PRESIDENT KURT & FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE TOUR ART BASEL
To kick off December, President Kurt Steinberg invited friends of the college on a whirlwind trip to Art Basel Miami led by travel partner Adventures in Art. The Montserrat group was pleased to have AIA founder Karen Stone Talwar as well as Art Advisor Elizabeth Fiore guiding them through what is often celebrated as the most important art even in the Americas. For three days the group explored Miami’s vibrant art scene, experiencing work from renowned contemporary artists, leading galleries, stunning private collections, and world-class art museums.
The group’s first day was dedicated to the Pérez Art Museum Miami for a private tour of the Pérez family’s collection of South American and Cuban art. Guests toured the 200,000-square-foot facility overlooking Biscayne Bay in Museum Park.
On day two, the group was invited on their first experience of the main fair, with VIP access to Art Basel Miami. They spent the afternoon exploring the fair, taking in work from the world’s most impressive artists, both rising and established. In addition, the group toured many Miami area galleries, including the de la Cruz Collection. There they were greeted by Rosa de la Cruz who, along with her husband Carlos, curated the 30,000-square-foot museum to share with the public their passion for art and education.
Highlights of day three included a tour of El Espacio 23, a contemporary art space founded by collector and philanthropist Jorge M. Pérez. Located in a repurposed warehouse in Miami’s Allapattah neighborhood, it is currently host to “Witness: Afro Perspectives from the Jorge M. Pérez Collection”, an exhibition guest-curated by Zimbabwean curator Tandazani Dhlakama. The group was then invited back to the main fair venue for a privately led tour through Art Basel Miami, receiving exclusive insights into the work on display.
The final day of the journey included a viewing of the incredible large-scale works at The Margulies Collection at The Warehouse, a non-profit institution located in a 50,000-square-foot retro-fitted warehouse in the Wynwood Arts District of Miami. The Warehouse presents seasonal exhibitions from the renowned collection of Martin Z. Margulies as well as educational programs, special exhibitions and an international loan program.
After The Warehouse, the group made their final stop at the Rubell Museum, where they viewed inspiring works by artists including Kehinde Wiley and resident artist Amoako Boafo, as well as works from the private collection. The Rubell Museum serves as an advocate for a diverse mix of contemporary artists and a resource for both the public and art world to engage in a dialogue. Since the Rubells moved to Miami 29 years ago, many museums and public collections have opened and the city has developed a vital arts ecology.