One of my favorite areas in Miami, FL is the Wynwood Arts District. It is a hip, edgy neighborhood that is full of wonderful street art, galleries, restaurants, cafes and private art museums. It is not to be missed!!
One of the highlights is The Wynwood Walls. This was conceived by Tony Goldman in 2009, who wanted to do something big to transform the warehouse district of Wynwood. His idea was that “Wynwood’s large stock of warehouse buildings, all with no windows, would be my giant canvases to bring to them the greatest street art ever seen in one place”. Starting with the 25th–26th Street complex of six separate buildings, his goal was to create a center where people could gravitate to and explore, and to develop the area’s pedestrian potential.
The Wynwood Walls became a major art statement with Tony’s commitment to graffiti and street art, a genre that he believes is under appreciated and not respected historically. He wanted to give the movement more attention and more respect: “By presenting it in a way that has not been done before, I was able to expose the public to something they had only seen peripherally”. Murals by renowned street artists have covered the walls of the Wynwood Walls complex since 2009, and to create more canvases and bring more artists to the project, Tony opened the Wynwood Doors in 2010, with 176 feet of roll-up storefront gates. The painted exteriors and interiors of the doors reveal a portrait gallery. Murals have also been commissioned for Outside the Walls through 2011, in key locations outside the park itself.
The Wynwood Walls has brought together the world’s greatest artists working in the graffiti and street art! Make sure to walk the Wynwood Walls and drive the entire area.
The Margulies Collection at the WAREhOUSE: At 591 NW 27th Street, in the Wynwood Arts District, this contemporary art collection is considered the best in Miami. Real estate developer Martin Margulies has spent more than 30 years collecting paintings, sculptures, photography and video installations. The collection includes works by Olafur Eliasson, Donald Judd, George Segal, Sol LeWit, Richard Serra and Willem De Kooning. The museum, with approximately 45,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, is a real gem and not to be missed!
Rubell Family Collection: Formerly at 95 W. 29th St., this is a private museum and contemporary arts foundation now located in a larger 100,000 sq. ft. building. It is now one of the world’s largest, privately owned contemporary art collections. It is now further west of Wynwood n the Allapattah neighborhood of Miami at 1100 NW 23rd St.
In a recent segment on CBS This Morning Saturday, I heard about the opening of the new Museum of Graffiti. It states that is the world’s first museum dedicated to graffiti art. “Our mission: Exhibit, educate, and celebrate the thousands of graffiti artists who have transformed walls in our public spaces into vibrant masterpieces.” I will definitely go on my next trip to the area. 299 NW 25th . St.
Also not to be missed are:
The Wynwood Walls Shop, the official shop of the Wynwood Walls has books, art and accessories. 2516 NW 2nd Ave.
Frangipani, 2516 NW 2nd Ave.: An attractive store featuring art, personal accessories, jewelry and stationery.
Robert Fontaine Gallery, 2349 NW 2nd Ave. “The Robert Fontaine Gallery, provides a platform for emerging, mid-career and established artists ranging in historical scope from the origins of Post War to the most current evolutions of digital media, conceptual installation and urban interventionist.”
Other galleries include Gregg Shienbaum Fine Art at 2239 NW 2nd Ave.
The Wynwood Block at 2621 NW 2nd Ave. a number of shops, boutiques, galleries and restaurants.
Where to Eat:
Wynwood Kitchen and Bar: What’s not to like about Latin cuisine and great murals and art. The design is really striking and there is a large outdoor patio overlooking the Wynwood Walls murals and street art. 2550 NW 2nd Ave.
Joey’s Wynwood, 2506 NW 2nd Ave.: This is an Italian café next to the Wynwood Walls, serving excellent pastas and pizzas. The grilled prawns and calamari in a tomato sauce with arugula made for a perfect lunch. There is both indoor and outdoor seating.
Panther Coffee, 2390 NW 2nd Ave.: Specialty coffee roaster specializing in the small-batch roasting of coffee beans along with coffee beverages.
Also popular is R House featuring, food, art and music at 2727 NW 2nd. Ave. They feature contemporary American cuisine with Asia, Mediterranean and Latin influences. Just saw it featured on Bravo TV. It has a large outdoor patio as well.
Zak the Baker, 405 NW 26th St: This is a popular bakery/cafe for carry out or eating in.
Coyo Taco is known for good tacos at 2320 NW 2nd Ave.
Wynwood Brewing, 565 NW 24th: A local microbrewery with a tap room for tasting.
Eater Miami just recommended the following. If you check them out, let me know how you like them. KYU for sushi and The Salty Donut for artisanal donuts and coffee.
BAKAN is “from the people behind Miami favorites, Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar and Latam Grill; Talavera Cocina Mexicana; and Peacock Garden Bistro, features variety of regional Mexican dishes and a large assortment of mezcal and tequila offerings.”
Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen is recommended for Caribbean cuisine as is Beaker and Gray for its “globally inspired menu” and inventive cocktails.
1 800 Lucky is a food hall with seven Asian concepts from Thai to Japanese. rácket is a trendy new cocktail bar in the neighborhood with a tiki-inspired rum and tequila menu and small bites in an industrial space.
Other spots getting good reviews include DŌMA for Seafood and Italian in an elegant space. MIAM Café (French for yum) is recommended for breakfast, lunch or brunch.
