Where Is the Next Wynwood? Miami Gallerists Predict the Next Gritty Art Scene

By J.J. Colagrande Wed., Jan. 23 2013 at 7:39 AM

Briana Saati

Inside Little Haiti's Yo Space.

Little Haiti
Others leaving Wynwood have looked to Little Haiti. It has ample warehouse space, accessibility to all the burgeoning midtown neighborhoods, and the prices (though on the rise) are still manageable. Sure, Little Haiti is still a little sketchy, but no more so than Wynwood. And a handful of galleries have been operating there for awhile, including the community-based Little Haiti Cultural Center, the countercultural Moksha Studios, and the street-themed gallery Yo Space. Little Haiti already has its own cultural walk night: Third Fridays in Little Haiti. And the community has more in the works.

"I've been talking with business owners in the area about getting an art walk started on the last Sunday of the month," explains Yuval Ofir from Yo Space. The new night would take place between NE 54th and 62nd street and NE Second and Fourth avenues. "We're looking at the last Sunday in March, but we might have to push back to April for the first one."

It's a refreshing neighborhood, well-lit and sparse. Construction is finally complete on NE Second Ave., and now, Little Haiti feels accessible. In fact, it almost feels like Wynwood five years ago, raw and teeming.

"Little Haiti is untapped and full of potential, with old architecture and warehouses," explains Ofir. "It's gritty and a little dangerous, but there's a feeling there's a group of people hidden away in its midst just waiting for the right opportunity to band together and shake things up."

One of the biggest critiques of Wynwood has been the failure of business owners to band together. Maybe Little Haiti has the recipe when it comes to merging business owners?

The short-term future of Wynwood is uncertain. How high are property owners willing to raise rent on speculation? Can outsiders moving into Wynwood sustain its artsy energy? One thing is for sure: Wynwood, in the long term, is moving toward monetization and gentrification, and with many business owners leaving, a new, grittier scene is due to emerge. And it shouldn't be a surprise. That's what happened in SoHo in New York and also SOMA in San Francisco. Bring in the artists and the art, build up the neighborhood and make it cool, and then capitalize -- even if it means squeezing some businesses out. Wasn't Coconut Grove once an artist's colony? Wasn't Lincoln Road? Is this not how it works?

Don't be surprised. And don't hate. It's actually all pretty exciting.

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Ryan Hayoun

West of Winwood

LittleHavanaLocal

I just wanted to throw in a third option... Little Havana. There is already a steady "artwalk" every last Friday of the month called "Viernes Culturales" as well as some very impressive galleries. Little Havana is a core tourist spot, but we can use some more local energy in the Cultural aspect. The area is certainly coming up and as a loca my favorite addition is the new Goodwill. The owner has turned this store into a work of art. With an original Blek le Rat stencil protected by plexi glass near the entrance as well as the infamous SpaceInvader out in front, the owner has created space on the side of the entire building so that local artists can paint mini murals representing their styles. I imagine his/her goal is to fill the entire building with these, but for now its only on the side (WITH PLENTY OF OPEN SPOTS FOR THOSE INTERESTED). Anyways, just wanted to throw in that third suggestion although it would be absolutely amazing if all three of the spots become main areas for the artists talents of our city and those international souls who choose our city to represent their works!

LittleHavanaLocal

I feel like Miami is stirring up something very good in our Cultural Arts department and in the next 5 years anyone who joins tihs movement will certainly be a part of something historical in our city! So many fresh young faces and artists, all that we have to do is come together as a community and work together :) good luck to the tenants and artists....don't forget! KEEP ON KEEPING ON no matter what!

Donnie Donnie

those landlords are just taking advantage cause the wynwood area is not that great yet, there is still not too much foot traffic, its getting there thou, maybe one day it can be like soho in nyc

Roy Gonzalez

Gentrification at its finest..

Carolina Soto

Overtown or downtown.

k117

The "Next BIG Thing" is in my pants!

jjcolagrande topcommenter

2 Like

@k117 good. b-c it's certainly not near your skull . . .

Carlos Franco

they will move up into little haiti and down to downtown and west of wynwood where rents are still cheap. its funny how the area is considered valuable after its made a name but not the artists who sought studio space or the galleries that took a chance on a warehouse district with no traffic, they are considered disposable once rents go up.

mom25256

@Carlos FrancoIt is quite a shame..The area which at one point was considered a "ok, lock your doors" location has been transformed by the beautiful works of many artists. The all mighty dollar has over shadowed the the reality of "WOW! look at what introducing culture has done to this place"..Why does Miami repeatedly mess with a good thing..? I watched as Miami made it less appealing and difficult for the booming film industry years back..So many decided to look elsewhere..Instead of embracing, appreciating and being grateful for this major transformation to a once far from desirable area..greed takes over..?? They obviously just don't get it..? Then again we are talking about "business" land owners..and artists.. quite far apart on the color spectrum..??

Sean O'Hanlon

Oh Steven...

Glen Nelson

Soul Focus House in BBAD on Thursdays: ART WALK 2013

Jorge Navarro

Hialeah! lol

gpaugam7

A shame when landlords start getting greedy and start raising rents because they start to think their properties are irreplaceable. Good luck to all the tenants.