Review: Gallery Night in Wynwood ... by gimleteye

I remember when going on an art walk in Wynwood meant one stop; Fred Snitzer’s gallery. It wasn't so long ago. That’s a far cry from what occurs, once a month, on gallery night —the second Saturday in Wynwood.

I hadn’t been in a while. Last Saturday night Wynwood was packed. Yes it feels a little like Kendall has descended en masse, but for the most part the crowds are magnificent compared to the desert gulch downtown Miami is, at night.

In the 1990's, there was still hope for an arts district on the Miami River, but greedy landowners made sure that never happened. They were waiting for the miracle bubble to come. It did come and it did burst. They laughed off the idea that river property could serve a public good and also act as an engine of economic growth.

Wynwood isn’t the Miami River. But it is where the energy of the city manifests one night a month. And that is a very good thing.

To the galleries that popped up everywhere, add pop-up food vendors and street music. This is how civic energy can work and should. That it is happening in Miami despite city and business leaders is par for the course. The energy reminds me how funky Lincoln Road used to be, before the major chains took root.

It is common sense that Miami should have a place where grass roots arts are encouraged, audiences given an opportunity to participate, and where the Chamber of Commerce stands down. Why? Because growth and economic development follows of the arts, its makers, and patrons who eventually define what is “cool” and desirable (before whatever “it” is, is turned into a commodity.) This is not rocket science: it has been proven out in American cities from Providence, to San Antonio, to Louisville.

Locals should make the Wynwood night bi-monthly; the city should put enough incentives for little pop-up businesses like the food vendors to compete. My only knock on gallery walk night, please—don’t let the volume of street DJ’s overpower the enjoyment of everything else. That's just stupid.