ARTWALK – THIS SEASON TAKE A WALK WITH US IN SOMI

ART NIGHT BEGINS ITS SIXTH 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.

SOMI Sidewalk Showcase.  As South Miami is a more family-oriented community, many locations on sidewalks will showcase art and musical performances by area students.

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

After Party. This season, six different area restaurants will each host one night for an “After Artwalk Party” (9-10p), with special offerings to artwalk attendees.  Those restaurants are: Barcelonetta, Irish Times, MexZican Gourmet, ROK:BRGR, SIP and Town Kitchen + Bar.  Your artwalk map will be your pass.  And each night of artwalk, FOX’s will host a late night party (10p-1a).

Ambassadors.  If you would like to volunteer and serve as a SOMIartwalk© Ambassador, please visit our website (artnightsouthmiami.com).

SOMIartwalk© is co-presented by Chamber South, the City of South Miami and SOMI Magazine.  The event is sponsored in part by Chamber South, FootWorks, Le Royal Bakery, JES Communications, Massage Envy, My Cotorra, Plaza 57, Sergio’s Printing, SoMi SoU Boutique, Splitsville Luxury Lanes, The Dog from Ipanema, The Shops at Sunset Place, Town Kitchen + Bar and 3ElevenMedia.  Media sponsors are: 89.7 Classical South Florida, Community Newspapers|South Miami News, and SOMI Magazine.

Dates for the 2013-2014 Season:

October 11, 2013  |  November 8, 2013  |  December 13, 2013  |  January 10, 2014  |  February 14, 2014 | March 14, 2014

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