PBT got the chance to meet Art Miami Director Nick Korniloff, this Tuesday, November the twenty-ninth, at the opening of the twenty-seventh edition of Art Miami. Here’s our conversation:

PBT: How’d you get started in the art world?

Nick: I’ve been involved in the South Florida Event Scene for a long, long, time. I used to be the facility manager at Miami Beach Convention Center where Art Miami used to take place. Circle now twenty-some years later and I’m one of the owners and directors of the fair. We saw a great opportunity when we bought the show to move it to the month of December to coincide with Art Basel, and the twenty other shows that come to the market.

We’re really known for bringing out the blue chip in contemporary and modern works for our top collectors to acquire, and we’ve had a great success at doing that. It’s our twenty-seventh edition, we’re not going anywhere, we’re the hometown fair, and we’re appreciative of everyone that comes out each year.

PBT: Art Miami is a staple.

Nick: Yeah, it’s a well recognized brand, there’s an expectation regarding the quality of the art and the amenities for the guests. That’s what we stand on, that we can always offer something fresh and new to the art market and collectors. They know that they can buy with confidence.

PBT: Any favorites this year?

Nick: Well, I love all my galleries. It’s a tough selection process. 800 galleries apply for 130 positions. We try to take the redundancy out of the fair, but we do have so many high quality galleries that participate in so many of the top international shows that there’s a little bit of a cross over on certain artists.

Whether they’re showing at the Whitney or the MoMA or other important international museums, you can find them at exhibit to acquire here [at Art Miami].

PBT: Thank you for taking the time with us Nick.

Art Miami is the longest running contemporary art fair in Miami. This year’s edition runs from November 29th to December 4th. Also be sure to check out sister fairs Context and Aqua.

David Collante – david@porkbellytimes.com

Steven D Morse – steven@porkbellytimes.com