Art Fort Lauderdale: Where Waterfront Homes and Art Collide

By Christie Galeano

Elevating Greater Fort Lauderdale’s art scene, this unrivaled art fair encompasses and spotlights the area’s best features. Our waterfront multimillion-dollar homes set the scene and play gallery hosts to the artwork on display at this year’s Art Fort Lauderdale. And thanks to our glistening canals, guests get to trade in their cars for complimentary water taxis that glide along the Intracoastal Waterway from home to home. Sitting there and enjoying the spectacular and sunny views of Fort Lauderdale’s scenery is just an added perk to the entire experience.

All Aboard

From January 23-26, the public art fair will host more than 130 artists exhibiting more than 300 works of art. The main entrance (aka loading dock) to the fair is located at Pier Sixty Six Hotel & Marina's dock. Parking at the marina is $5. Once you’ve parked, board a water taxi and be on your way to the first of three mansions, each exhibiting a gallery of art.

The recommended time to allot to your art experience is between three to four hours. As a tip, the water taxis will arrive at the marina and to each of the homes about every 45 minutes. However, there’s no rush. If you’re enthralled by the art at one home, feel free to stay as long as you like!

Galleries & Artwork

A new initiative this year is artBAHAMAS, where a charming Key West-inspired home will feature contemporary art focused on Junkanoo and Caribbean culture with portions of the sale proceeds benefiting Bahamian charities.

artINDIE will spotlight independent artists across a variety of mediums including paintings, sculptures, photography, installations, and more. This experience is hosted in two home galleries: an expansive 12,600-square-foot, $8.3-million home and a contemporary $6.3-million home.

A Little History

Established in 2017 by two local art enthusiasts, Andrew Martineau and Evan Snow, this art fair on the water debuted with 100 artists and 1,500 attendees. The entrepreneurial friends had a goal to spotlight Fort Lauderdale’s emerging art scene and distinguish it from its neighbor to the south. The following year, the fair added an Artist Talk Series and welcomed international artists from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Canada.

Fort Lauderdale Art & Design Week

With an urge to expand and be more inclusive, Fort Lauderdale Art & Design Week was created in 2019 with the fair as its grand finale. This allows Art Fort Lauderdale to partner with local art and culture organizations to put on several events for the community as listed below:

• ArtServe’s VIP Reception - Roots of the Spirit: Soulful Expressions of the African Diaspora – January 18
• Inaugural New River Fine Art Show – January 19
• Rob Pruitt's Flea Market at NSU Art Museum – January 18-19 with local artists selling their handmade creations
• New River Artist Cooperative Open Studio Night – January 21
• AIA Architecture Fair – January 21-25
• artDISCOURSE Series – January 23-25, panel and lecture series at GalleryONE featuring prominent leaders in the art world including artists, gallery owners, and museum co-founders
• After Party at The Wilder – January 23
• After Party at W Fort Lauderdale – January 24
• Intentions Crystal Art workshop – January 24
• Conversations with Collectors: Art Hotels at NSU Art Museum – January 25

Any many more events!

Schedule & Tickets

The fair’s schedule is as follows:
 
VIP Opening Reception Party
Wednesday, January 22, 7-10 p.m.
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
$150

Public Days

Thursday, January 23; 12 – 6 p.m. (Last boat leaves Pier 66 Hotel & Marina at 2 p.m.)

Friday, January 24; 12 – 8 p.m. (Last boat leaves Pier 66 Hotel & Marina at 5 p.m.)

Saturday, January 25; 12 – 8 p.m. (Last boat leaves Pier 66 Hotel & Marina at 5 p.m.)

Sunday, January 26; 12 – 6 p.m. (Last boat leaves Pier 66 Hotel & Marina at 2 p.m.)

Single-day tickets for any of the days listed above are $100 and include water taxi transportation. Multi-day tickets for the entire fair are $150.

If you would like to attend the fair on your own boat, it must be under 42 feet with its own captain and can only drop guests off. It cannot dock at any of the homes. The ticket price is $75 if purchased online or $85 if purchased at the marina.

A Few More Tips

Food will only be available to purchase at Pier Sixty-Six. However, wine and beer will be available onboard the Water Taxi.

If you need special assistance, please contact the organizers ahead of time to make arrangements.

Personal photography is allowed. Drones are not.

Pets are not permitted unless they are a certified service animal for guests with a disability.

Smoking is not permitted at any of the homes.

One bag per person. Backpacks, suitcases, and trolley bags will not be permitted.