Black and Basel: The 2024 Guide to Black Art During Art Week Miami

Above: Calida Rawles, Impact, 2024 Acrylic on canvas 60 x 72 inches
152.4 x 182.9 cm
Photo by Marten Elder. Courtesy of the artist and Lehmann Maupin.

It may not feel like a celebration, but Art Week Miami 2024 is here. And if it’s Art Week, then you know it is time for your guide to Black art during this fair in Miami. 

Across the nation, pocketbooks are strained, inflation is up, and spending has slowed down. And while spending is down, that doesn’t mean that smart spending has been eliminated. Making sure that your money works for you is still a necessity, and art can be a part of that. Many people will be able to make their final art purchases before 2024 ends. Art is available at every price point during this week, as is the opportunity to view the work of artists you may not be familiar with, whom you possibly can purchase from or contract to show at an institution in 2026. We’ve compiled all of the events that we can find to be sure that you will have the opportunity to add to your collection or manifest what you plan to display in your penthouse in the future. 

First, you will notice that Jamaica is literally on everyone’s mind. Jamaican artists are on exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami (Dr. Andrea Chung) , the Ten North group (Jamaica on my Mind, curated by Phillip Thomas) , as well as Pérez Art Museum Miami (Hurvin Anderson). We are also happy to see work exhibited by artists who made Miami their home for many years, such as Kabuya Pamela Bowens-Saffo, at the Miami Museum of Art and Design. There are a number of very interesting brunches with Billie Zangewa happening at the Frost Art Museum at FIU. Also, Sugarcane is producing Molasses at Green Space Miami with WOPHA December 3 at 11 AM in conversation with Nigerian- Canadian photographer Kosisochukwu Nnebe. 

When it comes to local exhibitions, I’ve noticed that the list feels slightly smaller to me this year. So, the focus for this guide is LOCAL ONLY. I know that you can find Art Basel Miami Beach (please support galleries like Rele and Nicola Vassel), including exciting curation at the UBS Lounge by Larry Ossei-Mensah and Untitled. Supporting smaller events help organizations that where hit hard by lack of funding. As many of you know, the state of Florida did not fund any arts organization for 2024-2025, creating funding difficulties for almost every art institution, both large and small, in the state. Our belts have been tightened, and for some institutions, 2025-2026 is uncertain. 

While the number of locally produced exhibitions focused on Black art looks different, it doesn’t mean that they’re not still here. And of course, as always, we welcome so many producers and organizations that come to South Florida to add to the conversation to facilitate change, such as Standing in the Gap Fund, honoring AJ Owens, the young mother who lost her life in a racially motivated murder. Highlander Center joins Amber H Phillips and Emma Cager for an experience in historic Overtown. 

And we can’t forget homegrown fairs around the city to balance behemoths like Art Basel Miami Beach and many others. As always, there’s a lot going on here to spend time with both beauty and social commentary. Before we get started with the guide, I want to make a few suggestions moving forward. Miami is the proper name of a city, but it’s also the catchall name for all of Miami-Dade County. There are several cities throughout Miami County that go from North Miami Beach to Homestead. Most of the events that you attend will primarily be on the eastern side of Miami-Dade County, such as Miami Beach and the city of Miami, in neighborhoods like Brickell or the design district and downtown. 

While we know that safety is of the utmost importance, I would encourage you to look beyond the beach. There are opportunities to see work literally from South Miami to Fort Lauderdale. 

For those of you who are visiting for the first time and are looking to do your own event in the future, I will suggest that you not only observe what’s already happening but pay special attention to local art producers in Liberty City, Overtown, Opa-locka, etc. and the events that they put on. That way, in the future, you will consider partnering with locals who have done this work for many years and are often underfunded or not seen, so as to amplify local Black institutions and build solidarity and community.

Opening Dec. 1: 

Calida Rawles: Away with the Tides
Through Feb. 23, 2025 | Pérez Art Museum Miami

Calida Rawles debuts her first solo museum exhibition, merging hyperrealism and abstraction to explore themes of healing, racial trauma and resilience. Rooted in Miami’s history, her water-inspired works reimagine the lives of Overtown residents, offering emotional and historical depth through vivid portraiture.  

Exhibit Hours:  

• Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.  
• Friday–Monday: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  

SANCTUARY: Our Sacred Place

Through Jan. 26, 2025 | HistoryMiami Museum

Photographer Woosler Delisfort captures Miami’s spiritual landscapes, from mosques to temples, revealing their role as sites of refuge, empowerment and community. With over 100 evocative images, this exhibit celebrates the resilience and diversity of spiritual life in Miami.  

Exhibit Hours:  

• Wednesday–Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  
• Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Andrea Chung: Between Too Late and Too Early

Through April 6, 2025 | MOCA North Miami

Andrea Chung, a San Diego-based artist, reconstructs historical narratives through collages, video and installations, crafting an Afrofuturist vision influenced by Drexciya’s myth of a Black Atlantis. Her evocative work reframes colonial histories while celebrating themes of liberation and imagination.  

Mirror of the Mind: Figuration in the Jorge M. Pérez Collection  

Through Jan. 18, 2025 | El Espacio 23, Miami

This cross-media exhibition explores the human condition through figuration and portraiture. Featuring works from over 120 global artists, including Shirin Neshat, Jared McGriff and Carrie Mae Weems, Mirror of the Mind examines the intricate relationship between the body’s physical and emotional landscapes.  

Alexandre Arrechea: Bare Tool

Through Jan. 18, 2025 | Locust Projects, Little Haiti/Little River

Cuban artist Alexandre Arrechea’s Bare Tool reflects on the profound impact of small, individual actions on broader societal shifts. Suspended sculptures, movable floor elements and video projections immerse viewers in this thought-provoking exploration.  

Special Events:  

• Dec. 7, 2024, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Little Haiti/Little River Art Days  
• Opening Reception: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.  

AfriKin Art Fair: Threads of Life in Fragments of Time

Dec. 1 – 8, 2024 | Scott Galvin Community Center, North Miami

A convergence of art and activism, this year’s AfriKin Art Fair features installations, performance art and discussions spotlighting themes of resilience and time. Expect youth-curated booths, live screenings and climate-focused exhibitions in an event bridging creativity with consciousness.  

Black Beauty as an Act of Resistance

Dec. 1 – 8, 2024 | African Heritage Cultural Arts Center

This immersive exhibit recreates a 1930s hair salon to celebrate Black hair culture as an enduring symbol of identity, resilience and creativity.  

Hours:  

• Monday–Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.  
• Saturday: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.  

A Legacy of Elegance

Dec. 1 – 8, 2024 | African Heritage Cultural Arts Center

Fiber artist Margarette Joyner blends African textiles with 19th-century portraiture to reimagine high fashion. Her collection of 12 gowns highlights the intersections of history, culture and identity in a celebration of resilience and grace.  

Hours:  

• Monday–Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.  
• Saturday: 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.  

WOPHA: Women Photographers International Archive Artist Showcase

Dec. 1 – 15, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Green Space Miami 

In collaboration with El Espacio 23 and Green Space Miami, WOPHA presents its 2024 artist-in-residence showcase. Featuring Keisha Scarville and Kosisochukwu Nnebe, this exhibition uses photography to probe the intersection of identity, landscape and memory, offering deeply personal and universal narratives.

Miami MoCAAD: Art Connecting Communities

Dec. 1, 2024 | 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Lyric Theater, Overtown 

Step into Miami’s layered history with this interactive showcase, featuring virtual reality exhibits, live music and film screenings. Highlights include conversations with local historians and mural unveilings, celebrating the city’s rich cultural roots.  

Exhibit Hours:  

• VIP Opening: Dec. 1, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  
• General Admission: Dec. 2 – 8, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.  

Standing in the Gap

Dec 1-8 | Choublack

The Standing in the Gap Fund (SITG) is proud to announce the official launch of its mission at Miami Art Week with a transformative art installation honoring the life and legacy of Ajike “AJ” Owens, a beloved Florida mother whose tragic passing has fueled calls for justice, resilience, and community healing. Through this immersive installation, the SITG Fund provides attendees a unique opportunity to “Stand in the Gap” for Black women, families, and communities that have been profoundly affected by racial violence.

This powerful exhibit, in partnership with The Givers Revival and Miami-based artist Loni Johnson, will open on December 1 and continue through December 8. Curators bring this installation to life by activating local artists, philanthropists, and community organizations to disrupt the status quo, centering healing and allowing joy to disturb the peace. Visitors and Miami community members are invited to attend additional programming, including a community activation day on Saturday, December 7. Program highlights include live podcast tapings featuring artists and local activists, healing art and play workshops, and a breakfast for mothers who have lost children to gun violence. Additionally, the public is invited to join the Closing Ceremony on December 8.

Opening Dec. 2:

MOAD: Kabuya Pamela Bowens-Saffo: From the Heights

Dec. 2, 2024 | Museum of Art and Design (MOAD), Miami Dade College

In collaboration with the Women Artists Archive Miami (WAAM), MOAD unveils From the Heights, celebrating Kabuya Pamela Bowens-Saffo’s artistic legacy. The exhibition honors her transformative role in the Miami Black Arts Workshop and her commitment to nurturing local talent, positioning her as a cornerstone of Miami’s creative history.  

Invisible Luggage: Unpacking Hidden Stories

Dec. 2 – 15, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Historic Hampton House 

Curated by a collective of visionary women artists, Invisible Luggage delves into identity, migration and gender. Hosted in a historic landmark of the Civil Rights Movement, the exhibition bridges contemporary art and history, unraveling the unseen burdens we carry.  

Opening Dec. 3:

YoungArts: Ralph Lemon – Chorus & Otha Turner’s Final Picnic
Dec. 3, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | YoungArts Gallery 

Presented in partnership with MoMA PS1, Ralph Lemon unveils Chorus (#2 Oculus) and Otha Turner’s Final Picnic, two rarely seen video works. These evocative pieces capture the cathartic joy of collective movement, drawing connections to the themes of celebration and mourning.  

Simultaneous Open Artist Studios at YoungArts highlight the multidisciplinary creativity of Lemon’s collaborators and local talent.  

The Art of Human Connection: Vernissage-Visage + Portrait Stories

Dec. 3, 2024 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Doral Cultural Arts Center

Five boundary-pushing artists redefine portraiture with works that bridge culture and emotion. Highlights include Oscar Ukonu’s meticulous pen drawings and Stefan Smith’s murals exploring Black narratives through augmented reality.  

The evening features DJ sets, live performances and a vibrant exploration of the universal human face as a canvas of connection. 

Chance the Rapper: Writings on the Wall – A Star Line Listening Experience

Dec. 3 – 6, 2024 | Wynwood Studios | Multiple Sessions

Chance the Rapper’s highly anticipated Star Line Listening Experience offers fans a glimpse into his upcoming project through an interactive blend of unreleased music, large-scale installations and exclusive visuals.  

Session Times: 

• Dec. 3, 4, 6: 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m.  
• Dec. 5: 1:00 p.m.  

SOFLO Liberty City Youth Arts Fair: Amplifying Young Voices

Dec. 3 – 8, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Liberty City

Young talent takes center stage at this immersive festival, featuring collaborative art installations, mentorship opportunities and a record-breaking mural dedicated to Miami’s next generation.  

Prizm Art Fair: Diaspora Dialogues

Dec. 3 – 8, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Ice Palace West Studio  

Prizm Art Fair returns with its signature global lens, uniting artists from the African diaspora in a bold, cross-disciplinary celebration of shared histories. Featuring vibrant exhibits, immersive performances, films and thought-provoking panels, this year’s fair challenges conventions and fosters meaningful connections, celebrating shared histories and aspirations while inspiring critical dialogue.

Sugarcane Magazine X WOPHA: Molasses | Kosisochukwu Nnebe in Conversation

Dec. 4, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. | Green Space Miami 

In partnership with WOPHA, Sugarcane Magazine hosts an intimate discussion between Nigerian-Canadian photographer Kosisochukwu Nnebe and editor-in-chief Melissa Hunter Davis. This conversation delves into the cultural narratives shaping Nnebe’s evocative work.  

Opening Dec. 4:

The Art of Transformation: Black Aliveness and Aesthetics

Dec. 4 – 8, 2024 | Multiple Venues

Inspired by Kevin Quashie’s work, this year’s Art of Transformation weaves Black traditions with contemporary narratives through sculptures, performances and multimedia exhibits. Sugarcane Magazine’s Melissa Hunter curatorial project, And Is: Selections from the BlackFlorida Project, adds a poignant exploration of heritage and resilience to the mix.  

Art Beat Miami: 11 Years of Culture

Dec. 4 – 8, 2024 | Multiple Locations

Art Beat Miami vibrates with the energy of 30+ artists blending music, food and fashion. Highlights include Chefs of the Caribbean Celebrity Brunch, live mural unveilings and a diverse range of creative expressions that encapsulate the essence of Miami Art Week.  

Opening Dec. 5:

Grief Not Guilty: Reclaiming My Time

Dec. 5, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 | Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum, Overtown

Gary Tyler, wrongfully imprisoned for over 40 years, transforms his journey into art with stunning quilt and fabric creations. Grief Not Guilty speaks to resilience and the healing power of creativity.  

Opening Reception: Dec. 5, 2024  

• 1:00 p.m.: VIP Event  
• 2:30 p.m.: Artist Panel  

For details and tickets, email Events@HistoricalBlackPrecinct.org or call 305-329-2513.  

Point Comfort Art Fair + Show: Ubuntu: I Am Because We Are

Dec. 5 – 8, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Historic Ward Rooming House, Overtown

Hosted by Hampton Art Lovers, this year’s show celebrates the African American legacy through vibrant artworks that explore unity, identity and shared humanity.  

Opening Dec. 6:

Annual Basel B.A.E.: Black Art Experience

Dec. 6, 2024 | 8:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. | The Urban, Miami

The Black Art Experience (B.A.E.) returns for its eighth edition, pulsating with art, music and culture. This high-energy event highlights works by Black painters, photographers, sculptors and fashion designers, cementing its place as a cornerstone of Miami’s Art Week festivities.  

Tickets and artist showcase inquiries: 305-397-7637.  

Sankofa: Looking Back, Moving Forward

Dec. 6 – 8, 2024 | Little River Art Tent, Center for Haitian Studies

Showcasing ten African American artists, this dynamic exhibition celebrates cultural heritage and resilience through a tapestry of works that honor shared histories and creativity.