From Locust Projects to Emerson Dorsch: Top 8 Art Galleries in Miami

The Miami art scene is a vibrant and ever-evolving blend of diverse influences—fusing traditional Latin American and Caribbean aesthetics with modern American and international trends. Over the years, Miami has grown into a hub for the arts—fueled in large part by events like Art Basel Miami Beach. Art Basel attracts a global audience and showcases a vast range of pieces that both reference historical techniques and push the envelope of contemporary art. But Miami is more than its annual art fair. From Locust Projects to Emerson Dorsch, Miami is home to some of the most intriguing, inventive, and engaging galleries in the world. Take a tour of the top eight art galleries in Miami below.

Miami Art Basel

Art Basel Miami Beach—often simply referred to as Art Basel Miami—is the American equivalent of the premier international art fair that originated in Basel, Switzerland. Held annually in Miami Beach, this event has rapidly become one of the most influential art fairs in the world—drawing a global audience of artists, collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts. 

Showcasing a vast array of contemporary artworks from leading galleries, it acts as both a marketplace for high-end art and a platform for emerging artists. Beyond the main event, the entire city of Miami comes alive with satellite art shows, parties, and exhibitions—transforming Miami Beach into an epicenter of the art world for that week and reinforcing Miami’s status as a major player in the global art scene. Stay tuned for our upcoming article about where to eat, drink, and sleep in Miami Beach during Basel.

Beyond Art Basel: Miami’s Year-Round Gallery Scene

Miami’s art scene is headlined by Art Basel, but the city has so much more to offer. The Wynwood Arts District, with its famed Wynwood Walls, is a testament to the city’s dedication to street art and murals—drawing both established and emerging artists to its streets, creating a dynamic and colorful urban canvas.

Apart from the large-scale events and districts, Miami’s art scene is deeply rooted in its rich cultural heritage. Little Havana offers a deep dive into Cuban art and culture—with its galleries, street performances, and murals that tell tales of history, migration, and identity. 

Various venues like the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and The Bass keep the pulse of contemporary art alive—while numerous small galleries and spaces scattered throughout the city host exhibitions, performances, and installations that challenge traditional boundaries and encourage artistic dialogue. The city’s commitment to the arts ensures that Miami remains at the forefront of global artistic innovation.

Take a Tour of Miami’s Eight Best Art Galleries

Locust Projects

Locust Projects is a not-for-profit exhibition space situated in Miami’s Design District. It stands as one of the city’s most prominent venues for experimental and innovative contemporary art. 

Established in 1998 by a trio of Miami-based artists—Westen Charles, Elizabeth Withstandley, and COOPER—Locust Projects was conceived as a space that would offer artists the freedom to develop and showcase projects that push boundaries, devoid of commercial pressures. Over the years, it has played a pivotal role in Miami’s art scene by providing both local and international artists with a platform to present ambitious and often site-specific installations.

The ethos of Locust Projects revolves around fostering an environment that encourages risk-taking and dialogue within the artistic community. Unlike many traditional galleries that operate with a profit motive, Locust Projects prioritizes the artistic process and conceptual development. 

As a result, artists are given the latitude to explore, experiment, and realize visionary ideas that might not find a home in more commercial settings. This commitment to groundbreaking art has earned Locust Projects a reputation as a bastion for creativity and a must-visit spot for art enthusiasts keen on experiencing the cutting edge of Miami’s vibrant art scene.

Current Exhibitions in Q3 2023

• Jen Clay: Eyes of the Skin from September 16th through November 4th, 2023.
• The Ars Electronica Animation Festival 2022 on Tour (Group Exhibition) from September 23rd through November 4th, 2023.

Upcoming Exhibitions in Q4 2023

• Cornelius Tulloch: Poetics of Place from November 18th, 2023 through February 10th, 2024
• Tania Candiani: Waterbirds: Migratory Sound Flow from November 28th, 2023 through February 10th, 2024

Emerson Dorsch

Emerson Dorsch is a renowned contemporary art gallery located in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood. Founded in the 1990s by Brook Dorsch and later co-directed with Tyler Emerson-Dorsch, the gallery has consistently championed a curated blend of both local and international artists. 

Known for its commitment to presenting thought-provoking exhibitions and fostering meaningful dialogue within the art community, Emerson Dorsch has been instrumental in spotlighting and nurturing talent—playing a significant role in the evolution and recognition of Miami’s dynamic art landscape.

Current Exhibitions in Q3 2023

• FOUNTAINHEAD BIENNIAL II: Last Days of a House, Curated by Omar López-Chahoud until September 30th, 2023.

Upcoming Exhibitions in Q4 2023

• Programming not available. Check the website here for more information. 

Gallery Diet (Now Nina Johnson Gallery)

Gallery Diet is a contemporary art gallery known for its dedication to presenting innovative and thought-provoking exhibitions from emerging and established artists. Founded by Nina Johnson-Milewski in 2007 in the Wynwood Arts District, the gallery has since relocated to the city’s Little Haiti neighborhood, further cementing its commitment to the evolving Miami art scene. It is now called “Nina Johnson Gallery”—after its founder.

Since its inception, Gallery Diet (Nina Johnson Gallery) has garnered a reputation for its discerning curatorial approach, regularly showcasing artworks that challenge conventional perspectives and push the boundaries of contemporary art. Johnson and her roster of artists are recognized for their significant contribution to amplifying the cultural discourse in Miami and beyond. The gallery’s space itself, with its architectural quirks and designed gardens, mirrors its ethos of merging history, art, and design.

Nina Johnson Gallery was recently identified by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the best galleries in Miami. Artists represented by Johnson include Cassi Namoda, Amy Bessone, Yukultji Napangati, Anders Ruhwald, and Judy Chicago—among many others. 

Current Exhibitions in Q3 2023

• Bari Ziperstein: Fantasy Pieces: Decorative Garments for the Home from September 28th through November 18th, 2023.
• Gaby Collins-Fernández: Very High Baroque from September 14th through October 14th, 2023

Upcoming Exhibitions in Q4 2023

• Emmett Moore: Hyper Natural from October 19th through November 18th, 2023.

Primary Projects

Primary Projects is a cutting-edge contemporary art gallery in Miami known for its commitment to fostering avant-garde, multidisciplinary artworks. Established by the art collectors Typoe, Cristina Gonzalez, and Books Bischof, Primary Projects has been a bastion for artists who blur the lines between traditional genres. 

Situated in Little River after relocating from the Design District, the gallery is celebrated for its daring exhibitions—often characterized by immersive installations and unconventional mediums. Primary Projects’ artists regularly extend their work beyond the gallery space—as pictured above in the mural by Nina Chanel Abney. 

Since 2007, Primary has solidified its place as a vital force in Miami’s vibrant art scene. Artists represented by the gallery include Bradley Sizemore, Avery Pack, and Wade Tullier. 

Current Exhibitions in Q3 2023

• Bradley Sizemore until October 14th, 2023

Upcoming Exhibitions in Q4 2023

• Oona Brangam-Snell opening October 14th, 2023.

David Castillo Gallery

In Miami Beach, David Castillo Gallery is a premier contemporary art gallery that has championed both emerging and established artists since its inception. It provides a platform to underrepresented voices in the art world—whether they be international or local artists.

Established by David Castillo in 2005, the gallery has garnered a reputation for its rigorous and dynamic curatorial approach to showing contemporary artists and their work. The gallery focuses on artists of color, LGBTQ+ artists, and women— consistently showing work that interrogates social, historical, and personal narratives.

Over the years, David Castillo Gallery has participated in several international art fairs and has mounted exhibitions that have significantly contributed to contemporary discourse. By doing so, the gallery has been instrumental in shifting and expanding the boundaries of the Miami art scene. 

Castillo’s dedication to promoting pivotal artists and fostering intellectual exchange is evident in the gallery’s robust program and its ongoing commitment to the evolving landscape of contemporary art. Artists currently represented by the gallery include Sanford Biggers, María de los Angeles Rodriguez Jimenez, Shinique Smith, Vaughn Spann, and Yesiyu Zhao. Castillo also shows work by the late and incredibly daring Cuban artist Belkis Ayón.

Current Exhibitions in Q3 2023

• Atopia from July 20th through September 2nd, 2023.

Upcoming Exhibitions in Q4 2023

• Programming not available. Check the website here for more information about upcoming and past exhibitions. 

Mindy Solomon Gallery

Currently located in Little River, Mindy Solomon Gallery is a contemporary art space known for its eclectic blend of emerging and mid-career artists. Founded by Mindy Solomon in 2009, the gallery showcases a diverse range of mediums—from painting and sculpture to ceramic and multimedia installations. 

With a discerning eye for talent and a commitment to narrative-driven art, Solomon’s gallery has established itself as a significant venue in Miami’s art scene—often spotlighting artists whose works explore the intersections of identity, culture, and materiality.

Artists currently represented by the gallery include Alejandro Contreras, Caroline Larson, Ezra Johnson, Jeremy Olson, and Kate MacDowell—who is one of my personal favorites. 

Current Exhibitions in Q3 2023

• Ernesto Garcia Sanchez: Greetings From Yucatán from September 16th through October 14th, 2023.
• Daniela Gomez Paz: Tesando Agujeros from September 16th through October 14th, 2023.
• Simphiwe Mbunyuza: Inkobe, Unmamdi Ngo Chubelana from September 16th through October 14th, 2023.

Upcoming Exhibitions in Q4 2023

• Caroline Larsen: Peaks And Valleys from October 22nd through November 25, 2023.
• Lanise Howard: Procession Of The Son from October 22nd through November 25, 2023.
• Ornella Pocetti: Honey From A Dark Hive from October 22nd through November 25, 2023.

Spinello Projects

Spinello Projects is a pioneering contemporary art gallery in Miami—celebrated for its role in spotlighting and supporting both local and international avant-garde artists. Talented Latin American and African artists frequently show with Spinello. 

Founded by Anthony Spinello in 2005, the gallery quickly became a beacon for innovative artistic expression—showcasing projects that span a variety of mediums. Spinello’s keen curatorial vision has consistently leaned toward provocative, concept-driven works—making the gallery a hotspot for those eager to engage with art that challenges conventions and stimulates discourse.

Beyond merely presenting artworks, Spinello Projects has been instrumental in fostering the careers of numerous artists—giving them a platform to explore and realize their visions without the pressures of commercial constraints. Located in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, the gallery’s space itself becomes an immersive environment during exhibitions—allowing visitors to truly engage with the narratives and ideas presented. 

Current Projects and Exhibitions in Q3 2023

• Spinello and several of its artists are currently exhibiting at PHOTOFAIRS New York.

Upcoming Exhibitions in Q4 2023

• Nereida Garcia-Ferraz | De Noche, Los Sueños beginning October 30th, 2023 through November 4th, 2023.
• Nina Surel | Florida Beauty beginning October 30th, 2023 through November 4th.

Tile Blush

Our final Miami gallery on this list is Tile Blush. Tile Blush’s identity is tied to both the art and design worlds. The gallery name hints at its roots: it was founded by a family deeply engaged in the tile industry. “Blush” suggests a touch or trace of color, nuance, or emotion. 

This duality is reflected in the gallery’s programming—which often blurs the lines between art and design—showcasing innovative and interdisciplinary projects. As a space, Tile Blush is not just about exhibiting art but also engaging with architectural and design interventions—thereby offering a multi-faceted experience to its visitors. 

The gallery’s exhibitions frequently engage with materiality, form, and space—providing both artists and audiences with fresh perspectives on how art can intersect with everyday life and functional design. Artists represented by the gallery include ​​Lynne Golob Gelfman, Aramis Gutierrez, Yosuke Kobashi, Jonathan Nesci, Lex Pott, Brian Rideout, and Anna Vickers.

Current Exhibitions in Q3 2023

• The exhibition American Collection Paintings: BRIAN RIDEOUT is permanently on view by appointment only.

Upcoming Exhibitions in Q4 2023

• Programming not yet announced.

Which Will You Visit While in Miami?

Where will you venture while in Miami? Let us know which shows inspire you.