi pickup and drop-off locations in Miami Beach/Miami are as follows:
- Miami Beach - Maurice Gibb Memorial Park (1790 Purdy Ave.) serving the Sunset Harbour Garage (1900 Bay Rd.)
- Miami - Venetian Marina & Yacht Club (1635 North Bayshore Dr.) serving the Omni Garage (453 NE 15 St.)
Click here to view a detailed map of the various free shuttle and water taxi routes as well as Park and Ride locations
Miami Beach Trolley & Bicycle Options
Residents and visitors can also take advantage of the year-round free Miami Beach Trolley, which connects various neighborhoods, as well as Freebee services. The Miami Beach Trolley service will operate at an enhanced frequency of service from 8 a.m. to midnight each day, to help reduce the anticipated traffic congestion. Download the Transit app to track specific trolleys in real-time.
Biking and micro-mobility enthusiasts will find miles of beachwalk, green bike lanes and convenient bicycle parking throughout Miami Beach. View the city’s bicycle parking maps for more information. Additionally, Citi Bike offers more than a thousand bicycles, including electric-assisted bikes, at conveniently located bike sharing stations throughout the city.
Miami-Dade Transit also offers Metrobus service to and from the mainland. The closest taxi, ride-share and valet locations to the Miami Beach Convention Center will be on the east side of Convention Center Drive north of 18 Street and on the west side of Washington Avenue between 20 and 21 streets and also south of 18 Street.
Peak Travel Times
The heaviest traffic during Art Week Miami Beach typically occurs on weekday afternoons with congestion increasing closer to the weekend. Traffic congestion leaving Miami Beach can be exacerbated by traffic or incidents on major thoroughfares outside of the city, including I-395, I-195 and I-95. The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) ongoing road work and lane reductions near the Biscayne Boulevard off-ramp in downtown Miami is expected to impede westbound traffic leaving Miami Beach along the MacArthur Causeway. A citywide construction moratorium will suspend all non-city construction-related activities within the city’s right of way throughout the week — prohibiting road, sidewalk and lane closures.
To reduce congestion along the Venetian Causeway connecting downtown Miami and Miami Beach, the east Venetian Causeway drawbridge will be on lockdown and will not open to vessels from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 7, and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 and Monday, Dec. 9, except emergency vessels and vessels in distress.
The city plans to implement special event signal timing changes and other traffic management measures, as needed, along major thoroughfares with an enhanced level of traffic monitoring for Art Week Miami Beach. This will include 17 hours of traffic monitoring, from 7 a.m. to midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 7. Beyond those dates, the traffic monitoring services will continue from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Traffic monitors will coordinate with the Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) to enforce traffic regulations at intersections while keeping motorists informed of delays through digital message signs. The city will proactively communicate with Waze, Google and Inrix to accurately reflect all street closures on their respective mobile platforms in real-time.
In addition, the city will issue traffic text alerts as warranted to notify the public of major roadway incidents. Subscribe to receive traffic text message alerts by texting MBAlert to 888777. City staff will work closely with the FDOT SunGuide Traffic Management Center to program traffic messages on overhead digital message signs along I-95, SR 112/I-195 and SR 836/I-395 regarding any major incidents affecting traffic flow on Miami Beach causeways.
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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November 21, 2024
— Enjoy Public Art, Programming and Special Events for Art Week Miami Beach from Dec. 2 – 8, 2024 —
Miami Beach, FL — The City of Miami Beach looks forward to welcoming visitors from around the world for the 2024 edition of Art Week Miami Beach from Monday, Dec. 2 to Sunday, Dec. 8. The week will be packed with opportunities to engage in art and culture around the city, with public art installations, one-of-a-kind exhibitions, captivating events and glamorous parties. Always fresh and exciting, Art Week Miami Beach will transform the city’s seven miles of pristine beaches, world-class hotels, and award-winning restaurants into an artistic playground for residents and visitors alike.
“Art Basel Miami Beach is a signature event and we look forward to it each December,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “Art Week is more than a showcase; our city becomes a global canvas, welcoming residents and visitors to experience the creativity and cultural depth that define Miami Beach.”
Art Basel Miami Beach will feature 285 leading international galleries from 38 countries, starting with Preview Days on Dec. 4 and 5, followed by Public Days from Dec. 6 to 8 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Around two-thirds of the exceptional exhibitors this year are based in the Americas, joined by galleries from Europe and Asia. Thirty-four galleries will be exhibiting at the fair for the first time, bringing new perspectives to this important moment for the art world and for the City of Miami Beach. This year’s edition will see the return of the fair’s Conversations program, which is free and open to the public.
The City of Miami Beach will also curate its own public exhibitions during Art Week Miami Beach, including along Española Way and in 12 hotel lobbies across the city.
Elevate Española will present Sundial Spectrum, a site-specific art installation and mural by Miami-born artist Jen Stark on Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. on Española Way between Washington and Collins avenues. The work will feature 13 sculptural panels fabricated from clear acrylic sheets, layered with laser-cut transparent vinyl — showcasing Stark’s signature spectrum of bold colors. Inspired by geometry and natural forms, the hypnotic patterns will interact and shift throughout the day. As sunlight filters through, viewers will find themselves surrounded by rainbow shadows along Española Way.
The piece is the seventh installment of Elevate Española, a temporary public art program launched by the city in 2022, which aims to enhance the corridor and encourage pedestrian connectivity to Ocean Drive.
Other highlights of Art Week Miami Beach include the fifth edition of the city-produced and curated No Vacancy, Miami Beach, a juried art competition that supports and celebrates local artists, provokes critical discourse and encourages the public to experience Miami Beach’s famed hotels as art destinations. Once again, 12 participating artists and collectives will present site-specific works at 12 different hotels around the city. Funded in partnership with the Miami Beach Visitors and Convention Authority, this year’s art competition features $35,000 in prize money, including a $10,000 public prize presented by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and a $25,000 juried prize to be decided by nationally recognized art experts. Each artist received a $10,000 stipend to create their installation at an assigned hotel. The installations are available for viewing now through Dec. 12.
The Art Basel Legacy Purchase Program will return for its sixth year with previously acquired works by artists Sanford Biggers, Amoako Boafo, Ebony G. Patterson, Farah Al Qasimi, Juana Valdes and Anneke Eussen on behalf of the residents of Miami Beach. The annual program tasks the city’s Art in Public Places Committee with selecting three world-class pieces of artwork from the emerging artists of the Art Basel Miami Beach Positions and Nova Sections with a $50,000 budget. The city then asks the public to vote for its favorite, and the winning artwork will be purchased by the City of Miami Beach to go on permanent display in the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CULTURAL ACTIVATIONS FOR ART WEEK MIAMI BEACH 2024
No Vacancy, Miami Beach | Multiple locations throughout Miami Beach | Daily, self-guided tours | Various times
The City of Miami Beach presents the fifth edition of No Vacancy, a juried contemporary public art competition that celebrates 12 artists in 12 of Miami Beach’s famed hotels. Funded in partnership with the Miami Beach Visitors and Convention Authority, the program will run through Dec. 12.
The Bass | 2100 Collins Ave.
Daily | 10 AM – 5 PM
The Bass is open daily, Sunday, Dec. 1 to Sunday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Bass will be exhibiting Rachel Feinstein: The Miami Years; Ulla von Brandenburg: In Dialogue; Heureux Sous Son Ombre - (LA)HORDE; assume vivid astro focus: XI; Performing Perspectives: A Collection in Dialogue; and Social Assembly: Welcome to the Museum.
Miami Beach Bandshell | 7275 Collins Ave.
Wednesday, Dec. 4 – Saturday, Dec. 7 | Various times
The Tribeca Festival returns to Art Basel Miami Beach from Dec. 4 to 7 at the Miami Beach Bandshell for four nights of music-forward programming, including live performances, special screenings, talks and more. Highlights include: a conversation with Cuban-born singer-songwriter Camila Cabello; a show by Miami’s alternative pop-duo Magdalena Bay; performances from Brazilian singer-songwriter Luedji Luna, Soul in the Horn’s Natasha Diggs and more; a retrospective screening of Mike Nichols’ “The Birdcage,” and a live performance by local drag queens.
Miami Design Preservation League | 1001 Ocean Drive
Daily | 9 AM – 5 PM
Explore featured exhibit Henry Hohauser: Designing Paradise and join CADA (Contemporary African Diaspora Art) for the AfroSpiritual Energetics Art Exhibition, on view from Dec. 6 to 8, as well as the free 15th Annual Panel Discussion on Dec. 8 from noon to 4 p.m.
Holocaust Memorial |1933 Meridian Ave.
Daily, self-guided tours
Guests are invited to explore the moving artistry of the Holocaust Memorial for reflection and contemplation.
Jewish Museum of Florida - FIU | 301 Washington Ave.
Wednesday – Sunday | 10 AM – 4 PM
The Jewish Museum of Florida - FIU will present three exhibitions showcasing the talent of Jewish Artists: Built to Last: The Art of Steve Marcus; Step Into the Garden of the Finzi Continis; and The Story of Jews and Cannabis.
Special programming at the Jewish Museum of Florida - FIU includes:
Annual Open House
Sunday, Dec. 8 | 10 AM – Noon
Visitors can enjoy complimentary refreshments and meet the artists behind the inspiring exhibitions on view.
Oolite Arts | 924 & 928 Lincoln Road
Wednesday – Sunday | Noon – 5 PM
Special programming at Oolite Arts includes:
Open Studios, Brunch and Tour
Saturday, Dec. 7 | 10:30 AM – Noon
The Open Studios, Brunch and Tour event will present a tour of the exhibition Healing Nature, curated by Artistic Director Omar Lopez- Chahoud, with a reception and performance by Vanessa Albery. Enjoy a brunch in the company of the resident artists and explore their studios.
Miami Beach Urban Studios |1618 Washington Ave.
Weekdays | 9 AM – 5 PM
Special programming at the Miami Beach Urban Studio includes:
Washington Gallery | 1618 Washington Ave.
Opening Reception, Tuesday, Dec. 3 | 5 PM – 8 PM
The Department of Architecture, in collaboration with Fundación Espacio, presents the exhibition A Fascination of Forms: The Architecture of Jesús & Ana Tenreiro, dedicated to exploring the work and practice of renowned Venezuelan architects Jesús and Ana Tenreiro.
Design Gallery | 420 Lincoln Road, 4th Floor
Opening Reception, Tuesday, Dec. 3 | 5 PM – 8 PM
The FIU Department of Architecture will present the exhibition American Institute of Architects: 2024 Students' Awards, showcasing the work of eight students and alumni who received awards during this year's AIA Florida and AIA Miami Design Awards.
Miami Beach Visual Arts Gallery | 1602A Washington Ave.
Opening Reception, Tuesday, Dec. 3 | 6 PM – 8 PM
Unravelling Uniformity is an exhibition featuring the diverse range of works by seven students from Florida International University's MFA program. Artists include: Alexandra Berlin, Vero Murphy, Nina Ellery Oliveira, Jessenya Rodriguez, Eduardo Sayegh, Pedro Sena and Jacob Stiltner.
The Wolfsonian–FIU |1001 Washington Ave.
Daily, Free Art Week Miami Beach Admission | 10 AM – 6 PM
The Wolfsonian–FIU will be exhibiting The Big World: Alternative Landscapes in the Modern Era; Harry Clarke and the Geneva Window; HEARST: Lampooning the King of Yellow Journalism; and In Balance.
Miami New Drama | 1040 Lincoln Road
Thursday, Dec. 5 – Feb. 16, 2025
Lincoln Road Hustle is an immersive, site-specific World Premiere staged across Lincoln Road— activating restaurants, shops, cafés, and public spaces. Audiences move between locations, discovering the story’s plot and secrets.
Moonlighter FabLab | 1661 Pennsylvania Ave.
Open daily for pre-registered workshops | 10 AM – 6 PM
Special programming at Moonlighter FabLab includes:
BATHGATE: The Machinist Sculptor
Thursday, Dec. 5 – May 31, 2025 | 10 AM – 6 PM
A special exhibition debuting during Miami Art Week and Art Basel Miami presented in The Phase Gallery. Visitors to the exhibition will view a selection of Bathgate’s machined metal works made as part of a formalistic and conceptual investigation of modern, computer-numerically controlled machining as a creative medium.
From Residue to Resource: Transforming Sugarcane Waste Into New Materials
Saturday, Dec. 7 | 10 AM – 6 PM
Discover a practical approach to eco-friendly and resource-efficient design! In this immersive workshop, participants will explore ways to reimagine this “waste” as a valuable resource. The end of the day will culminate with a presentation by the artist that is free and open to the public from 5-6 p.m.
Miami Beach Botanical Garden | 2000 Convention Center Drive
Daily, self-guided tours
This free self-guided audio tour takes participants along the Collins Canal from the botanical garden to the beach. Pick up a guide card at the facility entrance on Convention Center Drive.
ART WEEK MIAMI BEACH 2024 FAIRS & PARTNERS
Art Basel Miami Beach | Miami Beach Convention Center
Friday, Dec. 6 – Sunday, Dec. 8 (Public Days) | 11 AM – 6 PM
Design Miami | Pride Park, 1809 Meridian Ave.
Wednesday, Dec. 4 | 1 PM – 7 PM
Thursday, Dec. 5 – Saturday, Dec. 7 | 11 AM – 7 PM
Sunday, Dec. 8 | 11 AM – 6 PM
Untitled Art | Ocean Drive and 12 Street
Wednesday, Dec. 4 – Saturday, Dec. 7 | 11 AM – 7 PM
Saturday, Dec. 8 | 11 AM – 5 PM
SCOPE Art Show | Ocean Drive between 8 and 9 streets
Wednesday, Dec. 4 – Sunday, Dec. 8 | 11 AM – 8 PM
Aqua Art Miami | 1530 Collins Ave.
Thursday, Dec. 5 | Noon – 9 PM
Friday, Dec. 6 – Saturday, Dec. 7 | 11 AM – 9 PM
Sunday, Dec. 8 | 11 AM – 6 PM
SATELLITE Art Show | 700 Lincoln Road
Thursday, Dec. 5 – Friday, Dec. 6 | 1 PM – 10 PM
Saturday, Dec. 7 | Noon – 10 PM
Sunday, Dec. 8 | Noon – 5 PM
INK Miami Art Fair | 1850 Collins Ave.
Wednesday, Dec. 4 | Noon – 7 PM
Thursday, Dec. 5 – Saturday, Dec. 7 | 10 AM – 7 PM
Sunday, Dec. 8 | 10 AM – 3 PM
The Betsy Hotel | 1440 Ocean Drive
Daily | 10 AM – 10 PM
The Betsy Hotel’s initiatives for Art Week Miami Beach include exhibitions featuring Lillian Bassman, Willy Ronis, Aela Morgan, Mac Stone, Clyde Butcher, Elinor Carrucci, Maria Daniela Blacazar, Andy Sweet, Bettina von Zwehl, Sonia Hamza, Jill Greer, Ernie Button, Enzo Barracco, [dNASAb] and Juan Carlos Zaldivar. Exhibitions will be open for self-guided tours starting on Dec. 1. Additional programming includes:
Property-Wide Opening Party
Friday, Dec. 6 | 5 PM – 8 PM
Free and open to the public, guests are invited to tour photo collections, lightbox shows, digital and public art installations, and attend a commissioned dance performance choreographed by Peter London to music by Jose Elias.
Installation: Augmented Visions of the NatureVerse
Thursday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 1 – Thursday, Dec. 12 | Evenings
Occurring multiple days in November and December, Augmented Reality Activated Stills by [dNASAb] will project onto the Betsy Orb after sunset. Presented with the City of Miami Beach No Vacancy Program and Miami Beach Visitor Convention Authority.
Live Music: Art of Miami Jazz past and present
Multiple Dates
Join jazz musicians in The Piano Bar for a celebration of the Art of Miami Jazz past and present throughout November and December.
- Saturday, Nov. 30 | 9 PM: Homage to Josephine Baker with vocalist Nicole Yarling and the Jim Gasior Trio
- Thursday, Dec. 5 | 6 PM – 11 PM: Leonard Reina, Solo Jazz Piano
- Friday, Dec. 6 | 6 PM – 12 AM: The Simon Mogul (Sax) Quartet featuring Curtis Lundy (Bass)
- Saturday Dec. 7 | 6 PM – 12 AM: The Harden Project
Faena | 3201 Collins Ave.
Daily | 10 AM – 6 PM
This year, Faena Art features newly commissioned site-specific installations throughout the Faena District from Dec. 3 through 8. Monumental works and exhibitions will set the stage at Faena Beach, Cathedral and Faena Art Project Room.
Lincoln Road Business Improvement District | Lincoln Road
Now – July 2025
The iconic outdoor shopping, dining and cultural destination situated in the heart of Miami Beach unveils two monumental sculptures XO World and Dream Machine. In partnership with the City of Miami Beach, Daniel Anderson’s XO World makes its Florida debut on the pedestrian promenade. Joining XO World on Lincoln Road is Dream Machine by visual artist Rubem Robierb.
The ReefLine | Beachfront between 36 – 37 Streets
Tuesday, Dec. 3 – Sunday, Dec. 8 | 8 AM – 6:30 PM
The ReefLine will present Star Compass, a series of three large-scale beachside public art installations debuting during Art Week. Curated by The ReefLine founder Ximena Caminos and Art&Newport founder Dodie Kazanjian, the installations are intended to honor the interconnectedness of land and ocean.
Featured artworks include: Miami Reef Star, a large-scale 60 ft sculptural installation of 56 star modules by Carlos Betancourt in collaboration with Alberto Latorre; The Great Elephant Migration by Elephant Family, an installation of 100 life-sized Indian elephants crafted from lantana camara, one of the world’s top invasive weeds; and Voile/Toile - Toile/Voile, one of Daniel Buren’s most significant works.
GETTING AROUND
This year’s installment of Art Week Miami Beach will for the first time include complimentary water taxis connecting Miami Beach with downtown Miami, along with a fleet of free, dedicated shuttle buses designed to transport visitors and residents to a variety of art fairs.
Water Taxi Service
Four water taxi vessels will operate across beautiful Biscayne Bay from Wednesday, Dec. 4 to Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to midnight, and on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The water taxi service will run every 15 minutes between Maurice Gibb Memorial Park (1790 Purdy Avenue) in Miami Beach and the Venetian Marina & Yacht Club (1635 North Bayshore Drive) in Miami.
Art Week Dedicated Shuttles
A series of free, dedicated shuttles linking the water taxi and several art fairs will run every 15 minutes throughout Miami Beach to connect visitors and residents with several art fairs. Shuttle operating hours will mirror the water taxis, and can be tracked in real time on the Art Week Miami Beach website at www.artweekmb.com.
Outer Loop Art Week shuttles will travel to/from Miami Beach to Miami with stops at Miami Beach Convention Center Drive between 17 and 18 streets as well as Royal Palm Avenue between 41 and 42 streets. The two Miami stops are at NE 29 Street and N Miami Avenue as well as NE 38 Street and NE 1 Avenue.
Inner Loop Art Week shuttles will travel within Miami Beach to/from locations in South Beach, the Miami Beach Convention Center, the water taxi stop at Maurice Gibb Memorial Park and Mid Beach. South Beach stops include Collins Avenue between 10 and 11 streets, Convention Center Drive between 17 and 18 streets as well as Collins Avenue and 22 Street. Mid Beach stops include Royal Palm Avenue between 41 and 42 streets, Collins Avenue and 46 Street, Collins Avenue and 32 Street as well as the water taxi at Purdy Avenue and 18 Street, adjacent to Maurice Gibb Memorial Park.
A dedicated Water Taxi Connector shuttle will operate between the Miami Beach water taxi stop at Maurice Gibb Memorial Park (1790 Purdy Avenue) and the Miami Beach Convention Center (Convention Center Drive between 17 and 18 streets).
Park and Ride
The city will provide free shuttles and water taxi service to and from designated pickup and drop-off locations in the immediate vicinity of various parking garages in Miami Beach and Miami.
The designated shuttle pickup and drop-off locations in Miami Beach are as follows:
- Royal Palm Ave. between 41 and 42 streets serving the 42 St. Garage (4049 Royal Palm Ave.)
- Convention Center Dr. between 17 and 18 streets serving the 17 St. Garage (640 17 St.), Pennsylvania Ave. Garage (1661 Pennsylvania Ave.) and Miami Beach City Hall Garage (1755 Meridian Ave.)
- Purdy Ave. and 18 St. serving the Sunset Harbour Garage (1900 Bay Rd.)
The designated shuttle pickup and drop-off location in Miami is as follows:
- NE 38 Street and NE 1 Ave. serving the City View Garage (25 NE 38 Street), Palm Court Garage (155 NE 38 St.) and Public Parking Lot (3630 NE 1 Ct.)
The designated water taxi pickup and drop-off locations in Miami Beach/Miami are as follows:
- Miami Beach - Maurice Gibb Memorial Park (1790 Purdy Ave.) serving the Sunset Harbour Garage (1900 Bay Rd.)
- Miami - Venetian Marina & Yacht Club (1635 North Bayshore Dr.) serving the Omni Garage (453 NE 15 St.)
Click here to view a detailed map of the various free shuttle and water taxi routes as well as Park and Ride locations.
Miami Beach Trolley & Bicycle Options
Residents and visitors can also take advantage of the year-round free Miami Beach Trolley, which connects various neighborhoods, as well as Freebee services. The Miami Beach Trolley service will operate at an enhanced frequency of service from 8 a.m. to midnight each day, to help reduce the anticipated traffic congestion. Download the Transit app to track specific trolleys in real-time.
Biking and micro-mobility enthusiasts will find miles of beachwalk, green bike lanes and convenient bicycle parking throughout Miami Beach. View the city’s bicycle parking maps for more information. Additionally, Citi Bike offers more than a thousand bicycles, including electric-assisted bikes, at conveniently located bike sharing stations throughout the city.
Miami-Dade Transit also offers Metrobus service to and from the mainland. The closest taxi, ride-share and valet locations to the Miami Beach Convention Center will be on the east side of Convention Center Drive north of 18 Street and on the west side of Washington Avenue between 20 and 21 streets and also south of 18 Street.
Peak Travel Times
The heaviest traffic during Art Week Miami Beach typically occurs on weekday afternoons with congestion increasing closer to the weekend. Traffic congestion leaving Miami Beach can be exacerbated by traffic or incidents on major thoroughfares outside of the city, including I-395, I-195 and I-95. The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) ongoing road work and lane reductions near the Biscayne Boulevard off-ramp in downtown Miami is expected to impede westbound traffic leaving Miami Beach along the MacArthur Causeway. A citywide construction moratorium will suspend all non-city construction-related activities within the city’s right of way throughout the week — prohibiting road, sidewalk and lane closures.
To reduce congestion along the Venetian Causeway connecting downtown Miami and Miami Beach, the east Venetian Causeway drawbridge will be on lockdown and will not open to vessels from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 7, and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 and Monday, Dec. 9, except emergency vessels and vessels in distress.
The city plans to implement special event signal timing changes and other traffic management measures, as needed, along major thoroughfares with an enhanced level of traffic monitoring for Art Week Miami Beach. This will include 17 hours of traffic monitoring, from 7 a.m. to midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 7. Beyond those dates, the traffic monitoring services will continue from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Traffic monitors will coordinate with the Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) to enforce traffic regulations at intersections while keeping motorists informed of delays through digital message signs. The city will proactively communicate with Waze, Google and Inrix to accurately reflect all street closures on their respective mobile platforms in real-time.
In addition, the city will issue traffic text alerts as warranted to notify the public of major roadway incidents. Subscribe to receive traffic text message alerts by texting MBAlert to 888777. City staff will work closely with the FDOT SunGuide Traffic Management Center to program traffic messages on overhead digital message signs along I-95, SR 112/I-195 and SR 836/I-395 regarding any major incidents affecting traffic flow on Miami Beach causeways.
PUBLIC SAFETY
To enhance public safety, MBPD will significantly increase its staffing levels from Wednesday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 8. In a concerted effort, officers will be deployed for additional shifts, including overtime and off-duty. Their strategic placement along key intersections in and around events, as well as in residential neighborhoods surrounding the Miami Beach Convention Center and along the 41 Street corridor, aims to ensure attendees' safety and address potential traffic challenges.
MBPD officers will be assigned the task of strategically reducing instances of cut-through traffic within residential areas. By encouraging drivers to utilize main thoroughfares, the city aims to minimize disruption to local neighborhoods. MBPD’s Public Safety Specialists will be strategically posted to assist with traffic mitigation.
For additional information on Art Week Miami Beach, visit www.artweekmb.com.
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November 14, 2024
Newly Commissioned Work Will Be Unveiled During Art Week Miami Beach 2024
Miami Beach, FL – The City of Miami Beach is pleased to announce Sundial Spectrum, a site-specific art installation and mural by Miami-born artist Jen Stark, opening on Tuesday, December 3 at 1 p.m. between Washington and Collins avenues. Sundial Spectrum is the seventh iteration of Elevate Española, the city’s public art program featuring commissioned works installed over Española Way.
Sundial Spectrum consists of 13 sculptural hanging panels showcasing Stark’s signature bold colors on vinyl laminated polycarbonate along with large-scale murals framing the walkway. Inspired by geometry and natural forms, the hypnotic patterns will shift throughout the day. As light filters through, viewers will find themselves surrounded by rainbow shadows along Española Way.
“This immersive artwork is inspired by the passage of time and the beauty of natural forms. I’m excited to see these colored shadows projected into the surrounding environment, transforming Española Way into a vibrant canvas. As a Miami native, I am thrilled to return to the place where my artistic journey began and to share this captivating experience with the community.” said Jen Stark.
For Sundial Spectrum, Stark chose an arrangement of colors that directly reflect and speak to the natural world: the alluring tones utilized by flowers to attract pollinators, the prisms of light found in crystals, and the luminescent qualities of phosphorescent sea creatures. Employing color theory in her practice, Stark harnesses the stimulating effects bright colors have on human emotions and moods — further heightening and enriching the immersive experience of Sundial Spectrum.
A major homecoming moment for the Miami-born and Los Angeles-based artist, Elevate Española marks Jen Stark’s first official collaboration with the City of Miami Beach. Stark has exhibited across the world, bringing her iconic, vividly-colored abstractions to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Thailand, Canada, and beyond. Her work is in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the West Collection, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, NSU Art Museum and MOCA Miami, and she has collaborated with major brands, such as Shiseido and Skechers.
Past installations of Elevate Española have included works by art collaboration FriendsWithYou, Edouard Duval-Carrié, Jillian Mayer, and assume vivid astro focus.
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About Jen Stark
Stark was born in Miami, Florida in 1983, and studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art, graduating in 2005.
Jen Stark’s art is driven by her interest in conceptualizing visual systems to simulate plant growth, evolution, infinity, fractals, mimetic topographies, and sacred geometries. Using available materials—paper, wood, metal, paint—Stark strives to make work that balances on a razor’s edge of optical seduction and perceptual engagement. In recent years, Stark has introduced new technologies into her diverse practice, delving into the digital realm of interactive projections and distinctive NFTs.
About the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places Program
Art in Public Places is a city board responsible for the commission and purchase of artwork by contemporary artists in all media. The program allocates funds totaling 2% of hard costs for city projects and joint private/public projects. Funds from construction projects may be aggregated into the Art in Public Places Fund and allocated for artwork at public sites and for collection maintenance. The fund is administered by a City Commission-appointed citizen’s board of seven members, the Art in Public Places Committee.
About the Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council
The Cultural Arts Council (CAC) is an 11-member council created in 1997 for the purpose of developing, coordinating and promoting the performing and visual arts in the City of Miami Beach. The CAC serves as arts advocates before governmental bodies, coordinates collective marketing initiatives for the local arts community and funds not-for-profit arts organizations. Since the program’s inception, the CAC has awarded approximately $18 million in cultural arts grants, supporting thousands of performances, exhibits and other cultural activities in Miami Beach.
Press Contact
cityofmiamibeach@culturalcounsel.com
To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
