Wynwood Street Art in Miami, an open-air museum

Published on April 5, 2024 at 8:00 am

Make way for the emblematic Wynwood, which over the years has become one of Miami's must-visit districts. Once little more than a playground for street artists, the area has evolved over the past decade into a world-class art destination where contemporary art prevails. In just a decade, it has become a world-class art destination where contemporary art prevails. Creativity knows no bounds and freedom of expression is unabashedly expressed on the walls. Wynwood reached its zenith in 2009, when more than 50 artists representing 16 countries came together to cover just over 8,000 square metres of walls. This was the famous Wynwood Walls. The frescoes also spread to all the surrounding buildings, and art was on display in the many and varied art galleries. The district quickly gained notoriety and became very trendy. In Wynwood, you can wander around, even if it means getting lost in this maze of artworks, between restaurants, bars and galleries.

Wynwood is a former industrial zone that today is highly coveted for its arty feel.

Summary

Wynwood, the metamorphosis of a district
The must-see art galleries
Practical info

Wynwood, the metamorphosis of a district

A quick look back. More than 15 years ago, Wynwood was non-existent on the map of Miami. The area consisted mainly of dilapidated sheds and warehouses. No tourists ventured in. In the early 2000s, a property developer and patron of the arts sniffed out the district's potential. He was Tony Goldman, famous for developing SoHo in New York in the 70s and Miami Beach in the 80s. He bought a number of buildings and attracted street artists to turn the walls into colourful canvases. Thus, the temple of street art was born in Miami. Art became increasingly ubiquitous, both indoors and out.

Wynwood features in Vogue magazine's Fifteen Coolest Streetstyle Neighborhoods, one of the top 15 coolest streetstyle neighborhoods in the world.

In 2009, Wynwood Walls was inaugurated, an explosion of art and colour that leaves no one indifferent. The area is now world-renowned for its frescoes. It is even included in the programme of the famous annual Art Basel festival.

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Wynwood is a vast district where you can quickly go round in circles. To make sure you don't miss anything, it's best to opt for a guided tour. For a unique experience, some organisers offer tours with a French-speaking guide lasting over an hour on the history and origins of this artistic movement. The second part of the tour allows you to learn the basics of this art form from a local artist. In short, street art will no longer hold any secrets.

The must-see art galleries

There's always something to do in Wynwood, thanks to the abundance of art galleries housing exceptional works such as the Margulies Collection at Warehouse. Spanning 4,200 square metres, this contemporary art gallery features over 4,000 pieces, including sculptures by Isamu Noguchi, George Segal and Olafur Eliasson.

More unusual is the Bakehouse Art Complex, a former industrial bakery converted into an art gallery. This artists' incubator offers a different exhibition every month, as well as lectures and other cultural events throughout the year.

Wynwood is a unique, cool and arty place, not to be missed.

The Wynwood Art Walk takes place every second Saturday of the month. This day-long event features a world-class collection of art accompanied by murals, a gourmet food truck and live music.

Wynwood Walls is a mix of life-size outdoor murals permanently decorated by artists.

Practical info

👉 When should you go?

To get the most out of the district, it's best to visit on a Sunday morning. The best time to visit the district is in December. During this period, a number of events are organised, and it is also possible to witness the creation of new works in the presence of artists.

Wynwood is now a must-watch in terms of art galleries, artists' studios and showrooms. Its walls covered in street art make Wynwood one of the largest open-air art galleries in the world.

by Lena COLLINS

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