Located in the lobby of the FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTH MIAMI, each month The Wirtz Gallery exhibits local and international artists. Gallery hours are: Monday – Thursday, 9a-4p; Friday, 9a-6p. Artist receptions are generally held on the second Friday of the month from 6-8p, and are open to the public. The bank is located at 5750 Sunset Drive, South Miami.
Exhibiting his photographic work in the gallery in December is South Miami resident Subrata Basu. A licensed and experienced architect and urban planner, he has loved painting since he was in his teens. He believes himself fortunate to have to have had art teachers in both high school and college that mentored his interest in art, particularly in his favorite media, watercolor and photography. The artist counts photography among his aesthetic pursuits. Photography was one of his biggest hobbies while attending college. “I like to capture the juxtaposition of man-made objects to nature,” he said.
THE WIRTZ GALLERY
The gallery in the lobby of the First National Bank of South Miami is named in honor of the Wirtz family patriarch Arthur M. Wirtz.
Wirtz, of Chicago, made his fortune in real estate and liquor distribution; he created the business in 1922. The Wirtz Corp. also owns the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team and co-owned the United Center arena—where the Blackhawks and the Chicago Bulls basketball team play.
When the gallery opened, it was reportedly the first bank in the United States to have a registered gallery within the institution.
MAKING ART HAPPEN ELSEWHERE IN TOWN
In addition to The Wirtz Gallery usual artist receptions, two venues typically host artists that evening: Isabel Fine Home Accessories at 7334 Red Road hosts local artists in her store and hangs the work for the month. At the Doc Thomas House, home of the Tropical Audubon Society, student artists often exhibit. Check with these venues for more details on eshibiting artists.
And Myra Porter periodically hosts artists in her salon for an exceptional evening of paintings by various artists, some of whom are in the UM Masters program. Contact the salon Myra & Company for more information.
