A trip to Miami Beach always promises to be a memorable experience with its beaches, warm weather and exuberant nightlife galore. Add Art Basel to the mix, and that’s a guaranteed marvelous time. The TILA team and 2018 Garden Fellows cannot wait to touch down and experience the noteworthy art scene. Plus, we’ll even be hosting some events of our own! The highlight will undoubtedly be the EmpowerHer Brunch at the Perez Art Museum Miami. The first of its kind convocation and communion for Black Women artists at the most dazzling venue imaginable. We will share knowledge, reflect on experiences, and honor the highest parts of ourselves and those around us in this sacred space. We will move the needle in fine arts and in time we will make the statistic for Black Women artwork within its institutions #AboveFour percent.
We are over the moon in anticipation for the powerful women already confirmed to be at Brunch including Naima Keith, Deputy Director and Chief Curator at the California African American Museum; Aja Monet, Poet and Lyricist; and Bae Worldwide, Women’s Organization. And after the Brunch, the community is invited to meet our fellows and talk further with us throughout the week at the TILA House, where we will be hosting Dinner in the Garden, Portrait Day Party and Guided Meditation! So we’re really looking forward to hitting the road real soon and there’s going to be even more in store for us once we get there!
With ten days out, here are ten things we’re looking forward to doing in Miami during Art Basel.
Prizm Art Fair 2018
Prizm has been showcasing the work of artists from Africa and global African Diaspora since 2013. According to Sugarcane Magazine, the 6th edition will be organized into three exhibitions curated by Jeffreen M. Hayes, Ph.D., Art Historian and Curator; Mikhaile Solomon, Founding Director of Prizm and Arts Advocate; and William Cordova, Artist. What is immediately eye catching and relevant to us is Hayes’ The Diaspora’s Currency: Black Women, as a call-and-response: collaboration to build and define the value of Black women’s voices, experiences and knowledge as currency. The other two will touch on themes of past, present and future, the victorious outsider, appropriation and inclusivity. All three will certainly give us something to think about.
Tue. December 3rd - Sun December 9th Open Daily: 10am - 6pm
Tour of Wynwood
The Wynwood Arts District has become a cultural cornerstone for Miami. The Instagrammable zone of art galleries, retail stores, antique shops and much more is fueled by one of the largest open-air street art installations in the world. During Basel, there will be no shortage of gatherings and happenings to attend including presentation of the murals and artists by the Wynwood Walls program, which is behind their selection. Artists from worldwide are responsible for the installations of graffiti and street art people see. Rene’s Wynwood Restaurant & Bar will be the venue for two different events. If you’re into hip-hop, recording Artist Quentin Miller will be performing along with several other South Florida up and coming musicians at his headlining music affair and for a more eclectic lineup, BLU Lounge at Art Basel will take place there too. Not to mention, if you want to buy jewelry and clothing from local brands, Wynwood Shop will take place in this area, as well.
Wynwood Walls Programming Mon. December 3rd - Sun. December 9th 10am - 12am
Quentin Miller @ Art Basel Fri. December 7th 8pm - 2am
BLU Lounge at Art Basel Thu. December 6th 5pm - 10pm
Wynwood Shop Thu. December 6th 3pm - Sun. December 9th 9pm
AfriCOBRA: Messages to the People Reception
Hayes is the curator behind another exhibit on view by The Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami: “AfricCOBRA: Messages to the People.” The visual journey is an up close and thorough examination of AfriCOBRA, the Chicago arts collective that defined the visual aesthetic of the Black Arts Movement of the 60s and 70s. It will trace the founders’ individual careers and the artists who exhibited with them between 1968-1973 as well as how AfriCOBRA’s philosophy manifested into their works as a group. With a chance to get one on one time with the exhibiting artists, some of whom are original founders, this opportunity sounds dope as hell.
Thu. December 6th 8pm - 10pm
Conversations at the Art Basel Convention on Our Radar
While there’s certainly a bevy of discussions worth attending, we’re prioritizing these two as can’t miss topics. At TILA we champion community and culture. Both of these discussions center on the impact on communities and the analysis of positive developments. Plus, Feminism includes ‘We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965–85’, originated by the California African American Museum, LA!
First up, Feminism - A Global View, which features Billie Zangewa, Artist, Johannesburg; Cecilia Fajardo-Hill, Independent Curator, Los Angeles; and Moderator Maura Reilly, Curator and Arts Writer, New York.
Sat. Dec 8th 1pm - 2pm
Second, Arts Districts and the Community featuring Tiffany Chestler, Director of Cultural Programming, Dacra, Miami; Ricardo Porrero, Founder, Codigo Magazine and Gallery Weekend Mexico, Mexico City; Claudia Altman-Siegel, Founder, Altman Siegel, San Francisco; and Moderator Lloyd Wise, Senior Editor, Artforum, New York.
Sun. Dec 9th 1pm - 2pm
D’Vine by 9701
This restaurant and lounge seems like an enticing place for the culture. It serves Afro-Caribbean Cuisine and everything looks delicious (including the beautiful black people that frequent it). The cocktails are really what we would be after and the mixes at D’Vine look splashy! We certainly hope we get a chance to take in the ambiance and good vibes here.
Open Monday through Saturday 7am - 10pm, Sun. 11am - 8pm
Basement at the Miami Beach Edition
Boasting a bowling alley, ice skating rink and disco floor, this night club sounds like one of those you-have-to-see-to-believe and you need to experience before you die type of places. In addition to the art, Basel is known for the after parties, so we’re adding this to the list of places to check out. They have a countdown to Art Basel on their site and tons of photos of celebrities (including bae Drake), so you know it’s about to be poppin’ here!
Open Daily from 5pm to 2am, closes at 5am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Sweet Liberty
From photos this bar looks vibrant and beautiful (we definitely love the pursue happiness signage). And even though we’re sure it’s hard to stick out in a place like Miami, Sweet Liberty has been named one of the 50 best bars in the world. (The world!!!) The drinks are apparently top tier (the mixologists don’t play and want you to be beyond satisfied with your drink.) If we need a place to let loose after a long day of networking, this sounds like the place to be.
Open Daily from 4pm to 5am, opens at 12pm on Sundays
Spectrum Miami
The thrill of Miami Art Week is due in large part to the international presence of artists and galleries. Spectrum offers an urban and upscale adventure returning to the Mana Wynwood Convention Center. Partake in the Art Labs, Art Talks, Meet the Artist sessions, music, entertainment, and other special events.
Wed. December 5th - Sun. December 9th Check site for varying hours
Red Dot Miami
For art that really boggles and fascinates the brain, this satellite art show is for the modern and contemporary lovers. The sister show to Spectrum, it’s stationed at the same Mana Wynwood location. Red Dot will also have Art Labs, Art Talks, and Spotlight Galleries. And the price tags -$1,000 to $100,000 dollars- are high!
December 5th - December 9th
2018 Basel Black Creatives Showcase
This first ever event promising to bring together black creatives during Basel sounds like an uber chill but worthwhile excursion for the millennial minded. Prepare to chop it up with the next wave of up and coming black creatives at the House of Roots Miami Kava.
December 6th 6pm - 10pm