Top-Tier Art in the Tropics

People travel the globe and land in Miami for top-tier art, parties, drinks, dinners and the requisite celebrity sightings.

Palm-lined boulevards and an electric social scene fuel Miami Art Week. Was that celebrity collector Venus Williams? The other Williams - Pharrell? Is that rocker Bon Jovi? They’ve all been and bought fine art from one or more of the over 4000 artists from top galleries - ranging from London and Paris to New York - at ABMB and its satellite art fairs.

The Palm Court at the Miami Design District

Francisco Alvarez, Toronto-based art expert and president of Axis Art Projects, is a long time Miami Art Week visitor, where he’s purchased pieces for himself and his clients. As a seasoned art festival attendee, Alvarez says there’s, well, an art to getting the most out of your experience. Whether you’re at ABMB or adjacent fairs such as Scope, Untitled or Aqua (a great introduction to more accessibly priced art that takes place in an Art Deco hotel space), here are his top tips for hitting Miami’s art circuit with panache, purpose and style.

Do Some Research

Alvarez advises you to plan and prep for any art festival circuit by taking photographs of the space you’d like to fill, the measurements of said space and any lighting restrictions. Having some idea of what you like, in terms of art and its corresponding budget, is also helpful. “Art Basel Miami is full of mostly Modern and Contemporary art which includes some of the world’s most famous artists working in those genres,” he says. You’ll find everything from Picassos to Anish Kapoor pieces, to more experimental and even Pop art pieces at every budget level.

Miami Beach Art Basel on the Sand

“Wish List” It

Think like a designer of sorts, suggests Alvarez, and consider the art you already have in your home or office. “Think about what type of new work will complement the existing collection and if you want to focus on just one medium (i.e. photography) or theme,” he says. Another overlooked option: consider a sculpture as your focus point on a piece of furniture, or in lieu of furniture.

Alvarez admits that he falls into the “I just want to buy something delightful and unexpected,” eclectic group of collectors, and that’s okay too. Your space, your rules.

The Money Matters

For some, art is an investment: more than just a beautiful object. The price of any piece is determined by a host of factors, including: are you buying directly from an artist or through a gallery (the latter usually negotiates 50% of the sale price as their commission), is the work from a new or established artist, and is the work an original or a limited-edition photography or lithography piece?

“It’s unlikely you’ll find a large living room painting for $500,” states Alvarez, adding, “Art is expensive, and artists need to cover the cost of materials, time, studio and living expenses and so on. If you’re in the art-buying game, think of yourself as a generous patron.”

For those looking for a deal, consider this; unsold works drop in price on the final day of larger art fairs. Keep in mind, says Alvarez, that if you wait, you may lose out to another buyer. This is literally a game of chance.

Wall Art Mural at Wynwood in Miami

Galleries often ask artists to attend the fair for at least one day. Alvarez recommends speaking with the artist to get a backstory of the work you’re interested in, so you have an origin story to share with family and friends and to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of your chosen piece.

Classic, New and Evolving in Wynwood

Art lovers often make an annual pilgrimage to see the impressive Margulies Collection at the Warehouse in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District. Crowds descend on the Warehouse to view new acquisitions and classics featuring some of the most important artists of the 20th and 21st centuries including Joan Miró, Isamu Noguchi, Willem de Kooning, Jasper Johns and Roy Lichtenstein. The 50,000 square foot, retrofitted warehouse offers seasonal exhibitions from the collection of local collector Martin Z. Margulies.

The 50,000 square foot Wynwood Garage

Meander through what Margulies describes as a collection based on his external and internal life experiences. With over 5000 pieces, the ever-evolving collection is curated by long-time collaborator Katherine Hinds and is considered one of the most important of its kind.

And finally, if you fair, do it with flair by pausing for breaks (an art lover has got to eat!) and dress to impress, recommends Alvarez. People-watching is one of the visual delights of any art fair. Bring your curiosity and enjoy the kaleidoscope of colour, form and fun!