Miami’s favorite art patron shares her must-visit creative favorites.
Leandro Erlich, “Swimming Pool,” at Pérez Art Museum Miami PHOTO BY LAZARO LLANES
Alexa Wolman is recognized for her inspiring spirit, razor-sharp wit and (often) bright pink hairstyle. Together with her husband, Adam Wolman, they have become Miami’s favorite art patrons respected for their cooperative approach to supporting the arts. Jointly, they are on the boards of Pérez Art Museum Miami and Vizcaya Museum & Gardens and are partners in the Florida Room music project. Alexa’s active participation and upbeat support of the city’s art organizations afford her a unique perspective and access to the best of contemporary creativity. Miami magazine uncovers what an art day with this aficionado has in store.
Alexa and Adam Wolman PHOTO: BY SHANE ELIPOT
Illusions at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Our first stop is PAMM to see the thought-provoking, fun and optically stunning Leandro Erlich Liminal exhibition guest-curated by Dan Cameron. Erlich hails from Argentina, a country with a rich history of artists experimenting with op and kinetic art, including the legendary Julio Le Parc, who showed at PAMM in 2017. Expanding on this history, Erlich has created magical rooms that look down into a swimming pool, peer into a hair salon and a multilevel apartment building, and more, which change with masterful illusion. It’s a great exhibition to expand the mind! Through Sept. 4, 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, pamm.org
Meet the artists at Fountainhead Residency
This nonprofit residency program, founded by Kathryn and Dan Mikesell, is located in a home within the residential area of Morningside, so it is a little under the radar. There are usually three artists in the residency at one time, so it is a great way for people who love art to meet and engage with artists in person. I respond very differently when an artist tells me about their work themselves—it’s such a wonderful personal touch to learning about the person and their practice. fountainheadarts.org
Amy Bravo in residence at Fountainhead, July 2022. BY CORNELLIUS TULLOCH/COURTESY OF FOUNTAINHEAD
The Bass on the Beach
The Bass, in the heart of Miami Beach, is steps away from a beautiful coastline. The museum’s exhibitions are contemporary and cutting edge, and I love taking friends to see “Miami Mountain” (2016), the incredible 42-foot-tall rock sculpture by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone on its front lawn, Collins Park. This work is flanked by Jim Drain’s geometric “Chess Tables” (2014), which anyone can use anytime. The museum’s front desk has chess and checker pieces to loan, and it feels so special to play and interact with two iconic artworks that are part of the museum’s permanent collection. 2100 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, thebass.org
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami. PHOTO: BY ROBIN HILL/COURTESY OF VIZCAYA MUSEUM & GARDENS
Miami’s historic gem, the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
The Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is an exquisite location and a must-do Miami experience. My husband, Adam, sits on the board of directors to support the preservation of this magnificent historic home and garden so unusual to see in South Florida. Alongside discovering traditional art favorites, in the ilk of portrait painter John Singer Sargent, Vizcaya also has a contemporary art program and collection. This all-encompassing creative scope, alongside the story of Vizcaya’s late founder James Deering, really gives you a sense of where Miami came from. 3251 S. Miami Ave., Miami, vizcaya.org
Stiltsville house, 2017 COURTESY OF CLAIRE BREUKEL
Boat to Stiltsville and The Cleat
An amazing architectural site to see is Stiltsville, a group of wooden houses built in Biscayne Bay in the 1920s and 1930s, mainly as places to sell alcohol during the Prohibition era. These houses on stilts had a vast view to see when police were coming, and visitors on boats could come and go at leisure. It is remarkable that seven houses have survived decades of hurricanes.
A short boat ride away to Key Biscayne’s southern tip is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and our favorite waterfront bar, The Cleat Miami. My partner in the Florida Room project, Daniel Gonzalez, is the owner and a member of the well-known rock band the Jacuzzi Boys— it’s perfect for a sunset cocktail, and there may be a great band playing! stiltsvilletrust.org
Photography by: Photo By: Lazaro Llanes
