Miami's Favorite Fair Hops the Bay and Lands on the Sands of South Beach

Emerging contemporary art fair, Superfine!, returns to Miami Art Week from December 5-9, 2018 and moves to the Art Deco Welcome Center. Now on its fourth Miami show and seventh overall edition, Superfine! has proven itself to be the art fair that breaks down barriers. Seamlessly integrating independent artists and galleries under one roof, the fair also opens doors for those who’ve never collected art and want to.

Superfine! Miami Beach will take place from December 5 to 9 within the Art Deco Welcome Center located at 10th street and Ocean Drive. 38 solo artist booths and 11 galleries make up this year’s presentation, and visitors are encouraged to interact with and purchase the art – 75 percent of which is priced affordably from $300 to $5,000. A new collector’s paradise, Superfine! also encourages art lovers to use new tools like Art Money to purchase works with zero interest loans and manageable monthly payments.

Letter from fair Director Alex Mitow:

“It was important to us not to return to Miami Art Week unless we could provide real value for the emerging artists and galleries who make up our exhibitor base, as well as easy access for both local collectors and those visiting from around the globe. With a location on the sand in Miami Beach adjacent to SCOPE and Untitled and a 5 minute Uber or CitiBike from the main Art Basel fair, I can confidently say that we can.

Art should be about experiencing wonder and discovery, being enlightened and excited. Too many fairs and galleries get wrapped up in art world politics and forget their prime duty: to connect the work of talented artists with people who love and appreciate it. That’s the mindset we are seeking (and succeeding) to correct.” 

“We have been – and always will be – the boutique fair to big box fairs like Art Miami and Art Basel. Even as we expand to give our exhibitors room to spread out, we maintain a cap of 40-80 exhibitors and carefully curate each fair as a unique exhibition. So there’s a lot to see, but the visitor can still digest it, and know the work is quality because we pay more attention to that than many of the bigger guys on the block are able to do. Superfine! Miami Beach will heavily leverage the performing arts – both from Miami and around the globe – to create a highly immersive environment that’s a respite from typical art fair fare.

Being on the Beach, this year’s Superfine! will also take an environmental turn with installation art centered around the plastics that continue to pose a problem in our world’s oceans and panel discussions at the intersection of science and art. I quite honestly cannot wait to see how our artists and galleries tackle the urgent issues facing us, and moreover continue to engage collectors at every level with incredible emerging contemporary art.” 

About Superfine!

Superfine! – The Fair was created by an artist, James Miille, and an arts entrepreneur, Alex Mitow, in 2015. The two, partners in life as well as business, started the fair as a reaction to what they saw in the current art market — inflated prices, sluggish sales, and a widening valley between a constantly growing art-appreciating public and an insular art world positioned outside of their price range and comfort zone. Superfine! is an alternative to typical art fairs – a transparent, approachable environment for buying and selling art that maintains the highest curatorial standards in the industry while simultaneously opening up the market to new collectors and emerging gallery programs and artists.

Vero Beach Abstract Artist Chitra Ramanthan Creates Elegant & Peaceful Paintings Ideal For Any Space

Painter and arts educator Chitra Ramanathan's unique body of acrylic and mixed media paintings portray happiness as a visual entity through a curious blend of intense colors and a myriad of textural materials that glow in any light and provide a feast for the eyes. Hence they have been considered ideal for display in any luxury venue or interior by collectors and designers alike. 

'Manifestation", Mixed Media Collage on Canvas, 58 x 38 inches

Chitra was invited to interview with Art Link in Boston, Massachusetts to participate in Conversations with Artists and Art Professionals hosted by Joyce Creiger, founder of Art Specifier, who invited and interviewed the renowned painter and arts educator for the popular series.

'Symphony' (2015), Acrylic on Canvas, 67 x 71 inches

Growing up as an award-winning child artist in India, the artist continued her education and pursued a career as an established painter in the United States. Chitra attended the University of Illinois and received her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Painting with honors in 1993, and her M.B.A degree with concentrations in Art Museum Administration and Human Resources in 1997 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

'Joyful Musings', Mixed Media on Canvas, 36 x 60 inches

Chitra's distinguished body of work, many of them large-scale, have been acquired in the United States and abroad, and commissioned as site-specific public artworks by educational institutions and organizations such as MGM Resorts, Las Vegas. 

Untitled, commissioned piece for a private collector in Boston, Mass.
Acrylic, Gold Leaf, Mixed Media on Canvas, 36 x 60 inches

A pair of the artist's signed paintings are displayed permanently in the Bellagio Conservatory at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas since 2004. 

Chitra Ramanathan's Paintings Hang in the Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas' Permanent Collection

As an arts educator who has taught courses and workshops in the painting medium for more than a decade, Chitra has been invited to participate in numerous visual presentations of her body of thematic work by institutions within the United States and abroad, such as the Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom at the Royal Academy Schools in 2005, with invitations for professional artist residencies completed in Paris, France 2010, and in Venice, Italy 2012. 

'Ocean Melodies', Acylic on Canvas, 67 x 48 inches

Chitra is a faculty member of the Vero Beach Museum of Art. She is a full-time artist and painter who is widely collected throughout the US and abroad. To learn more about this fascinating artist, for sales and inquiries, or view images of available and acquired original artworks please visit www.chitrafineart.com

Best-Selling Author, Cancer Survivor And Motivational Speaker Christine Handy Inspires Humanity Through Her Incredible Journey Of Survival, Friendship And Self-Love

Public speaker and author of the best-selling novel, ‘Walk Beside Me’, model Christine Handy has dedicated herself to empowering audiences across the United States through her powerful story about illness, recovery, inner-beauty and the strength of the human spirit.

After a series of health crises including breast cancer, former model Christine Handy found a new way to live and devoted herself to sharing her journey with others, while educating and consoling them. In her pursuit she authored the novel Walk Beside Me, a fictional depiction of her illness and her long road to recovery. Released on May 1, 2016, the book immediately became a national best-seller launching Christine into a new career as a high-demand motivational speaker and successful author. “A heart-felt story that makes you believe in miracles,” said Michael Levin, New York Times Best Selling Author, of Christine’s book Walk Beside Me.

Prior to her battles with cancer, she endured a series of health problems with serious complications and a long path to recovery. Cancer brought a radically new perspective on life for Christine, "It took me having to fight for my life to realize my self-worth,” she said. Christine had lived a picture-perfect life as a wife and mother, with a successful modeling career and a rich social life. She was physically fit, athletic, and beautiful – her life was the quintessential American dream that turned into a nightmare, and finally to a new life of independence, self-confidence, and fulfillment.

“The writing experience has helped me grow emotionally and spiritually. God gave me the book I always wanted to write. Writing a book had always been my life’s dream.  It may not have been the story I dreamt of writing, but it was Gods story and I had to be faithful. The writing process was also healing to a mountain of open wounds I had from the doctors that bullied me and from the daunting chemo that I had to endure. My story is a powerful tale, and writing it after I lived through it helped me see it in a different light. A light that gave me hope and showed me my own bravery,” said Christine Handy, author of the nationally best-selling book Walk Beside Me.

An accomplished model in both the national and international sphere, Christine began modeling at the tender age of 11 in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout her career she did campaigns for notable brands including Guess, J. Crew, JC Penney, Bud Light, Pepsi, Petco and Target. Modeling up until her cancer diagnosis, Christine now serves as a spokesperson, motivational speaker and Ambassador for cancer-related causes. 

Christine travels on a national level speaking to wide audiences not just about her journey, but also about the importance of walking through life with people that will carry you forward through the good, the bad and the in-between. "We truly are who we surround ourselves with and because of that we must choose wisely our friends and companions. My motto is that there is purpose in pain, but it’s a choice to use it to help others. My book is now in its second publishing and I have another novel on the way," said Christine Handy. 

The model and best-selling author specializes in speaking about being unstoppable, social justice, equality, and about empowering people. Christine has recently collaborated with another speaker and author to go on the road and fight for social justice and help bridge the gap between different cultures, races and genders; this collaboration truly sets Christine apart from other public speakers.

Her story has been featured in many prestigious publications, she has also been featured as a breast cancer advocate and expert on Fox News Radio. Christine has two amazing sons whose devotion through all her illnesses continues to humble and astound her. Christine’s family has been a rock, a comfort, and a blessing during hard times. In the immortal words of Princess Diana, “Family is the most important thing in the world.” 

Christine Handy resides in Miami, Florida. She is an avid writer, her sequel to Walk Beside Me is on the way and very different than the first, it’s the “after-illness life”, very dramatic and “full of life”, a real page turner. Christine speaks Nationally about her books and on empowering women and other topics such as bullying and how to be unstoppable. Learn more about the extraordinary, inspirational and unquenchable Christine Handy at www.christinehandy.com or www.walkbesideme.net. For media inquiries, to schedule an interview, book a public speaking engagement or receive additional information, please email: theproperpress@gmail.com

The 7th Art Festival of Miami 2018

The 7th Art Festival of Miami 2018 on Sunday, October 21st from 1 – 6:30pm join us at The 7th Art Festival of Miami by Kingston5 Productions, offering opportunities to film students and emerging filmmakers from around the world.

The competition will provide an opportunity for filmmakers to connect with Film Festival and Marketplace attendees. Accepted competition films will have an opportunity to have their short film and documentary film screened.

Mingle, network and meet cool creatives. Purchase TICKETS. Still accepting film submissions at: www.withoutabox.com

'Walk Beside Me' is an Extraordinary Novel and Human Experience about Cancer, Illness, and the Power of Friendship, Prayer and Hope, by Author, Speaker and Survivor Christine Handy

Walk Beside Me is a novel about cancer, illness, and the power of friendship, prayer, and hope — but it’s about so much more than that. Willow Adair could be anyone — your sister, your mother, your best friend, yourself — and sometimes only by reading fiction do we allow the deepest truths of human experience to wash over us like warm summer rain. Walk Beside Me, by Christine Handy became a national best seller in April, 2016.

Christine Handy: Speaker + Author + Survivor

ABOUT THE NOVEL

Willow Adair has a picture-perfect life — or so it seems. A stunning model-turned-wife-and-mother, she lives in a beautiful home with her husband and two kids in historic Bexley, one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio. On the outside, she has everything. On the inside, she struggles with issues of self-worth. Spurned by her neglectful husband and hated by her rebellious teen daughter, Willow never feels she is good enough. She fears everyone she loves will leave. Piece by piece, the cornerstones of Willow's life begin to crumble. A routine colon operation goes horribly wrong. A yoga injury leads to a series of surgeries and misdiagnoses, ultimately ending in permanent loss of motion in her right arm. And then Willow is diagnosed with breast cancer. Convinced that no one will stand by her for one more day of sickness and depression, she prepares to end her life. That's where the Angels come in. Willow's friends lift her spirits when she is sad, and weep with her when she is hurting. They walk beside her quite literally, on sidewalks from Cleveland to Miami. And they walk beside her spiritually and emotionally, soothing her heartache and reminding her that every single minute of her life is abundantly worth living. Walk Beside Me is the story of a woman who peels away the layers to find her inner warrior, a woman who faces insurmountable odds and — thanks to her earthly Angels — learns to treasure the gift of God's infinite light and love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christine Handy is a mother, and breast cancer survivor living in Miami, Florida. On May 1, 2016 Christine released her first book Walk Beside Me, a fictional depiction of her illness and her long road to recovery.

Christine Handy at a Book Signing. Image Credit: Matt Roy, Karlo Gomez

An accomplished model in both the national and international sphere, Christine began modeling at the tender age of 11 in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Through her career, she has done campaigns for notable brands including Guess, J. Crew, JC Penney, Bud Light, Pepsi, Petco and Target. Modeling up until her cancer diagnosis, Christine now aims to serve as a spokesperson, speaker and Ambassador for cancer-related causes. Her story has been featured in many prestigious publications including American Volksport Association Magazine, Healing Touch, Town & Style, Edge Magazine, Inner Realm Magazine, The Art of Healing; Kindred Spirit Magazine, and Outreach Magazine. Christine has also been featured as a breast cancer advocate and expert on Fox News Radio. Christine has two amazing sons whose devotion through all her illnesses continues to humble and astound her. Christine’s family has been a rock, a comfort, and a blessing during hard times. In the immortal words of Princess Diana, “Family is the most important thing in the world.”

Contemporary Glass Artist Abby Modell

Abby Modell creates exquisite, hand blown, contemporary art glass, striving to create a harmonious interaction and reaction between color and glass. 

Modell’s style is recognized around the world with works in private homes and corporate collections throughout the United States, including the world headquarters of Morgan Stanley in New York, New York and in the permanent collection at the Fontainebleau Hotel on Miami Beach. And most recently the Royal Caribbean, Symphony of the Seas, Sculpture collection. She has also been exhibiting in several tradeshows and galleries.

You can experience Modell's current exhibit in Philadelphia at the National Liberty Museum's 'SpaceLab: An Interstellar Exhibit of Glass Art' - the exhibition opened July 6th and on view through September 7th, 2018.

The exhibition features Abby Modell's 'Galaxy Collection' showcasing her three dimensional wall art and large sculptural objects. Focusing on transparencies and refracted light, Modell creates work that is inspired by the natural swirling formations of the stars, planets and the infinite dimension of the night sky.GALLERY 

EDUCATION:

2006 Michael Davis Glass Studio, New York, NY (current)

1976 Syracuse University and Parsons School of Design, BFA

Frost Art Museum: MakerSPACE Workshop

Enjoy an Art Workshop at the Frost Art Museum Saturday, August 25th from 10:30am – 2:00pm join us at the Patricia & Philip Frost Art Museum for MakerSPACE Workshop and meet artist Pepe Mar, featured in the exhibition Deconstruction: A reordering of life, politics, and art. Mar will discuss his creative process as well as present a stunning new installation titled, Varla TV, featured in the exhibition. This artwork is mixed media and incorporates fabric, a collage, and paintings by Varla aka Craig Coleman. Following the gallery talk, guests will create their own works of art inspired by Mar’s artistic practice. This event is free and open to the public. RSVP here.