It is a destination featuring a kaleidoscope of colorful, eye-popping street murals. Miami’s original street art museum’s vibrant open-air display has helped shape Miami’s art scene, transforming the district and celebrating street art. More than a mere destination, the Wynwood Walls is an immersive experience where creativity runs free. The creativity of painter and iconic street artist Kenny Scharf greets art lovers when they enter the museum from painter and iconic street artist Kenny Scharf.
Wynwood History
Wynwood was an industrial urban neighborhood that had fallen on hard times with failed manufacturing businesses, abandoned warehouses, and crime. The Wynwood Walls is a vision of the late Tony Goldman in 2009. The owner of Goldman Properties had a vision of an open-air art gallery accessible to all. He wanted to see Wynwood become a “canvas for urban street art”. Undoubtedly, it paid off. It still has the feel of a warehouse district but the clearest vibe is that of art. It’s everywhere.
Meet A Few of the Artists
Meet Dan Kitchener (Dank)
Since opening in 2009, Wynwood Walls has helped ignite one of the largest art movements in history. These remarkable Walls have transformed the definition of modern art and become a career-defining moment for contributing artists, all while helping to make Wynwood one of the world’s most celebrated urban revitalization projects and an oasis for cutting-edge creativity. Wynwood elevates street art to a genre that art lovers widely respect. It has been a platform for many artists, representing 20 countries, and covering over 85,000 square feet of walls. Dan Kitchener specializes in worldwide street art as well as epic-scale murals. He painted this stunning colorful wall, “The Girl in the Rain”, inspired by a Tokyo street scene. This glistening mural is perfect for an umbrella selfie, even in the sunshine.
Meet Mikael B
The Wynwood Walls and area surrounding this part of Miami have such a fun and different vibe than I expected. Street art is on nearly every corner you turn. Unquestionably, Wynwood Miami is one of the world’s greatest outdoor graffiti and street art museums. Wynwood Walls features more artists than ever and its eye-catching murals rotate frequently. Mikael B practices his style of interweaving brightly colored forms in the liminal space between shapes and lettering. This section was closed due to an event but I was able to get a partial photo through the gate.
Meet The London Police
The London Police is an artist collective started in 1998 when big English geezers headed to Amsterdam to help rejuvenate the visually disappointing streets of Holland’s capital. They are Chaz Barrisson who draws the iconic ‘LADS’ characters and Bob Gibson whose tight portrait and architectural illustrations help marry the two styles and as a result, create an endearing, exciting fantasy world. They were part of a small group of artists at the end of the last century that helped pioneer a new street art movement. Since 2009 the collective has concentrated on more intense canvas work, bigger solo shows, and large-scale mural projects.
Commissioned by The Related Group to artist El Mac in 2019, “A Love Supreme” is still one of the largest and most visible murals in Wynwood. As can be seen, this massive El Mac mural towers over the Wynwood Complex.
Since its establishment, the Wynwood Walls has spurred the creation of more murals and projects throughout the Wynwood district. For example, the parking garage is multi-functional complete with office space and retail shops.
A Reclaimed Subway Car now calls Wynwood Home
A reclaimed subway car has made its final home to be part of Wynwood Walls. The art piece finds its new home after completing a 1,000-mile journey from West Virginia to Wynwood. Subways are significant to the genre of street art. After all, they were often used as one of the first canvasses for graffiti writers to share their artwork with an entire city. While most cars were scrapped after being in service for around 10 years, this one was used in anti-terrorism training exercises for the Center for National Response.
The historic 48-foot immersive subway art piece will call the Wynwood Walls its forever home. To create interactive artwork for visitors, the subway car is set to feature one-of-a-kind murals on the exterior and curated artworks on the interior, where advertising posters were once housed. Consequently, this work is meant to delight, inspire, and spark curiosity for its future “passengers” in its new home at Wynwood Walls.
It’s not just murals and graffiti art that make up the Wynwood Walls. You’ll also see fascinating sculptures like Plastic Mom and Baby Monkeys by Bordelo II. Bordelo used trash that when put together created a mother and baby monkey hanging out on a tree. The sheer size of this sculpture speaks volumes.
Meet Ron English
Say Hi to the Supersized 3D Temper Tot that will greet you as you enter the museum yard. English has brought his art to life at music festivals, shopping centers, a touring circus, and Wynwood Walls. You can get a high-fashion Ron English Temper Tot T-shirt at the gift shop. But wait… it’s more than a T-shirt; it’s a wearable art statement.
Meet Drik The Villain
Drik The Villain from Berlin has been painting for over 25 years and is breaking new ground with his complex compositions that focus on letters and images.
The letters in “Piece of a Daydream” are not just the main feature but also the overall picture.
The Wynwood Arts District
The neighborhood also has unique boutiques, trendy cafes, craft breweries, and stylish restaurants that offer a range of shopping and dining experiences, making it a favorite among visitors.
Wynwood Walls is an outdoor urban graffiti art museum. Nearby, you will find art galleries, shops, and restaurants to make a perfect day exploring the area. While you tour the area, grab a frozen margarita, gelato, or pizza for lunch across the street from the museum entrance.
Another museum to check out is the Museum of Graffiti at 299 NW 25th Street. It is the first museum dedicated to graffiti. The Museum exhibits, educates, and celebrates graffiti artists who have transformed walls in our public spaces into vibrant masterpieces.
Since its opening in 2009, the Wynwood Walls has developed into a world-famous street art museum. Participation in the Walls has become a career-defining moment for many artists, all while helping to make Wynwood one of the most celebrated urban revitalization projects. You can view over 35 hand-sprayed murals in a kaleidoscope of colors that celebrate Miami’s unique culture and honor the heritage that has shaped Miami into what it is today.
Location
The street art is on nearly every corner you turn. The art constantly changes, giving you something new to look at even if you’ve visited previously. You can find the Wynwood Walls just north of downtown and across the bridge from Miami Beach.
The Wynwood Walls: 266 NW 26th St, Miami, FL
The murals at Miami’s Wynwood Walls have been such a success that artists in cities all over Florida have adorned buildings in many small towns and some larger cities with murals to enhance boring blank walls. If you can’t get enough murals, jump in the car and head north about 100 miles to Hobe Sound, Florida. Follow the guide to see The Sensational Art of the Hobe Sound Mural Tour.
