The Wold Erotic Art Museum is on the corner of 12th St. & Washington Ave.. The elevator was broken…read more& the building is not accessible to those with mobility issues. We paid $20 each admission walked past the wall of vulvas to the penis bed. We walked upstairs to see the galleries. The Wilzig was created in 2005 by Naomi Wlzig as the only American museum dedicated to fine erotic art with a renowned collection of over 4,000 international artworks dating from 300 BCE to the present. This collection is distinguished by quality, diversity, and unique focus on erotic themes.. We began by watching an 8 minute videos with Naomi. Founded in 2005 by Naomi Wilzig, the World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM). She teamed up with the Kinsey Institute, The Research Center for the Cultural History of Sexuality at Humboldt University in Berlin & Florida International University (FIU) -- College of Communication, Architecture, and the Arts (CARTA). There were many galleries with comfortable seating spaces and clean restrooms. We spent about an hour here wandering around the maze of 20 small rooms. We passed lots of international photographs, wood carvings, sculptures and paintings. There was a room filled with Miami Vice memorabilia; photos, clothing & tchotchkes. The World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM) presented Mark Kostabi: Revisited, a striking exhibition of 14 new, large-scale, faceless paintings created for the museum. While living & working in Rome, he explored themes of eroticism, technology & the paradoxes of digital intimacy. Highlighted were sexting amid digital distraction, and a surreal portrayal of 3 nude women taking a group selfie; juxtaposing joy, sensuality & technology. Gorge Daniell presented gay themes through photographs & paintings of glamorous celebrities, and scenes of everyday life in pre-and-post-war America. His works were featured in major magazines, including "Time," "Life" and "Esquire," and was also displayed in the Smithsonian, The Museum of Modern Art and the Chicago Institute of Art.

Go!!!! You must go! We had a great time looking at everything…read more So much fun. So many interesting things to look at and ponder.

Cool spot, chill vibes will definitely go again to just marvel at the art and creativity.read more

If you love elephants and art, then this exhibit is a must for you to see and experience. Never did…read moreI think that I would see 100 lifelike elephants on the beach in Miami Beach. You can get up close and personal for free until December 8 while Art Basel 2024 is happening in Miami and Miami Beach. The exhibit is located between 36th and 37th Streets on Collins Ave behind the 36th Street Park and the Faena Hotel. There is plenty of free parking. The Great Elephant Migration is a global fundraising adventure to amplify indigenous knowledge and inspire the human race, to share space. I am so thrilled that we were able to view this exhibit ahead of the official opening on Dec. 2. It lasts until Dec. 8. After Miami Beach, it will be traveling to Montana. It migrated from New York City to Miami Beach by truckload.

Unexpected and funky! Fun visuals in Miami Beach. Stumbled upon this art deco surprise I didn't…read moreknow I needed.

I went on a free walking tour of Miami Beach and what appears to be a giant side boob stuck between…read moretwo buildings was there. Apparently, it's a bridge to connect two buildings and inside you don't even know you're inside it. It looks cool from the outside. I'm glad they added the color illuminating lights in his alley way.

We love art! You got to--to appreciate this space. Great staff Rachel (so informative), Alex in…read morespray paint, and Alex -the one checking tickets- all sooo friendly and great. Rachel is above and beyond awesome. Beautiful art space outdoor and indoor (this was a great break from the heat). The outdoor fans, great idea but they aren't cold so not helping anyone cool off hehe On our second visit we brought the kids and did some spray painting on canvases and a skateboard. Such a great experience. Alex and her partner Andres were so helpful made the experience very enjoyable.

Wynwood Art Walk Tours isn't just walking past murals. It's walking with someone who knows which…read morewalls have stories attached, which artists took risks, which pieces cost the neighborhood something. The murals themselves are massive and they're professional, but scale alone doesn't make art work. Context does. Shepard Fairey's augmented reality layer is the differentiator here. It's not a gimmick. When you scan a mural with your phone, the piece opens up into layers and motion. It's the artist's way of saying "there's more here than what you see." It works because it's restrained, not constantly pulling you into your screen. You're still in the neighborhood. You're just seeing deeper. The guide we had knew the economics of gentrification in Wynwood. Knew which artists have been here for years and which are new money. Knew the politics of murals, why some walls get painted and others get buffed, why some artists collaborate and some don't. That knowledge cost something to build. You're paying for it. We took three teenagers, ages 14-17. Not a group naturally inclined to stand still for street art. They asked questions about technique, about why certain artists choose certain walls, about whether the AR experience changes how you see the piece or adds distraction. They engaged. That's not about impressive art alone, that's about the tour structure creating room for actual thinking instead of passive consumption. The neighborhood is dense and chaotic and intentional all at once. You'll see pieces that are technically flawless next to pieces that are deliberately rough. Some murals are massive, some are character-scale. Some artists are making statements about politics, some about beauty, some about ownership. The variation is what keeps it alive. A sanitized art walk would kill this. Walking it yourself is free and worth doing once. Walking it with the tour is $29 and worth doing if you want to understand why these walls matter to the city and why some artists chose to paint them. The difference is context. Context costs something, but you leave with more than photos. The sun hits different at 4 PM than at 11 AM, so timing matters if photography is part of your thing. The neighborhood gets foot traffic but it's not overwhelming. You're in a real place, not a theme park. That texture is part of why this works.

Coral Gables is known for it's numerous plazas, entrances, and fountains from 1920's. That's why I…read morefind it so interesting to see what current works of art are being added. Anything new needs to harmonize with the beautiful features that George Merrick added in when he created the city. In 2014 the city approved two sculptures to be installed at the traffic circles along Segovia Street. They were designed by New York-based artist and sculptor Alice Aycock. The two installations are the first public art pieces to be added since George Merrick was alive. The sculptures are inspired by the passion flower and are constructed of more than 4,000 pieces of metal. The two sculptures are different. The sculpture on Biltmore is larger and has two flower designs. The Coral Way sculpture is designed to mimic a flower flowing in the breeze. More than 180 submissions were judged before a panel selected Aycock's design. The flowers have received mixed reviews from the community. Many feel that the modern art is not in keeping with the look of the city. A group of residents tried to have the sculptured removed but did not muster enough signatures for the ballot. Some of the complaints are that the sculptures are not Mediterranean and that accidents have increased at the traffic circles since the sculptures were installed. Others complain bitterly that they are not even able to choose a paint color for their house yet the city has moved away from the Mediterranean look of the city without consulting them. The city has decided to keep the sculptures despite the protest of some people who do not care for the look of modern art in their 1920's Mediterranean Revival city.

Interesting new metal art located near the golf course and situated on two roundabouts. There are…read moretwo pieces one on each roundabout - They are passions flowers. Other people here have told the history about them so I will leave it at that. However what I did read about on the net and thought was amusing - was some local residents were not very happy with them, thinking they did not represent Coral Gables mediterranean image, so they started a petition to get them remove. They did get over a thousand signatures but no where near enough to make an impact and get them removed. Looks like they are here to stay. I was not too keen when I first saw them and had a little chuckle to myself as the largest one is situated in front of a plastic surgery office (HE HE)...(apt? - you decide). However after walking around and actually really looking at them, the location, the area, they started to grow on me!...Let me know what you think - when you go for a look!

I love discovering interesting public art and this lady is certain to grab your attention. This new…read moreart instillation has arrived in Miami ahead of Miami Art Week and Art Basel. R-Revolution is a 32,000 pound, 45 foot tall stainless steel statue of a nude woman by artist Marco Cochrane. Marco was born in Venice, Italy and raised in California. He is known for his sculptures of women that symbolize female empowerment. R-Revolution is the third in a series Cochrane calls the Bliss Project. The other two art pieces are Bliss Dance which made its debut at Burning Man 2000 and Truth is Beauty which made its debut at Burning Man 2013. R-Revolution was brought to Miami by the Lincoln Road Improvement District in partnership with the City of Miami. She was previously displayed at Burning Man in 2015. She has also been shown at Treasure Island, Petaluma, Las Vegas and now at the end of Lincoln Road on Miami Beach. She symbolizes feminine strength and liberation. Women line up to pose beneath her and have their picture taken. She is a major statement piece on iconic Lincoln Road. R-Revolution will be on display until April 2024.

This is a larger-than-life sculpture in the heart of downtown Miami Beach's retail district. This…read moreis a temporary sculpture and will be gone soon. This is the work of Cali artist Marco Cochrane and if you have the money, you can buy or lease it. It is the 3rd of a 3-series Bliss Project by Cochrane. The piece was made in 2015 and debuted at Burning Man, a week-long large-scale desert event focused on "community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance", held in Black Rock Desert of Nevada. It is constructed of steel framing and covered by stainless steel mesh skin. It stands a towering 45 feet and weighs 32,000 pounds. It has 16 motors in the chest area to simulate breathing and is illuminated by LED lights at night. I only saw it during the day, but have seen pictures of it lit up and night and it looks astounding. I was I could have seen it in person. Cochrane intended the statue to represent feminine strength and liberation. It definitely demands your attention. Many viewers were talking photos and selfies with the statue while I was there. If you are in the area, I highly recommend checking this piece out before it is gone. There is metered street parking and commercial garages available within a reasonable walking distance for those wishing to view this amazing piece. I really like this piece. I do not know if it is a destination piece though. I would probably make a visit to see this piece part of a larger itinerary. It will only take up about 10 minutes of your time, tops, but is definitely worth checking out and taking a few photos if you find yourself in the area.

Mugshot Gummy Bear is really an art piece named The Vandal Gummy Bear by Brooklyn artist WhIsBe,…read moreshort for What Is Beauty. WhisBe first started making the The Vandal Gummy in 2011 as a nostalgia piece. As the artist explains it "At first, it represented the idea of innocence lost. Some represent my take on health and nutrition to my concerns about incarcerated youth, pharmaceuticals and addiction in this country." Some of the bears are translucent and filled with pills to represent addiction while others have a multicolor ombre effect which is popular during Pride Month. WhIsBe created a $60,000 pink one to represent Miami during Art Basel week in 2019. He also accepts commissions. No matter what color, The Vandal Gummy Bear signature look is a candy bear holding a Department of Corrections sign as if it were posing for a mug shot. It is a juxtaposition between the sentimental sugary treat and the alarming mug shot. You can find the red Vandal Gummy Bear at 296 NE 62nd St in Miami. He is parked between two buildings. Perfect for a quick photo shoot or your social media.

If you are coming to Miami, and your calendar is manageable, make your visit land on Second…read moreSaturday. If you make it on Second Saturday, well, all galleries are open late, and many galleries offer free drinks. Many galleries also have cash bars, if you really want to hang. If you like walking around, this could be a problem. The streets are packed with art lovers. If you like to sit down, this could also be a problem. It's overcrowded, and finding a seat may be a hard commodity to find, but don't lose hope. If you come to Second Saturday, you'll have fun.

How could I have not reviewed this before?…read more I was one of the brave souls exploring Wynwood back at the beginning in '02 / '03 when Second Saturdays had a more underground feel to it and was just three or four gallery spaces. (I remember this area when I went to high school nearby and it was just the hood, but I'll leave it at that...don't want any more gray hairs to pop up!) Anyways, Wynwood / Design District has grown up and diversified now and known by the mainstream. Nowadays you're likely to see a DJ performance in front of a local (non green mermaid) coffee shop with live breakdancing, live street painting, performance art such as planking in one of the public spaces, and bands in the other . You're also likely to run into a bunch of majorly cool people around the different galleries too. Don't forget the bunch of new restaurants, plus the food trucks either! Sure, parking can be an adventure and / or overpriced ($10 for an unimproved lot where my "Eleanor" gets dirty?? ) But what would a hot night in the city be without a little adventure!

I'm in love with Oolite Arts Center, it truly takes me back to my art roots! My infinite love for…read moreit and it's nostalgic. Currently taking a Drawing class. My instructor Wil is amazing! I can literally be there in class ALL day. I have really enjoyed meeting new people with similar interests. All around it's a true joy. Love it here!!!

Located in Lincoln Road Mal, Oolite Arts, a non profit was founded in 1984 as ArtCenter/South…read moreFlorida by potter Ellie Schneiderman, who was looking for affordable work spaces for Miami's visual artists. She want to "help artists help themselves." According to their website "Oolite Arts seeks to be the bedrock of the visual arts in Miami. Formed over time, it is composed of residents, alumnae, curators and visitors, coming together to build a community around contemporary art - a fundamental part of our arts ecosystem." Today Oolite Arts provides artists with the free studio space, the chance to exhibit their work, and support. The building contains artists' studios, small exhibitions spaces, and the group's offices. You can take classes or attend events in the building. Oolite also operates out of a new location at 75 NW 72nd St where they will offer more than 200 art classes and launch a visual art program for teens. Oolite Arts recently sold one its two Lincoln Road buildings and there are plans to build and open a new building in Little River later in 2023. Little River is becoming an alternative location for artists priced out of nearby Wynwood. The new building will have two dozen studios for the group's residency program where artists can get free space for two years, an exhibition space, a theater for films and lectures or presentations, a studio, and offices. Any organization that supports and facilitates the arts is a worthwhile one to support. They help artists who might otherwise not be able to afford studio space to have a place to work and exhibit. It looks like they have some amazing plans in the works to help even more artists in the future. This is a fantastic organization. Stop by for inspiration and culture.

This is a public art piece located at the corner of Washington & 17th. It's directly in front of…read morethe Temple Emanu-El Synagogue. It was a project by the governments of Israel and Italy and the City of Miami Beach to promote love and community togetherness. It clearly was inspired by Robert Indiana's famous LOVE sculptures. And of course, it's a good spot for a selfie :)