By Marlene Jozdani, Art Journalist December 5, 2025

MIAMI BEACH, FL – As the doors swing open on the first public day of Art Basel Miami Beach 2025, the Miami Beach Convention Center buzzes with an electric energy that only this premier art fair can muster. I’m Mary Thompson, reporting live from the heart of the action for the International Association of Fine Art (IAFA), based in Miramar Beach, Florida. Dedicated to championing modern and contemporary fine art through exhibitions, collections, and education, IAFA is thrilled to immerse itself in this global spectacle. With over 283 galleries from 43 countries and territories showcasing thousands of artists, this year’s edition is a testament to art’s power to bridge cultures, challenge norms, and ignite conversations.

The fair, running from December 5 to 7, kicked off with VIP previews earlier this week, drawing collectors, curators, and celebrities alike. I’ve been weaving through the aisles, witnessing firsthand the diverse array of works that span from historical masterpieces to cutting-edge innovations. The sheer scale is staggering: 283 premier galleries representing regions from Europe and Asia to Africa and Latin America, with a strong emphasis on emerging voices and underrepresented narratives.

Newcomers and International Flair Steal the Spotlight

This year’s lineup shines with fresh faces, underscoring Art Basel’s commitment to inclusivity. For the first time, El Apartamento from Havana, Cuba, brings Afro-Cuban perspectives to the forefront, while Mexico City’s Lodos and Proyecto Nasal push experimental boundaries. From South America, galleries like Galeria Mapa in São Paulo and Crisis in Lima add vibrant Latin flavors. North American debuts include San Francisco’s Rebecca Camacho Presents and New York’s Margot Samel, alongside Ukraine’s Voloshyn Gallery, marking a poignant moment of cultural resilience.

Veteran participants aren’t resting on their laurels either. Powerhouses like Hauser & Wirth present modern masters such as Louise Bourgeois and Pablo Picasso, while Petzel Gallery unveils new works by Tschabalala Self, including her introspective painting *Reverie*. As I chatted with gallery representatives, the theme of cultural fusion emerged repeatedly, with artists exploring identity, colonialism, and technology’s role in society.

Sectors Bursting with Innovation

Navigating the fair’s specialized sectors feels like embarking on a worldwide art odyssey:

Galleries Sector: The core of the event, featuring established dealers with everything from Olafur Eliasson’s cosmic installations to Lois Dodd’s intimate night scenes.

Nova Sector: Highlighting recent works, standouts include Akeem Smith’s scratch-off paintings at Heidi gallery, drawing from Caribbean Dancehall culture, and ethereal watercolors by Cartwright at Welancora Gallery.

Positions Sector: Solo shows dominate here, with Josèfa Ntjam’s photomontages at Nicoletti probing colonial legacies, and Aleksandra Waliszewska’s surreal pieces at Galeria Dawid Radziszewski.

Survey Sector: A nod to history, featuring Pat Oleszko’s playful 1995 inflatable installation and underrecognized Chinese-American artists at Alisan Fine Arts.

The Meridians sector, curated for large-scale works, is abuzz with newcomers. As one curator told me, “For many galleries and artists, this is their entryway into the fair.” A standout is Beeple’s provocative Regular Animals, where robot dogs donning masks of tech titans like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg “poop” out digital art prints – a satirical jab at billionaire influence in culture.

Celebrity Sightings and Real-Time Buzz

The glamour quotient is high, with stars like Rihanna and A$AP Rocky spotted mingling amid the artworks last night. Social media is alight with shares: Nguyen Wahed gallery’s booth featuring digital artists like XCOPYART, and Fellowship’s AI-driven Kinder Scout by Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst, exploring novelty in generative art. Even immersive pieces like Jesús Rafael Soto’s Penetrable at Galería RGR invite visitors to step inside the art.

The 2025 Art Basel Awards Gold Medalists, including Cecilia Vicuña and Nairy Baghramian, were honored today, celebrating their boundary-pushing contributions. Events extend beyond the convention center, with side shows like Art Deco fashion at the Gates Hotel and digital exhibits featuring photographers like MONDO PARIS.

IAFA’s Take: Fostering Connections in Florida’s Backyard

From IAFA’s vantage point, this fair is more than an event – it’s a catalyst for local and global dialogue. Our Florida roots make us proud to support such initiatives, encouraging artists to draw from international inspirations. As I wrap up my first day of coverage, the fair’s accessibility stands out; even with crowds, provisions like mobility aids from groups like Special Needs Group ensure inclusivity.

Art Basel Miami Beach 2025 is in full swing, drawing over 80,000 visitors and injecting creativity into the city. Stay tuned for more dispatches from the floor – follow IAFA on Facebook at facebook.com/IAFAfdn for updates. In a world of division, art reminds us of our shared humanity.