Amani Lewis is a Miami-based artist participating in Artists Open, a county-wide event organized by arts nonprofit Fountainhead Arts.
Courtesy of Fountainhead Arts
There’s an artist in your neighborhood with their studio doors wide open.
Artists Open, a free event where artists across Miami-Dade County open their studios to the public, returns for its fifth year Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The day is organized by Fountainhead Arts, a Miami-based arts nonprofit.
Over 300 artists, both in individual studios and large studio complexes, participate in the daylong event. Kathryn Mikesell, the Fountainhead co-founder and executive director, said Artists Open is a great opportunity for art lovers and community members to meet local creatives and learn more about Miami’s diverse arts scene.
“We truly believe that intimate access to artists and art moves us to understand ourselves, each other and the world around us, leading us to connect, repair and imagine,” Mikesell said. “Artists Open creates the perfect opportunity to directly support artists and begin living with art as most artists will have works available to purchase.”
Guests are encouraged to use the directory on Fountainhead’s website to search for artists and studio complexes in specific neighborhoods.
Don’t know where to start? Here are five Miami artists and studio groups to check out.
Collective 62 in Liberty City
This is an inviting collective of artist studios housed inside three renovated buildings and courtyard. The space, directed by artist and sculptor Nina Surel, is run by a group of over a dozen female artists whose work includes sculpture, collage, puppets, painting and photography. Collective 62 offers a quiet, intimate space to meet artists.
827-901 NW 62 St., Miami; www.thecollective62.com
Amani Lewis in Wynwood
Amani Lewis is a visual artist originally from Baltimore whose work is heavily inspired by the city’s Black community. Lewis participated in Fountainhead’s residency program in 2020 and moved their studio to Miami shortly after. Lewis is a rising star and has been exhibited in shows across the country, including Art Basel.
“They don’t normally open their studio to the public so this is a special treat,” said Francesca Levy Nabors, the Fountainhead program manager.
350 NW 29th St., Miami; amanilewis.com
Laundromat Art Space in Little Haiti
Don’t let the name fool you. You can’t do a load of laundry here, but you can meet a dozen artists at this studio complex. Located in a former Little Haiti laundromat, this independent, artist-run studio and exhibition space focuses on developing local artists and artistic programming for the community. Artists currently working at Laundromat include Roscoè B. Thické III, Lisu Vega and Jose Luis Garcia.
185 NE 59th St., Miami; www.laundromatartspace.com
Tunnel Studios in Little Havana
Last November, a group of artist friends opened this new studio and exhibition space located in the basement of a 1980s-style shopping plaza. Tunnel is dedicated to providing affordable studio spaces and project room to emerging artists. The collective hosts rotating art shows monthly. It’s latest exhibition, “Yiayia. Nana. Abuela. Grandmother.,” opens Saturday.
300 SW 12th Ave., Miami; www.tunnelprojects.com
CollaboARTive in Bird Road Arts District
This is an artist-run nonprofit that provides affordable studio spaces and resources to local creatives. The handful of artists stationed here work in paint, textiles and wire sculptures.
4726 SW 75 Ave., Miami; www.collaboartive.org
Artists Open 2023
When: May 13, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Participating studios span all of Miami-Dade County. Find addresses at Fountainhead’s online directory, https://artistsopen.miami/directory/artists
Info: Free and open to the public. RSVP here.
This story was produced with financial support from The Pérez Family Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
