Patrons gather Dec. 4 at ‘Miami Creative Unveiled’ to experience local artists. The Art Basel activity was hosted by Amigos Meet at Smugglers Cocina Cubana in Wynwood. Photo Credit: Dara Karadsheh
WYNWOOD– Although Art Basel attracts thousands of high-profile attendees paying hefty prices for tickets, Stephanie Pineda offered a free event to feature local artists and bring people together to celebrate and uplift each other.
She organized the event, “Miami Creative Unveiled,” just a few months of starting a social network, Amigos Meet, in June. The event was held Dec. 4 at the Smugglers Cocina Cubana, 170 NW 24th St., in Wynwood, and featured 15 local artists and vendors.
“The mission of Amigos Meet is to help people connect, creating connection, one event at a time,” Pineda said.
The idea of connection attracted Boca Raton artist Karim Aboud, who said she has participated in larger Art Basel shows.
Karim Aboud (@aria.marli), dedicated to female empowerment and self-love, showcases her paintings at ‘Miami Creative Unveiled’ at the Smugglers Cocina Cubana in Wynwood Dec. 4. Photo Credit: Dara Karadsheh
“I thought it would be perfect to, like, bring my art into it and like, just work on something together, a little bit more chill, not as commercial,” Aboud said. “It feels more authentic. I can connect more one-on-one with people interested in my art.”
Although Amigos Meet has sponsored other events, the Art Basel activity was an ambitious undertaking for her new business, Pineda said.
“I thought, ‘let me test the waters. Let me see if I can do something,’” she said. “I want to bring local artists from Miami to the forefront. You know, give them a chance.”
Pineda said she scoured social media and personally reached out to several artists to display their work at Miami Creative Unveiled. She said it was important that she represented both up-and-coming artists as well as those already well-established in the Miami artistic community.
Andrew Hayes, known for his paintings that bring life to the Wynwood Walls area, said showcasing his art at Miami Creative Unveiled was another way to spread his innate sense of joy to the community he loves, he said.
“My artwork is about being unapologetic, being yourself,” Hayes said. More importantly, one of the things I really enjoy doing is — I like to paint joy. What I really enjoy is that these types of events are kind of not just intimate, but you really find the real spirit of the city in them.”
Andrew Hayes (@thehayzebrand) says his paintings are inspired by joy and color. He participated at ‘Miami Creative Unveiled’ Dec. 4 at the Smugglers Cocina Cubana in Wynwood. Photo Credit: Dara Karadsheh
Karim Aboud creates “Follow Me,” a piece inspired by the frustration with the impact of social media on relationship. The live painting was displayed at ‘Miami Creative Unveiled’ Dec. 4 in Wynwood. Photo credit: Dara Karadsheh
Aboud, who named her art brand Aria Marli after her daughter, said her goal has always been to empower other women with her pieces, and connecting with those who relate to her art is of utmost importance to her.
“I just paint through different emotions and what I’m going through in life. I keep it 100% real,” Aboud said. “I want you to know that, like, even though we’re all going through things and making mistakes, we’re all in it together. We learn from it, and you’re not alone.”
