Pinta Miami is an art fair that distinguishes itself by specializing in the contemporary art of Latin America. The 2024 edition – its 18th since inaugurating in New York and 11th since relocating to South Florida – was located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami and exhibited a tight selection of 39 galleries. These galleries were organized into three distinct sections: The Main Section, consisting of an international selection of galleries, which also incorporated Ibero-American representation via galleries from Spain and Portugal; The Radar Section, with each of 4 galleries presenting either a solo or two-artist exhibit; and The Next Section, which highlighted the proposals of 8 emerging South American Galleries. Accompanying was also a Special Project section that brought together a group of paintings by Indigenous artists from the Shipibo-konibo community, located in the Ucayali region of the Peruvian Amazon. 

 FORO, a forum component further contributed programming all throughout the weekend. The FORO brought more than 15 artists, curators, researchers, collectors, and cultural institutions into dialogues that addressed diverse topics, such as the challenges of managing initiatives and of developing contemporary art projects in Latin America. There were presentations of recent publications on the current dynamics of art collecting, discussion panels on new models of collaboration and management for art institutions, as well as film screenings, audiovisual works, and more.  

The fair also hosted a series of celebratory events, including private gatherings and exclusive occasions. A standout moment was the special breakfast held in honor of the legendary gallerist Bernice Steinbaum. This event brought together an inspiring group of artists, gallerists, and women professionals in the arts, celebrating Steinbaum’s remarkable career and her invaluable contributions to nurturing artistic talent and vision.Of this year’s offerings, Pinta global curator Irene Gelfman had this to say: “This edition of Pinta Miami was characterized by a generous layout and a meticulous selection of galleries, artists, and their artwork. On display was a great diversity and quality of Latino and Latinx artists, a meeting point for the north and south of our continent.” 

A sense of camaraderie amongst the gallerists gave way to a familiar feeling of community that often characterizes Latin American cultures. This was especially evident in The Next Section. Guided by the curation of Giuliana Vidarte, this section sorted 8 emerging galleries into 4 shared booths, generating collaboration across gallerists for a joint proposal. Bernardo Montoya from Salon Comunal, co-winner of the Next Award along with Hans Peterson from Departamento 112, said, “This opportunity that Pinta provides us to exchange knowledge, programs, and philosophies between two galleries from different countries is wonderful. It’s been a few months of learning with Hans, of validating why we are, as artists, managing these art circulation sites as well as emphasizing the importance and relevance of the art fair as a place to forge new and existing relationships”. The Spanish galleries participating in Pinta were just as excited about the opportunity. “Within the diversity of fairs that converge during Miami Art Week, Pinta stands out as a boutique-style platform for high-quality Ibero-American art collecting.” said Luis Valverde Espejo, gallerist of Espacio Mínimo.  

“Pinta offers context for understanding art in Latin America today by presenting classics and contemporary painting and sculpture from the region. Nobody does it better,” said fairgoer Alberto Ibargüen, when asked for a comment on his experience at Pinta. One booth that illustrated this quote was that of Bogotá based gallery El Museo; it juxtaposed the doughy figurations of Fernando Botero paintings with charcoal works by another Colombian, but this one working today, in Gonzalo Fuenmayor.  

One thing for sure, Pinta Miami was a success and will be back for its 19th edition during Miami Art Week 2025. 

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About Pinta Miami 

Pinta Miami is the only fair dedicated exclusively to Ibero-Latin American art during Miami Art Week. Since its founding in New York in 2007, Pinta has reinforced its commitment to showcasing artistic plurality through curated sections and a dynamic, contemporary interdisciplinary program. 

In its third consecutive edition at The Hangar in Coconut Grove, this major international event offers a unique environment that intertwines the artistic experience with sophistication and a natural setting, becoming a meeting point for artists, curators, gallerists, collectors, and art enthusiasts. 

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Just like their name, Arte Original is a gallery that brings truly unique artwork to collectors. They don’t search for artists from their office in Washington, DC. Their team of experts lives on the ground in Latin America where their artists are. That way they discover talent from the ground and bring them to the collectors. Also, this allows them to create jobs in the region and contribute to the local art ecosystem. Having their team on the ground also helps mitigate their biggest risk which is the logistical challenges. Each country has its specific requirements for exporting art. Arte Original’s team guides the artists with these issues, making sure all artworks are delivered safely to the client’s doorstep.

As a mindful gallery, Arte Original believes in growing together with collectors and artists. They know what’s going on in the artists’ lives and are there to support them – even if that means helping them purchase a much-needed water tank for their home in crisis-hit Caracas or assisting them in safely packing and sending their art from Buenos Aires. This way, the collectors can trust that the artists they fell in love with are in good hands.

Founder and CEO Su Hyun Kim has a background in international development having worked for more than 13 years in that field (UNICEF, Interamerican Development Bank, and the World Bank). Most of her work was in Latin America and the Caribbean – providing business analysis and technical consultancy to small and medium-size businesses. Meanwhile, during her many business trips, she made an exciting discovery. Every time a group went on the trip, at least one person would purchase a painting from a local gallery to bring back home. “Art is different here from what I can find back home” would always be the answer. The different styles – from surrealism, magic realism, geometric, abstract expressionism, and many more – and the joy of experiencing a new culture through a painting seemed to fascinate her colleagues. So the idea arose: why couldn’t they provide this opportunity to people who don’t necessarily travel that often?

That’s how Arte Original was born in 2019. The pandemic has been a challenge and a pivoting moment for the online gallery, but they are moving forward stronger than ever. Currently, the gallery represents over 120 artists from 7 countries in Latin America. Not only do they have exhibitions in the Washington, DC area but had a successful exhibition in Seoul, South Korea in 2021 partnering with a Korean Gallery to introduce Venezuelan Artist Jorge Contreras.

What are their most treasured moments? When that deep emotional connection between the artist’s story and the collector happens. When someone passes by a painting of a woman with a dreamy face and colors exploding from within her and starts uncontrollably crying in front of the painting, a nerve deep inside that person has been touched. The connection that an artwork can create, bridging thousands and millions of miles of distance is truly a powerful thing.

As a young gallery, Arte Original aims to become the trustworthy gallery that anyone can go to for Latin American fine art. They want to continue supporting artists that don’t have the promotion their work deserves, build a community of art lovers, and create jobs. Currently, 38% of the gallery’s artists are talented women artists – they aim to increase the ratio of women artists to 50% by 2023.

Author’s bio: Su Hyun Kim is the Founder and CEO of Arte Original. If you’re in the Washington, DC area keep an eye on their website for upcoming events and exhibitions. See more on their website: www.arteoriginal.co

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