MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach experienced a significant influx of visitors as Art Basel events took center stage on Friday.
The major cultural moment attracts enthusiasts from all over, turning the city into a vibrant hub of activity.
Jaye Michelle Harris, a New York Baseler, described it as “the biggest cultural moment of the year.”
Loretta Owen, also from New York, shared her sentiments, saying it “feels like New York, in a way... tropical New York.”
The event showcases a diverse array of art, catering to enthusiasts of all kinds.
Event guide: Art Basel Miami Beach 2024: Convention center’s 6 sections include nearly 290 galleries
“We love to see the art, and we love to see what’s new and exciting and enjoy all the creativity,” Lisa Henschel, a Boca Raton Baseler, said.
Fellow Boca Baseler Sam Henschel appreciated the event’s evolution, noting, “Year on year, as we keep coming back, we keep seeing it evolve and change and grow. It’s just really fascinating to continue to see that.”
An estimated 79,000 people are expected to pass through the Miami Beach Convention Center for this year’s event.
Owen commented on the city’s lively atmosphere, saying, “Just enjoying the city — I think it brings a really cool crowd of folks over.”
The influx of visitors explains the heavy traffic, not just around the convention center but also on the causeways.
Art Basel is not the only attraction; Miami Art Week — with its fairs and galleries — is expected to draw more than 100,000 people throughout the weekend.
From the Miami Design District to Wynwood, where sections of Northwest Second Avenue will be closed, traffic may come to a halt.
Henschel humorously noted, “It’s traffic on a Tuesday when this isn’t here,” highlighting the usual congestion.
Yet, despite the traffic, the art remains a show-stopper.
Harris encapsulated the experience perfectly, saying, “It is overwhelming, but I think that tingle in your body is what makes it all worth it.”