In an effort to revitalize a Miami warehouse district, Wynwood Walls became the project of the late neighborhood restorer Tony Goldman. His idea was to resuscitate Wynwood by bringing the under recognized art form of graffiti and street art to its warehouse walls. The idea brought to life this Miami neighborhood, making it one of the most visited by tourists and natives alike, and a haven for artists worldwide.
Walking the streets of this urban outdoor art gallery is a visual treat. One of my favorite murals reminded me of one of my favorite cities, New York. I later learned that the scene is a NY scene created by Brooklyn, NY native Logan Hicks. Hicks creates his murals from templates based on his photographs. The end result is a mural which makes you want to jump into that city scene.
If you build it, they will come. Art revived a dying neighborhood, and with the art came trendy eateries, shops, and micro-breweries making Wynwood one of the hippest places to visit in Miami. While running from a downpour, we came across a restaurant opened just three months ago Kyu, a modern Asian fusion eatery. We had some interesting and delicious appetizers–pork belly on a steamed bun, soft shell crab on steamed bun, roasted cauliflower and goat cheese, and spicy Korean fried chicken. The environment is relaxed, with an organic industrial vibe.
If walls could talk! The walls of Wynwood speak volumes. Stories of love, despair, happiness, sex, war, life, passion fill every corner of these streets.
We especially enjoyed the messages right at our feet. Words stamped in concrete, some inspirational, some political, some purely whimsical.
It took the vision of one man to completely transform a decaying neighborhood. Makes you think how much one person can inspire change. Whenever you think, I’m only one person, what can I do?, think again.
Road Drifters 