A pop up art gallery in the sky

Open a Pop-up Gallery. Throw a Party.  Sell a Condo.

“Pop-up” galleries and exhibits of all kinds have become a popular concept in Miami. Temporary art galleries can “pop up” in diverse available spaces, wherever they may be found, sometimes quite unexpectedly, sometimes delightfully.

Local Coconut Grove artists Jake Johnson and Peter Johann Studl took a tired 18th floor oceanfront residential condo “with great bones” and repurposed it as an exciting, eclectic art gallery. After several coats of ultra-white paint and a deep cleaning, the space glows like an upscale art gallery...in the sky. 

 

At left, “Self-portrait with a Collection of Geometric Solids” by Jake Johnson and “The Beach” by Peter Studl at right. “It's a perfect way to position and showcase the vacant condo as an elegant art space with great views and light, without the cost, clutter and uncertainty of bringing in staging furniture,” said Studl.  “We are working on installing this concept in other listed properties. It is a win-win for the artists and the property owners and really lights up the property in an exciting way.”

Daniela Luna and friend, Mauro, enjoy Jake Johnson's painting “Yes, Mr. President," at left. At right: Artist Eileen Seitz guides visitors through the gallery. The collection features three distinct colorful contemporary styles to round out the gallery offering.  

Besides their own works, the artist-curators invited the venerable Coconut Grove artist, Eileen Seitz to add her colorful tropical works to the exhibition. Some of  Ms. Seitz' works are traveling later this month to the Coral Springs Museum of Art.  Johnson exhibited his “Heros” themed works and others at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery earlier this year.  Austrian born Studl is the owner of Grove Art Gallery, formerly on Bird Ave in the Grove.  

Besides being artists and curators, Studl and Johnson are Realtors with Coldwell Banker's Coconut Grove office.  The gallery condo is listed for sale. Above, Mauro, Daniela Luna, Jake Johnson, Beth Gaudio, Ron Gaudio enjoy the art and the views at the opening of the gallery

So what do you do after you paint, polish and install the art?  Throw an opening party and invite the neighbors, of course. Above Mauro, Daniela Luna, Chloe Johnson discuss Peter Studl's works with the artist.

"I love using the vacant or sparse condos as the galleries. The transformation was extraordinary. People enjoyed the opening with good engaging topical conversation. We are thinking of doing this as a service even for other Realtors, including painting out the space, providing and installing the art and providing brochures and promo material and managing the opening event. Each a unique gallery.

Story and photos by Peter Johann Studl