SEE THE COLORFUL SIDE OF SOUTH FLORIDA SEE THE COLORFUL SIDE OF SOUTH FLORIDA

By Tina Walsh

SStreet art abounds in South Florida. From Miami-Dade County through Broward County, and Palm Beach County, artists, county governments and municipalities are embracing Street Art. With its roots in defiant graffiti, today’s Street Art goes beyond spray paint and incorporates mosaics, stencil art, and LED art into artistic designs. Building walls become the canvas. Often these building are vacant. By embracing Street Art, communities become safer, brighter, inspiring and much more colourful.

Miami

The Wynwood Arts District is in north Miami. It is the grandfather of Street Art in South Florida. This 50 square block, formerly abandoned, industrial area is a giant outdoor gallery with more than 200 murals. At the centre of this eclectic display of contemporary art is the Wynwood Walls Outdoor Museum, located at 2516 NW 2nd Ave. Here you will gain insight into the artistic discipline of Street Art, learn the history of the Wynwood Art District, and see pieces of the early artwork.

To get the full Wynwood Art experience, simply wander up and down the streets surrounding the Wynwood Walls Museum, where funky traditional art galleries and shops will beckon you in, as you pass by hundreds of Street Art Murals. Wynwood ArtWalks and Golf Cart Tours are available daily. You may want to visit the indoor Museum of Graffiti, especially if it is raining.

The centre square of the district is home to food trucks serving up an array of international flavours and providing live music. Some of the local favourite brick and mortar eateries include, The Salty Donut, Panther Coffee, and Wynwood Kitchen and Bar. For more information on visiting the Wynwood Arts District visit wynwoodmiami.com.

Hollywood

To the north of Miami is Hollywood Florida, with its wide sandy beaches and lengthy promenade. In a step to attract more art related businesses, activities and events, Hollywood has embraced the Downtown Mural Project. Within the 30 square blocks of their inland, downtown area, Hollywood has encouraged outdoor, contemporary murals. These 31 vibrant works of art adorn the sides of building throughout the downtown district. This is the largest walkable mural project in Broward County. You can download a map of the mural locations at hollywoodCRA.org. On the 3rd Saturday of each month visitors are treated to a free ArtWalk, Artisan Market and live music from 6pm to 11pm.

Fort Lauderdale

North Fort Lauderdale is home to three eclectic neighbourhoods that welcome street art. FATVillage, MASS District and Wilton Manor. The FAT (Flagler, Art, Technology) District is located in a historic warehouse section between North Andrew Street and the railroad tracks, NW 6th St and NW 5th St. There is a network of restaurants, cafes, shops, studios, galleries and apartments in this area. The mission statement for the FATVillage is to “create and exhibit challenging work outside the realm of commercial galleries.” They embrace non-traditional media, made evident by the work that can be seen painted on the buildings in this area. There are multiple, stunning examples of Street Art. The FATVillage is currently undergoing a redevelopment, so their monthly ArtWalk has been moved.

The MASS (Music Arts, South of Sunrise) District is the current home of the last Saturday FATVillage ArtWalk and Artisan Market. The MASS District is just north of the FATVillage between Flagler, Sunrise and NE 9th Ave. Buildings throughout this area are decorated with the vibrant colours of Street Art. Besides the last Saturday ArtWalk, which aims to bring “interactive and memory making artistic experience through a collaboration of art, music, food vendors and local businesses.” There are also art classes and a monthly Sunday Green Market complete with more than 90 vendors, food trucks and art displays. While you are in the area drop into Glitch for an adult beverage and some free 1970s arcade games, or a bite to eat at Poke LoLo.

Just east of the MASS District is the historic neighbourhood of Wilton Manor and the urban oasis referred to as The YARD, located at 2430 NE 13th Ave. This area is shaded with lush Rainbow Eucalyptus trees. Surrounded by cafes, shops and restaurants, there is an intriguing display of Street Art in the centre of this garden-like complex. It is a lovely place to enjoy the visual riot of colour in Street Art while sipping a coffee or icy libation.

Pompano Beach

Just north of Fort Lauderdale is the seaside town of Pompano Beach. Start your tour of Street Art in Old Town Pompano at the Bailey Contemporary Arts Building, 135 NE 1st Street. This area is seeing a resurgence with construction of apartments, shops and restaurants. The Bailey Building and several other buildings in the area are decorated with colourful murals, including pieces by local street artist Carlos Gonzales. His vivid colours depict Pompano Beach through the decades.

Head east to the Pompano Pier Park for a look at some aquatic themed Street Art. The front and southeast stairwell of the newly renovated Pompano Pier Park Garage are vividly decorated with scenes from the sea. These brightly coloured designs beautifully reflect the largest tourist attraction in Pompano Beach, the Atlantic Ocean.

Delray Beach

Named the “Most Fun Small Town in America” by Rand McNally, Delray Beach has a thriving arts scene. Galleries and Street Art are scattered all throughout the town. Start your explorations in the Pineapple Grove Arts District, just north of Main Street. The Delay Arts Warehouse and Arts Garages are located at 313 NE 3rd St. The surrounding area is adorned with Street Art. This is a great place to park and head out to view the more than 40 outdoor murals throughout Delray Beach. Download a map of the Art Trail at delrayarttrail.com.

Lake Worth Beach

Downtown Lake Worth Beach is truly an Outdoor Museum of Street Art, thanks to the CANVAS Festival in 2017. To view pieces created by this event, start at 1121 Lucerne Ave. at the vividly decorated Hatch 1121 building. Meander east along Lucerne and Lake Avenues to enjoy a wide array of Street Art. You can pop into one of the many locally owned cafes and restaurants for a refreshment. Lake Worth Beach is also home to an annual Sidewalk Art Festival each winter. You will find not only are the walls works of art, but there are works of art on the sidewalks as well.

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is another city in Palm Beach County that has created an outdoor art gallery on the walls of their downtown buildings. Start your exploration in the Warehouse District in the 1500 and 1600 blocks of Elizabeth and Clare Avenues. On Clare Ave., there are a series of repurposed warehouses that are decorated with richly coloured Street Art. Then walk over to the Grandview

Public Market where the Street Art takes on a tropical flavour. There are shops, cafes, restaurants, breweries and tasting rooms in and around the Grandview Market. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a cocktail on their patio, surrounded by the tropical vibe of their Street Art.

Just a few blocks to the north and east in downtown West Palm Beach is the Clematis Entertainment area. Wander up and down the streets on either side of Clematis and you will be treated to Street Art created by local and world-renowned artists. You can download a map of all the public art displays in downtown West Palm Beach at palmbeachculture.com/explore. West Palm Beach has placards by most of the outdoor art installations giving visitors information on the piece and the artist.

As you travel more outside of downtown West Palm Beach to the south, the Boynton Beach Arts District has a grouping of Artist Garages/Studios that are decorated with funky Street Art. If you are visiting in May, plan to attend their annual ArtWalk and artisan market. Heading north from downtown West Palm Beach is the historic Northwood neighbourhood, with its decorated buildings and railroad containers. This neighbourhood is full of locally owned shops, restaurants and cafes. From November to May, they host a lively Art Night Out with live music and artistic style cuisine on the last Friday of each month.

Wherever you are headed in South Florida, there is vibrant Street Art waiting to greet you. If you are planning on taking photographs try to arrive early, as many of these places can get very crowded especially on the weekend. UA