Since Art Basel Miami Beach landed on our shores seven years ago, Miami has experienced an explosion of contemporary art.

Most of the 70 plus galleries in the Wynwood Art District plan their best shows around this time in order to satisfy the over 40,000 visitors and tourists the city attracts for the event. This event has grown in popularity and importance so rapidly that it has, amazingly, eclipsed the original Art Basel in Switzerland.

However, no need to wait until the four-day event in December to frolic among other art enthusiasts and collectors; our young artist colony offers ongoing shows and monthly art walks to help sustain our art lovers. Coral Gables, the Design District, Wynwood, and Little Havana open up their galleries and offer visitors hors d'oeuvres and a glass of wine without the strict guest list.

Terence Riley, the director of the Miami Art Museum, told the New York Times, “The Miami art scene is somewhere between young adulthood and late adolescence. It’s no longer a kid, but it’s still happy-go-lucky and trying to figure out what it wants to do with its future.”

A mere drive around the Design District or Wynwood will offer you a nice preview of all the artistic talent housed in our up-and-coming artistic city. You’ll find walls covered in stunning graffiti murals and colorful storefronts. Once the sun has set, don’t miss out on after-parties with the thriving young, hip, and artsy at places like White Room, Electric Pickle, and the Vagabond.

Before this art boom, one of the few personal art collections was the Rubell Family Collection, which can now be seen at their warehouse gallery at 95 Northwest 29th Street. If you’re interested in emerging artists, check out Twenty Twenty at 2020 Northwest Miami Avenue. After a long day of inspirational perusing, maybe you’ll even want to sign up for a class at the South Florida Arts Center on Lincoln Road.