Located in the lobby of UNITED COMMUNITY Banking Center (formerly 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.
THE WIRTZ GALLERY is named in honor of the Wirtz family patriarch Arthur M. Wirtz of Chicago. Wirtz 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-owns the United Center arena— where the Blackhawks and the Chicago Bulls play. When the gallery opened, it was reportedly the first bank in the United States to have a registered gallery within the institution.
During the month of June, the gallery hosts a collective exhibit by Blanca Caraballo, Sandra Garcia-Pardo and Aleli Egues. The exhibit is entitled “
Animi Motus
” translated to mean “motions of the soul.”
The Wirtz Gallery is currently showcasing the exceptional photography of Nancy Ney in an exhibit entitled Portraits and Panoramas. Her exhibit will run through mid-January and from there it’s on to the Beaux Arts Festival at UM.
Nancy Ney is known for her humanity portraits set in exotic geographical regions, and her natural landscapes that possess a singular sense of beauty. After honing her craft as one of New York City’s most sought after advertising, fashion and lifestyle photographers, her artistic focus shifted in 2013 to traveling the world photographing unique cultural subjects. She became a fine art photographer and to date has sold close to 400 of her photographs in an array of mediums, from paper to metal and canvas.
Her explorations took her far and wide and include such destinations as India, Mexico, Ethiopia, Bhutan, Galapagos, Iceland, Costa Rica, Namibia, India, Kenya, Nepal, Cuba, and most recently the Pyrenees and the Camargue.
Visit her website www.nancyney.com for more information and catalogue.
The Wirtz Gallery has its closing exhibit this coming Spring with the Miami Watercolor Society.
Miami Watercolor Society is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization whose membership consists of a broad spectrum of water media painters. The culturally diverse society informs and educates members and others by providing workshops, exhibitions, demonstrations and publications. Go to MiamiWatercolorSociety.org for additional information.
AREA STAGE headquartered at Sunset Place is an award-winning theatre organization that offers world-class professional productions, a vibrant conservatory program, and opportunities for underserved populations and theatre artists of all abilities.
Founded by John and Maria Rodaz in 1989, the nonprofit organization began as one of the pioneers of the Miami Beach arts community on Lincoln Road. Since its inception, Area Stage has presented a mix of contemporary and classic plays, world premieres, and immersive theatrical experiences, quickly “changing the perception and standards of what South Florida’s theatres can and should be,” according to the Sun-Sentinel, which described the organization as “one of the most influential theatres in the region.”
DECEMBER 12 – 28, 2025
Area Stage’s critically acclaimed immersive production of ANNIE returns this Christmas! Step into a 1930s speakeasy where New Yorkers of all kinds gather to hear the story of the plucky young orphan. This immersive production brings to life the classic story in an all new way that critics call “A smashing new production!” (The Miami Herald), “A Triumph!” (Florida Theater), and “One of the most exciting and innovative new productions to hit South Florida” (South Florida Theatre Magazine).
The SOMI ArtFest is a free juried art show that takes place on the weekend of February 21-22, 2026 on Sunset Drive. The festival features over 100 artists from all over the United States and Canada, showcasing their work in painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, and more.
In addition to amazing artwork, the festival also features local musicians playing throughout the event along with a food court and beer garden. Proceeds from the event benefit the Rotary Club of South Miami and its many community service projects.
AND JOIN OUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS AT “THE U”
1301 Stanford Drive
The Lowe Art Museum’s permanent collection represents five millennia of human creativity on every inhabited continent. With 11 collecting departments, all collection objects are works of fine art or culturally significant archaeological/ethnographic material. In addition, the museum maintains a collection of public sculptures, installed throughout the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus, on behalf of its parent institution.
NATIVE AMERICAN GALLERY
KRESS COLLECTION
ORIGINAL ABSTRACT PAINTINGS
For more information on the LOWE’S permanent collections, upcoming special exhibits, seminars and presentations visit: https://www.lowe.miami.edu