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.

I of the Spiral is a mural created in 2022 by artist Viktor El-Saieh. El-Saieh was born in 1988 in…read morePort au Prince, Haiti. He holds a BA in international affairs from the University of Miami and studied painting at the André Pierre studio in Port-au-Prince. His three solo exhibitions were held at Central Fine Gallery, Miami Beach, Ghetto Biennale, Port-au-Prince and the David Castillo Gallery, Miami. His work is part of the collections of the Institute of Contemporary Art and Pérez Art Museums in Miami. He lives and works in Denver. I of the Spiral was commissioned by Miami Worldcenter as part of its 5 million dollar Worldcenter public art program outdoor museum. Miami Worldcenter is a 27 acre, 4 billion dollar mixed use center with retail, luxury condos, hotels, public art and restaurants. It one of the largest private real-estate developments in the United States. The outdoor art museum is overseen by art dealer Jeffrey Deitch and Primary, a Miami-based curatorial collective that focuses on public art. This public art program was unveiled during Miami Art Week and the 20th anniversary of Art Basel Miami Beach. All of the art work chosen by Deitch depicts people so the viewer can relate and connect to the artwork. I of the Spiral features women draped in white dancing around a drum circle in the mangroves. Mermaids wave and manatees swim as stars and leaves swirl through the air and an alligator grins. About this art work, El-Saieh said "I of the Spiral can be understood conceptually through the lens of magic and compositionally through the shape of a spiral. The landscapes and figures represented in this design reflect a tendency toward belief in the supernatural, or the metaphysical, as well as the sometimes chaotic interdependency of forms that exist in this world. A world which is imaginary, but inspired by real life nonetheless. This work also reflects an attempt to map that which appears to be chaotic. But it should only be seen as one point, of many, in the expanse of the spiral. In this sense, the setting and symbols can also be viewed as a portrait of a place - a magical place - at a very specific, yet undefined, moment in time." Miami can always use a little more magic. I love the theme and how the colorful mural brightens up the building facade and the street.

It's always exciting when you find something free in Miami. This is a cute and whimsical dog and…read morecat sculpture garden in Maurice A. Ferre Park with a beautiful backdrop of Biscayne Bay. It is a fun walk through the garden to enjoy and read about all the sculptures. This is a nice visit before or after the nearby Perez and Frost Museums.

Dogs and Cats Walkway & Sculpture Gardens is an outdoor art exhibit located in Downtown, Miami…read more This part of Miami has views overlooking Biscayne Bay & is near Perez Art Museum. Opened in Feb. 2023, this art installation in Maurice A. Ferre Park showcases various cats & dog sculptures created by local artists. Dogs and Cats Walkway & Sculpture Gardens is a one-acre area that consists of 52 "Aluminum - Based" vibrant, colorful, & whimsical Cat & Dog Sculptures. The garden has gorgeous greenery, flowers, plants, etc. Artists Marta Echazarreta, Edgar Gutierrez, Rafael Carabano, & many others have their sculptures displayed & the designs, details on various sculptures celebrate / honor animals, animal-lovers & well as aspects of Miami. Dogs and Cats Walkway & Sculpture Gardens is free & is open 7 days a week - 7am - 10pm. bayfrontparkmiami.com There is a YouTube Channel - view the artists videos to learn more about their background stories & inspiration behind their cat & dog sculptures / masterpieces.

If you live in Miami or are visiting and want to catch authentic local culture, you have to check…read moreout the Museum of Art and Design (MOAD) inside the historic Freedom Tower in Downtown. Built back in 1925 (inspired by Spanish tower architecture), it famously served as the processing center for Cuban refugees in the 1960s. Don't Forget to Look UP! Pro-tip for first-timers: be super observant of the roof, ceilings, and architectural details all around you. The ceiling vaulting, wrought-iron accents, and ornate stonework are unreal. Before you even look at the art on the walls, take a minute to look up and admire the historic craftsmanship. What I love most about MOAD is how much they invest in Miami's creative community. They host incredible local events, pop-up showcases, and talks specifically designed to platform emerging local artists. It never feels like a stuffy, corporate museum, it feels alive, modern, and genuinely connected to the city's current art scene. Go for Free - Keep an eye on their event schedule! They frequently host free admission days, community events, and free access times (especially during community art programming or for students/local cards). Parking: Downtown parking can be a headache, so take the Metromover directly to the Freedom Tower station if you can--it drops you right there!

Had the opportunity to finally visit the Freedom Tower and was amazed by the architecture and…read morecurrent exhibitions. I came for one of the recent MoAD panels discussing Purvis Young and his work. Looking forward to coming back and spending more time with the exhibitions to really appreciate the work, history, and intention of the space.

R&R is a mural created in 2022 by artist Nina Chanel Abney, an African American contemporary artist…read moreand painter. Abney was born in Illinois and currently works out of New York. She received an MFA in 2007 from the Chicago Art Institute and the Parsons School of Design. Abney is best known for colorful graphic large-scale paintings. Race, gender, pop culture, homophobia, and politics are common themes in her work. In September 2018, Abney curated a group exhibition highlighting current socio-political issues at the Jeffery Deitch gallery entitled Punch. The exhibition called upon current socio-political issues and featured art by Abney herself and some of her close friends. R&R was commissioned by Miami Worldcenter as part of its 5 million dollar Worldcenter public art program outdoor museum. Miami Worldcenter is a 27 acre, 4 billion dollar mixed use center with retail, luxury condos, hotels, public art and restaurants. It one of the largest private real-estate developments in the United States. The outdoor art museum is overseen by art dealer Jeffrey Deitch and Primary, a Miami-based curatorial collective that focuses on public art. This public art program was unveiled during Miami Art Week and the 20th anniversary of Art Basel Miami Beach. All of the art work chosen by Deitch depicts people so the viewer can relate and connect to the artwork. R&R uses graphic figures, bold color planes, and musical notes inspired by Overtown, a historic Black neighborhood in Miami. Overtown was incorporated as a colored neighborhood in 1896 during segregation. It was the place where Henry Flagler's black railroad workers lived while building the infrastructure of Miami. Overtown is the second oldest neighborhood in Miami. During the 1920's, it was home to D.A. Dorsey, one of the first black millionaires in the south. After WWII it became the epicenter of black culture and was known as the Broadway of the South. Many famous entertainers stayed here when performing in Miami like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Nat King Cole. In the 1950's, the area suffered an economic decline and in the 1960's many residents were displaced by the construction of I-95. R&R is meant to remind people that gentrification has erased the rich cultural heritage of many primarily black neighborhoods. About her mural Abney has said "The impact of gentrification is greatly felt in its tendency to displace and erase the lives and legacies of Black and poor people. Few Black communities have been able to survive the political decisions and economic trends that exploit the cultural desirability of these often (but not always) already disenfranchised neighborhoods. In some cases only remnants of these communities remain, and this is after archival excavation. I created a pictorial language to depict a speculative narrative that investigates community 'renewals' and subsequent removals. The mural location, a tunnel formed by the dark passageway under the building, inspired me to consider the recognition of sacred spaces with story. I hope to spark a dialogue around gentrification and encourage a curiosity amongst viewers to engage with and learn about the previous and adjacent neighborhoods." This is a thought provoking piece and a great addition to the outdoor art museum at Miami Worldcenter.

I finally made it to PAMM after living in South Florida for years, and it was a good experience…read moreoverall. We went on the second Saturday of the month when admission is free. When we arrived around 4 PM, the parking garage was full and we were told we would have 10 minutes to find parking. We got really lucky and were able to secure a spot. Parking was $18, which is pretty normal for downtown Miami, and it was convenient being able to park on-site. I would not consider myself a big "art" person, but I really enjoyed some of the exhibits, as well as the fun Chromosaturation room. Afterwards, we were able to check out the Resilient Lady ship as she was leaving port of miami, which was nice and relaxing. Overall, I enjoyed the visit and would definitely recommend checking it out, especially on one of the free admission days.

an excellent collection of art. the surrounding area of the…read moremuseum is also very scenic and beautiful, definitely worth exploring and great places to take pix! have fun c.

This is a planetarium, museum, aquarium all in one!…read more Place is very close to the Miami port. We had several hours to kill in Miami but had four large carryon bags. They luckily hold onto the bags while we explore the museum and this worked perfectly for us. In addition to the 4-5 floors and two buildings worth of area to explore, there are amazing view of Miami from most of the floors. Kids thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Florida gators and other reptiles. The aquarium has shark and a huge turtle in addition to several other varieties of sea life. Kids spent several hours in the flight museum and the interactive universe simulator model as well. We also caught one of the shows in the planetarium, make sure to reserve a spot during a time slot of your choice well before hand. Perfect stop if you have a few hours in Miami.

My husband and I visited this museum as part of our day trip to Miami. I wish parking wasn't so…read moreexpensive ($18 flat rate). It took us about 2.5 hours to explore the entire place including the planetarium show. The show that worked out best with timing was called "How to Die in Space: An Interactive Adventure Through the Cosmos." The girl leading it was wonderful but as you may figure by its name, the show was not a peaceful experience. There were a number of explosions that I think scared some of the kids in attendance. The other exhibits included one about flight, the human body/mind, an aquarium, dinosaurs, and general Florida wildlife. I can't say I learned a terrible amount of new information but it was fine. I appreciate the museum's mission and it probably would be cool for toddlers-little kids.

As a fan of public art I could not help but notice this spacey lady in Miami Worldcenter in front…read moreof the Museum of Ice Cream. This colorful character looks straight out of a comic book. Trenton Doyle Hancock (1974) is an American artist who primarily works in print, drawing, sculpture, and felt collages. The art pieces tell the story of The Mounds, gentle, plant like mythical creatures who exist in his world. The Mounds fight the Vegans which represent race, religion, and the eternal battle between good and evil. The Mounds represent the good guys who embody acceptance, love and progressive thoughts while the Vegans are the bad guys who force their beliefs on others. Hancock's artwork is inspired by Greek mythology, comics, graphic novels, cartoons, music, and film. He was won many awards and his work has been exhibited around the world. Hancock created Undom Endgle in 2022 to be a female superhero in the Moundverse. She was once a Mound and has evolved into a warrior Goddess. "Undom is the reincarnated soul of Mound #1 the Legend, and evolved into a warrior goddess whose job is to protect the Mounds. She presides over the Everydaycare Center, where the Souls of departed mounds play eternal games." This was my first time seeing Trenton Doyle Hancock's art work. It is eye catching and it was interesting learning about the mythology around it. Even if you don't know it's origins it seemed to be a popular place to snap a picture in Paramount World Center.

The Plaza of the Spanish Navy/Plaza de la Marina Española was built in 1991 in what is now called…read moreMaurice A. Ferré Park. When the park opened it was named Bicentennial Park and it was created at the site of the old Port of Miami out of fill land. The park was dedicated on the 200th anniversary of the American Revolution. In 2019 the park was renamed in honor of former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferré. Parking is $5 an hour in the park with the pay by phone app. The Spanish Navy Plaza contains a large wrought iron 17th century anchor from the Spanish Armada. The anchor serves as a monument that honors the Spanish Navy, which arrived in the Americas October 12th, 1492. The elevated position of the plaza on top of a small hill makes it the perfect spot to take in the beautiful park view of Biscayne Bay.

One of the things I most like about Miami is how you can find unexpected beautiful pieces of art…read morethroughout the city. The looking Into My Dreams sculpture is one of those nice finds. I have been to this place during different light settings (day/night) and I don't get tired of taking pictures of it.

It is so fun to discover public art, especially large scale works like this one, I was excited to…read morediscover Awilda during an exploration of Maurice A Ferré Park. Immediately recognizable by her long white face, this 39 foot tall public art piece was created in 2012 by Barcelona artist Jaume Plensa. The marble and resin face with fiberglass interior is based on a 9 year old Dominican girl Plensa knew in Spain. The girls eyes are shut as if she is dreaming. According to Plensa the eyes are closed "because we keep beauty inside ourselves, and one day we all need to look inside." The girls portrait was captured with a laser scanner and then subtly elongated for the art piece. Awilda has been displayed in Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro and In Millennium Park in Chicago. Plensa also created the Crown Fountain with its changing faces in Chicago. In March of 2017 the sculpture was moved to its current location in front of the Perez Art Museum in Miami where she sits at the top of a set of stairs facing towards Biscayne Bay. She couldn't have been placed in a better spot as she graces the waterfront in front of the Perez.