The best art galleries in Miami to get immersed in the city’s creative scene

The Rubell Family Collection is best known as one of the biggest private contemporary art collections in the country. And yes, it’s the same Rubell as the Studio 54 days. After wowing art gazers at its Wynwood digs for 23 years, the Rubell Family Collection opened its doors in Miami’s Allapattah District in 2019. Prepare to see art that will spark multiple reactions.

If you think Miami’s art scene is a new-ish thing, consider the Fred Snitzer Gallery, which has actually been around since the ’70s. And its owner sits on the Art Basel Miami Beach selection committee, so you know he has the chops to curate worth a look-see. If it’s contemporary art you are into, expect to see pieces from artists like Hernan Bas, Noah Cribb and Alice Aycock.

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Once known as Gallery Diet, this contemporary art space has been around since 2007 and displays the works of both emerging and established artists from around the globe. You’ll find provocative exhibits and out-of-the-box exhibits here, including works from artists like Emmett Moore, Nicolas Lobo and Bhakti Baxter.

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If bold colors and patterns and a more minimalistic midcentury aesthetic turn you on, head to Durban Segnini Gallery. Founded in 1970 by Don César Segnini and helmed by director Sulay Segnini, this gallery tucked away in Coral Gables specializes in Latin American modern and contemporary art, in particular painting and sculpture by artists who have worked with abstract expressionism, abstraction, constructivism, geometric and kinetic art.

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Born in a Miami warehouse back when Wynwood was in its infant stages, Locust Projects has morphed into a pillar of the art community. Today, it is recognized as a not-for-profit institute where visual artists are invited to reach beyond the limits and create art that evokes the spirit of freedom. The space, which recently moved to Little River, offers educational initiatives and programming that is free to the public and the site-specific installations are worth the trip. The annual Smash and Grab fundraiser is also a must.

From paintings to sculptures to photography and video, Mindy Solomon Gallery in Allapattah is a contemporary space that, as it describes, “explores the intersection of art and design through an ongoing dialog between two- and three-dimensional objects, while embracing diasporic voices.” In layman's terms, there’s a lot to see here, and be prepared to be wowed. As a collector for almost her entire life, Solomon welcomes artists like Alejandro Contreras, Ali Smith and David Hicks to the gallery.

Considering their backgrounds in advertising and design, and their passion for propping up Miami’s creative scene, it’s not surprising that Steve Saiz (a senior art director) and Lillian Banderas (a stylist manager) founded Dalé Zine. Back in 2009, the couple created Dalé with one simple goal: to showcase this city’s independent voices in a fun, approachable environment through the “most low-key format ever,” the zine. Over the years, the concept has broadened. These days, Dalé is an inclusive cultural hub for the community, with offerings ranging from all-ages zine workshops to an online radio show, pop-up events, and most recently an expanded storefront and gallery space in Design District.

Home to some of Miami’s most amazing contemporary and experimental artists, as well as international artists, Spinello Projects is a collection of what put Miami’s art scene on the map to begin with. Kris Knight, Sinisa Kukec, Antonia Wright keep those who visit on their toes with their innovative works in a variety of mediums.

This influential Argentinian gallery made its new home in Miami in 2013. Since then, the husband and wife-led outfit has aimed to become an epicenter for modern and contemporary Latin American Art in the city. Indeed, the sprawling, technicolor MAMAN Fine Art warehouse in Allapattah is also a hub for curator meetings, artist talks, community events and more.

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A gallery that isn’t afraid to break the mold, David Castillo brings together the works of artists of color and queer artists, all hanging together in harmony. Named one of the best booths at Art Basel in 2017 by multiple publications, you’ll find the works of artists like Sanford Biggers, Lyle Ashton Harris, Kalup Linzy and Xaviera Simmons among these walls.

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The soul of Wynwood’s Art District, Bakehouse Art Complex has been around for 30-plus years. It may have started out as an Art Deco-era bakery, but today it contains studio residencies, a gallery and some of the best art in the area. Oh, the things you’ll find at BAC as you wander through 60 artist studios, two galleries, a project room, classrooms, print room, photo lab, woodworking shop and welding room.

Opened by Gabriel Kilongo in 2022, this young, contemporary gallery quickly made a name for itself as an off-the-beaten-path destination in the quietly blossoming Normandy Isle art scene—even earning a write-up in the New York Times. Among the eclectic artist roster are Yirui Jia, Dan Mandelbaum and legendary Afro-Futurist musician and artist George Clinton.

Back in Wynwood’s past (specifically the aughts), a collective group of artists would get together and paint murals. That collective was assembled by a group known as Primary Projects. It was founded by the trio Michael Gran (best known as Typo, Cristina Gonzalez and Books Bischoff). Now located in Little River, the gallery is a true testament to Miami’s art scene and history that also dabbles in displaying works from national and international artists, as well as locals.

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In 2000, this gallery, which was one of Wynwood’s first, pioneered bringing local artists to the Wynwood area. Today, it resides in Little River. The gallery represents a core group of Miami artists in every stage of their career, making it a true piece of Miami’s art history. 

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Founded in 2003, this Miami-based gallery located in Little River highlights contemporary American art. It is one of the longest-running contemporary art spaces in all of Miami. In addition to art from noted artists like Magnus Sodamin, Gian Paolo Minelli, Pepe Lopez and so many more, find lectures, workshops, events and more at the space.

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This sister-run gallery blends local graffiti culture with pop influence to define what you’ll find at Wyn 317. It’s a Miami gallery with local flavor: Bold new artists, well-known artists and artists in the middle of their careers. The art here is displayed at every stage from those in our own backyard, as well as international artists from across the globe.

A hub for Latin American art, Gary Nader Art Centre has been a part of the Miami art scene for more than 30 years. With more than 55,000 square feet of exhibition space, you’ll find the works of modern and contemporary artists like Robert Indiana, Botero, Amanda Valle and Manolo Vandes in the Gary Nader Private Collection, the Exhibition Gallery and the Sculpture Park.

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A gallery for collectors, Oliver Cole covers its walls in young, up-and-coming talents just waiting to be discovered. Find pop art and contemporary works, plus photography, sculpture and various other mediums. Cole scouts highly technical pieces, so your next big statement piece could be waiting in his showroom.

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Opened in 2012, Central Fine is another hidden gem on Miami Beach's sleepier shores in Normandy Isles. Located steps from Jupiter Contemporary, this artist-run gallery presents an impressive roster of emerging and mid-career multidisciplinary artists, including Loriel Beltran, Tomm El-Saieh and Kenyan postwar and contemporary painter Chemu Ng'ok.

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Here's an antidote for people who just want to go up and touch the art. The pieces at this digital art gallery are meant to be manipulated with your fingers or activated by jumping up and down. It’s pretty neat and, before you know it, you’ll have spent an hour waving your arms around like a cheerleader. Immersive art experiences are all the rage these days. Still, Artechouse delivers quality pieces that don't feel like their sole purpose is to generate Instagram posts.

You’ll find this part workspace, part studio, part gallery for artists in Little Havana. You’ll also find a hefty dose of Cuban artists’ work, as well as 12 art studios and more than 37 different artists. Touting itself as a place for all arts to coexist and intermingle, Futurama 1637 is a melting pot for art lovers.