An alternative art fair created by Seattle artists and dealers: second year. It features 41 galleries from the United States, Canada and London, with an emphasis on west coast galleries and emerging artists. This intimate, friendly fair made a small but significant splash in the vast Miami Beach artfest.
We are pleased to announce the second year of Aqua Art Miami, an alternative art fair taking place
concurrently with Art Basel Miami Beach December 7-10, 2006. Created by Seattle artists and dealers,
Aqua Art Miami features 41 galleries from the United States, Canada and London, with an emphasis on
west coast galleries and emerging artists. The fair will take place at the Aqua Hotel, 1530 Collins Avenue
- a short walk from the Miami Beach Convention Center, location of the Fifth Annual Art Basel fair.
Aqua Art Miami initially grew from a desire for west coast galleries to have greater representation in
Miami during the Art Basel fair, deemed the most important contemporary art fair in the United States
and drawing a large and prestigious attendance from around the world. In order to gain access to this
audience, a number of alternative satellite fairs have been established along side the main fair. Aqua will
once again occupy the intimate and relaxed Aqua Hotel, a two story Mid-Century Modern building with
spacious rooms surrounding a breezy outdoor central courtyard area. The casual atmosphere of the hotel
provides a welcome oasis for viewing contemporary art.
Aqua’s first year in Miami in 2005 was a notable success. The Art Newspaper, which covers the festivities
each day during Art Basel, ran an article on Day 2 titled "Aqua launches with a splash," and reported that,
"The quality of the art on offer and the reasonable prices were pleasant surprises, [with] discoveries to
be made. This intimate, friendly fair made a small but significant splash in the vast Miami Beach artfest
this year." ArtInfo.com reported, "Who knew this fair would run so much deeper than emerging artists
working on paper? But bright young things were Aqua’s true siren call, and curators and collectors came
in droves...." Seattle’s The Stranger noted, "The respite—the realness—privided by Aqua was palpable."
With its convenient location, shuttle service from Art Basel, free admission, and a complimentary catalog,
Aqua will continue to be a refreshing addition to the other fairs and events in Miami this December.
2006 Exhibitors: Acuna-Hansen, Los Angeles • Allston Skirt, Boston • Bank, Los Angeles • Carl Berg, Los Angeles • Blanket,
Vancouver • Lisa Boyle, Chicago • Branch, Durham • Cynthia Broan, New York • Bucket Rider, Chicago • Lisa Dent, San Francisco
• Davidson Contemporary, Seattle • eyewash, Brooklyn • Gallery Joe, Philadelphia • Keith Talent, London • Greg Kucera, Seattle
• James Harris, Seattle • Eleanor Harwood, San Francisco • Howard House, Seattle • Rebecca Ibel, Columbus • Inman, Houston
• Irvine Contemporary, Washington DC • LAWRIMORE project, Seattle • Elizabeth Leach, Portland • lemon sky: projects + editions,
Miami/LA • LIMN Gallery, San Francisco • Gregory Lind, San Francisco • Motel, Portland • New Image Art, West Hollywood
• othergallery, Winnipeg • Platform, Seattle • Plush, Dallas • sixspace, Culver City • Small A Projects, Portland • SOIL, Seattle
• SUNDAY, New York • Traywick Contemporary, Berkeley • Western Exhibitions, Chicago • Western Project, Culver City • Tony
Wight/Bodybuilder & Sportsman, Chicago • Winkleman / Plus Ultra, New York • Steven Wolf, San Francisco
December 6
Press & Private Invitational Preview
time TBA (invitation/VIP pass required - contact us)
December 10 — noon-5pm
Free admission
Complimentary catalog
Free shuttle leaving Art Basel every 15 minutes
Aqua Hotel
1530 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida
open to the public — 11am-8pm