miami / miami

I’m always in the studio working on my new series, ‘Dreams & Reminiscing‘, it’s been a while since I’ve worked on a new series of art, but I’m feeling inspired and painting everyday creating a whole new collection of work.

Working primarily in india ink, oil paints and oil sticks, these new pieces shout out from the canvas in both vibrant color and abstract impression of my dreams and reminiscing of real people, places and things.

I was honored to participate in a great event for a wonderful cause on July 24, 2015 in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District, Art for Autism. I was invited to donate artwork for this event, which was organized and hosted by the American Autism Association. Twelve little gems from my Truck’N With Vito! series were donated and exhibited for this spectacular showcase held at the Pan American Art Projects gallery in Wynwood. The evening was dedicated to exhibiting the local, talented artists within the autism community, displaying their artwork alongside professional visual artists on the autism spectrum.

The mission of the American Autism Association is to help families through their journey as they raise a child with autism. The organization offers information, support for families, and free of cost recreational programs or workshops for families. I am happy that the proceeds from the artwork sales at Art for Autism benefit the local autism community, this is something that I truly care about. The American Autism Association was a great organization to work with, they thanked all those who were able to attend the Art for Autism event. Autistic artists from around the world were more than happy to display their hard work for the cause, and equally appreciate the support from our local and national communities. Overall Art for Autism was a success and we could not have done it without our amazing supporters and sponsors Wynwood Brewing, Insomnia Cookies, Sweet Jalane’s, and many more!

Thanks to the event, the American Autism Association will be able to fund two more recreational and therapy programs in South Miami and New York. These programs help to enrich the lives of autistic children in the area and provide support to families. If you are interested in attending, please email programs@myautism.org for any inquiries or more information. Please visit the website to learn about AAA’s recreational programs in Miami and New York here. You can see the photos from the event on AAA’s Facebook page here.  A huge thank you to Miami Art Scene™ who was integral for providing local, national and international coverage of the event. We were lucky to have caught the interest of numerous visual arts organizations and tons of media coverage. Check out more info about the event on WLRN Public Radio and Television, who picked up the story and helped us spread awareness. Read the amazing article here to find out more about the families, artists, and supporters who attended the event.

What a spectacular event in the Miami Downtown Arts District at McCormick Place, Autism Awareness Art Night was held on March 6, 2015 from 6-10pm in the heart of Downtown Miami. The event was hosted in collaboration with the University of Miami Center for Autism and Related Disabilities – (UM-NSU CARD), which is an organization that provides support and assistance with the goal of optimizing the potential of people with autism and related disabilities.

It was an awesome night of art, entertainment and festivities. Thank you to McCormick Place for such a successful event, also a very big thank you to Miami Art Scene™ for the strong media coverage and support! I attached some snippets from social media posts about the event –> “A recap of our March ‪#‎autismawareness‬ art night event here at‪#‎McCormickPlaceMiami‬!! Thank you to all participants! Maridith Imbasala @photographybypaloma Mariana Bara @madchillerworld @azucaricecream @ronbarcelo_rd, the UM Center for Autism and Related Disabilities and of course, @vitobonannoart!!” via McCormick Place on Instagram @mccormickplacemiami

‘What is AUTISM YOU + I? Autism You + I represents the image we at CARD have embraced as an organization since our inception in 1993.  Our mission is all about “You + I” and what we as families, friends and community partners can accomplish together to make our community a better, more inclusive place for people affected by autism and related disabilities. Together, You + I are making a difference every day in the lives of so many.’

My work is on display in Miami now through March 2015 at the uber cool McCormick Place in the Miami Downtown Arts District. I have (5) works hanging in the art gallery there and I’m very excited to have work showing in Miami for a 3-month long exhibit. McCormick Place is a multifaceted arts space located in the heart of Downtown Miami. The space consists of a gallery and special events space and also houses artist studios and creative start-ups throughout the building. The venue features indoor and outdoor areas for cocktail receptions, performances, and exhibitions.

The Downtown area is the Southern neighbor to Wynwood and has its own blossoming art district. Home to the Perez Art Museum, the Downtown art scene is a whole new look and feel of local artists with smaller galleries and venues, and the businesses that exhibit and support the arts such as the MegaYacht SeaFair docked in Downtown at Bayfront Park, 100 Chopin Plaza in Miami – the world’s first mobile megayacht venue and one of the ten largest privately owned yachts in the United States. Groundbreaking in scale, ingenuity and style, the yacht – which remains dockside during each event, pairs international fine art, jewelry and collectibles with dining and cocktails at Bayfront Park in Downtown, Miami. The SeaFair hosts the 6th Edition of MIA, the Miami International Art Fair from Jan.15-19, 2015.

When I toured the art gallery at McCormick Place, I loved hearing the story and history of the building and learning about how it all evolved. The original building I was told was constructed in 1924, and was first a US Customs Warehouse serving as storage of confiscated goods and look-out post for the nefarious characters coming into Miami via the Biscayne Bay and the Miami River. The property was purchased in 1970 by Edward J McCormick, Sr. and dedicated to his father, Dr. James McCormick. Now, three generations later, Sean McCormick is not only reviving this venue but the Downtown area, creating the epicenter for the cultural crossroads of Miami.

I am happy to have artwork on exhibit at the McCormick Place Art Gallery. My team and I are looking forward to the monthly Downtown Art Walks & Gallery Nights, hoping to make new friends in the Miami market, always open to new opportunities and of course acquiring new collectors.

The excitement was pretty intense for WallBrawl No.5 Art Basel Edition taking place in the heart of Coral Gables on Friday, December 5, 2014 to coincide with Gallery Walk and Giralda Under the Stars from 8 to 11pm. The WallBrawl crew reserved an outdoor space on Giralda Avenue between Ponce De Leon and Galiano St. (Street is closed to Traffic) at 150 Giralda Avenue in Coral Gables, Florida 33134.

The showdown for this edition was an impressive line-up of local, national and international artists. We unleashed our masterful skills for an epic art battle in Miami – from the 305 we had TeePop, Ill Surge, and Vago. Joining us from Orlando was NEHS, along with Tennessee-based BadPanda (Vince Herrera), plus myself, Vito Bonanno from NYC – and last but not least we had Salvador Gomez brawlin’ with us from Spain.

WallBrawl is the ultimate art competition, a local art event that pops up monthly at creative venues in Miami. The event is an exciting paint battle in the flesh, Artist vs Artist + Skill vs Skill + Technique vs Creativity plus Timed Performance with Audience Participation = Wall Brawl.