By Elizabeth Fernandez

	William Klein, Smoke + Veil, Paris (Vogue), 1958, Gelatin silver print (Courtesy Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York)

Every year, Miami Beach hosts one of the most important and exciting contemporary art shows in the world. Art Basel Miami Beach, which this year will be held December 7-10 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, features representatives and artwork from 200 galleries around the world. Over 1,500 artists from North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean participate in the event.

Collectors from across the globe come to South Beach every December to experience the event, with exhibits all over the South Beach, Wynwood Art, and Design districts. It officially takes place from December 7–10, but the festivities last much longer as visitors and artists enjoy some of the best parties of the season. The official sister event to the original Art Basel in Switzerland, described by Newsweek as “contemporary art's most influential trade fair,” the Miami version is more frenzied and over-the-top, explained Austin.

	Michael Vasquez, People Forget That There’s Two Sides To Every Story 1, 2006, Oil and aerosol on canvas, 72x48 inches (Courtesy Fredric Snitzer Gallery, Miami)

This year, art literally will be over the top of people’s heads as FriendsWithYou curates the Skywalker Parade. For the first time ever, patrons will be able to enjoy a full-scale parade as larger-than-life inflatable art floats through the sky above the sands of South Beach. The parade starts at Lincoln Road at 2 p.m. on December 7.

Events such as these bring together collectors, artists, patrons and visitors, helping to create a feeling of community within Art Basel. Its influence has spread much further then South Beach, affecting the entire region. 

“Art Basel has positively impacted our district as well as the entire county, and what better time to celebrate the visual arts than when the eyes of the art world are upon us,” said Stefano Campanini, president of Miami Art, Design & Entertainment Merchants Association.

“Galleries that are not part of Basel have already figured out how to create mini-fairs of their own—I think there are art least 10 auxiliary fairs this year,” Austin said.

In the Design District, for example, Art Loves Design is closing two city blocks on N.E. 2^nd Ave. between 39th and 40th Streets from 7:00 p.m. to  midnight. for an open-air artwalk.

“It's a wonderful event for Miami Beach to have, as I believe it has elevated the status of the city,” Austin said.

	Perusing the Master’s Mystery Art Show at the Ritz Carlton

Miami publicist Courtney Recht believes that Art Basel Miami Beach gets better every year. “Art Basel has definitely evolved from three years ago; I think when it first opened it focused on being all about the art.  Then, the second year they added the party aspect which Miami is known for, giving it some of this city's flavor, and this year I think it will be the perfect mixture of both.” 

Recht has been working with Masters' Mystery Art Show at the Ritz-Carlton since its inception three years ago. The event, co-created by Florida International University and The Lowenstein Family, features 1,500 original postcards created by more than 300 world-renowned and up-and-coming artists, and even celebrities, from 31 countries. The names of the artists are hidden on the back of the 6x9 inch works and can only be revealed after they are purchased, creating an interesting mystery for collectors as they attempt to guess which artist created which pieces.

	Zaha Hadid, Zhivopisnaya Tower, Moscow, Russian Federation, 2005, Acrylic and bronze particles on chrome polyester, 200x90 cm (Courtesy Kenny Schachter ROVE, London)

“Miami is becoming more and more of a player in the international arts scene,” Recht explained. “Visitors are actually coming to Miami specifically to indulge in the arts and entertainment the city has to offer. With all the new high-end hotels and restaurants opening, Miami is able to attract the caliber of visitor that can support these businesses.”

However, none of this would be possible without the continued support and patronage of Miami residents. Many of the exhibits give residents a chance to become involved and help create.

“My advice would be to just get involved in some way---only with the participation of the Miami community is Art Basel able to really be successful,” Recht said. “I would say even if you're not part of the art community to get involved---volunteer at the exhibition, call one of the local arts organizations like Legal Art or the ArtCenter on Lincoln Road and ask them if they need volunteers, or just get out and go to the events. There's nothing better than checking out Art Positions on the beach on a Saturday when the weather here is at its best.”