THIS SEASON TAKE A WALK WITH US IN SOMI

START YOUR WALK AT THE WIRTZ GALLERY

The Wirtz Gallery located in the First National Bank of South Miami (5750 Sunset Drive) is a good starting point.  At the gallery, a different artist is featured each month, with the artist reception held the same night as artwalk.  (A little known fact is that The Wirtz Gallery is the first recognized gallery to be located within a bank in the USA.)

At the gallery our Artwalk Ambassadors will provide you with an artwalk map showing locations in town which are participating in artwalk. And from there you can head out east or west on your walk.

 

ART NIGHT BEGINS ITS SEVENTH SEASON

Unlike other areas which boast of many art galleries, South Miami has a unique take on presenting an artnight as area businesses open their doors to artists as well as on our tree-lined sidewalks.

Held on the second Friday (6-9p) of the month, from October through March, Art Night visitors walking through our town center get to appreciate the visual and performing arts while also appreciating the uniqueness of our charming retail business establishments.  Art Night Ambassadors distribute Art Night maps to visitors walking our sidewalks.  Participating venues cover the length of our town center, from Sunset to Red Road, and east to the Dr. Thomas house, home of the Tropical Audubon Society.  As South Miami is a more family-oriented community, area students in the visual and performing arts participate in the sidewalk showcase.

SOMI Sidewalk Showcase.  Along the sidewalks in town both established and emerging artists exhibit their work.

Boutiques Open ‘til 9p.  Several boutiques plan to stay open until 9p to cater to those walking around town.  For a listing of establishments, please visit .

After Party.  Each night of artwalk a different area restaurants hosts an “After Artwalk Party” (9-10p), with special offerings to artwalk attendees.  Your artwalk map will be your pass.  And each night of artwalk, FOX’s hosts a late night party (10p-1a).

Ambassadors.  Members of the South Miami Senior High School Jr ROTC serve as our Artwalk Ambassadors.  In addition, other volunteers in the community serve as well. If you would like to volunteer and serve as a SOMIartwalk© Ambassador, please contact the artwalk coordinator,
John Edward Smith at [email protected].

SOMIartwalk© Is co-presented by Chamber South, the City of South Miami and SOMI Magazine.  The event is sponsored in part by Chamber South, First National Bank of South Miami, FootWorks, Massage Envy/Spa, Plaza 57, Sergio’s Printing, SoMi SoU Boutique, TCMC, Inc., The Dog from Ipanema, The Shops at Sunset Place, and our local Host Venue Sponsors.  Media sponsors are: 89.7 Classical South Florida, WDNA 88.9 FM Radio, Community Newspapers|South Miami News, and SOMI Magazine.

Dates for the 2014-2015 Season:

October 10, 2014

November 14, 2014

December 12, 2014

January 9, 2015

February 13, 2015

March 13, 2015

Gallery nights and art walks are bringing new energy into Miami-Dade neighborhoods, drawing visitors interested not only in buying artwork but checking out restaurants, shops and bars.… How do you create a gallery walk in a district that only has about three galleries, one of them inside a bank? You do what a group of South Miami merchants did. Owners of boutiques, antique shops and restaurants invite artists to display their works in the businesses along Sunset Drive. Roman Compte, owner of the SoMi So U Boutique, founded the SoMi Artwalk in 2008. “I once had a gallery in the Gables and thought, ‘What a great idea it would be to do something similar here,’ “ he said. Unlike the Wynwood and Design District events, SoMi Artwalk is seasonal. It takes place the second Fridays from October to March…. Event “ambassadors” …  welcoming visitors and giving out maps showing participating businesses. Musicians entertain walk-goers. “Artwalk is an enhancement to the Friday night experience downtown,” said John Edward Smith, publisher of SoMi Mag, adding that visitors can download a coupon for a parking discount at artnightsouthmiami.com. Isabel Merritt, owner of Isabel’s Fine Accessories, called the event a boon to local businesses. “It’s a great way to get new customers,” she said.
– LAURA MORALES, The Miami Herald, October 7, 2010