When it comes to art and culture, Miami is pretty hard to beat. There’s never a shortage of things to see, with Art Basel making its art-fueled run every year and colorful murals stretching on for blocks in Wynwood. There’s also a number of museums packed with exhibits, both ongoing and temporary, that prove the city to be an art lover’s paradise.
As always, we’ve got you so here are some of the most unique exhibitions taking place in Miami that you simply cannot miss!
1. Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Imagine being able to actually step into famous paintings like Sunflowers, Starry Night and Almond Blossom in a way that you never have. At this mesmerizing Vincent Van Gogh exhibit taking over the historic Olympia Theater, you can! Visitors of this experience will see every detail of the legendary Dutch painter’s prolific work through its use of 360-degree digital projections, and learn everything there is to know about the artist. Click here to get your tickets.
Where: 174 E Flagler St, Miami, FL 33131
When: Ongoing
2. Pulse Topology
With 3,000 lightbulbs on display, you do not want to miss this installation by Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer at Superblue. Each lightbulb, suspended at a different height, flickers to the heartbeat of different participants. As you walk through the pulsing glows, sensors record new pulses to replace the old ones, creating an immersive chorus of light and sound. Snag tickets here!
Where: 1101 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL 33127
When: Until August 2023
3. Leandro Erlich: Liminal
If you haven’t paid a visit to Pérez Art Museum lately, then this is your sign to do so! There’s a fascinating exhibition that features 16 iconic artworks by Argentine artist Leandro Erlich, spanning more than two decades. Each piece has you questioning your perception of reality, with a popular one being ‘Swimming Pool.’ It may appear like a regular swimming pool, but you can view it (or interact with it) from above or “underwater.”
Where: 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
When: Until September 4
4. Yayoi Kusama: LOVE IS CALLING
If you can’t get enough of Kusama’s work, marvel at “Love Is Calling,” now on display at the Pérez Art Museum. The installation first premiered in Japan in 2013 and is considered to be “the most immersive and kaleidoscopic of the artist’s Infinity Mirror Rooms.” Covered in the artist’s characteristic polka dots, tentacle-like sculptures hang from the floor and ceiling, as mirrored walls create an infinite space in the room.
Where: 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
When: Until February 11, 2024
5. Mummies of the World
Said to be what is the largest touring collection of mummified remains and related artifacts ever assembled is arriving at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. It will feature remains of 40 real humans and animals and 80 rare artifacts from across the globe, including Europe, South America and Ancient Egypt. This compelling collection, presented with reverence and dignity, will enthrall with dramatic displays of the mummies and their personal stories.
Where: 1101 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
When: Until September 4
6. Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids
Come face to face with a 17 foot-long dragon, a giant Kraken with 12 foot-long tentacles and a 10-foot unicorn at HistoryMiami Museum’s newest exhibit, opening Saturday, July 8. Hailing all the way from the American Museum of Natural History in New York, you’ll learn all about the natural and cultural roots of some of the world’s most enduring otherworldly creatures from Asia, Europe, the Americas and beyond. There will also be a local component, Mythic Miami, where you’ll learn the stories behind Puerto Rico’s Chupacabra and South Florida’s own SkunkApe.
Where: 101 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33130
When: Until March 31, 2024
7. Lonnie Holley: If You Really Knew
Stepping into the Museum of Contemporary Art, you’ll find “Lonnie Holley: If You Really Knew”, an exhibition providing an intimate and focused look at the career of Birmingham-born artist and musician Lonnie Holley. Ccurated by Adeze Wilford, it features 70 works including “sandstone” sculptures, new works on paper and large-scale quilt paintings that depict faces.
Where: 770 NE 125th St, North Miami, FL 33161
When: Until October 1
8. Underwater Worlds
While not exactly a museum, a new contemporary art exhibition has touched down at Hyde Midtown’s lobby lounge. Underwater Worlds, in partnership with Manolis Projects, explores the mysteries of life beyond the shoreline and is inspired by the fragility of Miami’s marine environments. Open daily to the public, the exhibit showcases captivating works by local and internationally-acclaimed artists, including mesmerizing surf photography by Juan Lamarca, gilded oceanic sculptures by Hamilton Aguiar, a vibrant collage inspired by Roy Lichtenstein and more.
Where: 101 NE 34th St, Miami, FL 33137
When: Ongoing
9. Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Room and Narcissus Garden
Immerse yourself in not one, but three of Yayoi Kusama’s celebrated installations! The Rubell Museum features two of Yayoi Kusama’s kaleidoscopic Infinity Mirror Rooms — “Where the Lights in My Heart Go” and “Let’s Survive Forever” — both of which give visitors the feeling of being in a seemingly endless space. Additionally, you’ll find her eye-catching “Narcissus Garden” before leaving with great photos and a greater appreciation for Kusama’s work!
Where: 1100 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL 33127
When: Ongoing