Faces were everywhere in paint, ink, kohl, water colors, thread and even burnt into wood. The faces were sketches of patrons turned art muses at the Sketchy Party 2 at the Bakehouse Art Complex, the perfect venue to the second edition of the Beached Miami event.
The Bakehouse Art Complex, or BAC, in the Wynwood Art District provides a dynamic and creative environment especially for emerging and mid-career artistes. The complex features 70 studios, full of talents, often inspiring each other , as well as galleries, photo lab, welding and wood work areas, a jewelry studio, project room and classroom. Patrons took over this space on Friday wanting to be immersed in some serious creative energy.
Beached Miami already had the concept right for Sketchy Party 1 at Lester’s (read about it right here on this blog, too) and they surely did it right again this time. The event was a great success with over 1000 art lovers passing through the studios and filling the corridors lined with more artists sketching away. Artists such as Kazilla, Jeiddy Lopez and Ximena Prugue Vallve had their pencils drawn. Carrie Sieh had her sewing machine ready again for some thready sketches while Kaelsie Saravia created portraits burnt into wood. Sketches and portraits were the most important but not the only art at the complex which had the studios open with many artists sketching as well as exhibiting their work. Juan Carlos Arena, Vince Herrera and Olivier Casse were amongst the Bakehouse artistes who had their doors open to a cool and diverse crowd that created a unique blend of Miami.
A truly special feature about the Sketchy Party was the feeling of community and family. Everyone was welcome and part of a creation process. Every face was uniquely beautiful and interesting. Every age group and background was welcome and no piece of jewelry was too crazy or any dress too boring. A 15 year old honed her sketching skills alongside a 90 year old artiste and who says one cannot incorporate toy giraffes into an outfit?
Everyone mixed and mingled and had a good time, enjoying beer, gourmet pizza from Joey’s (I say it again! Best pizza!) and a DJ spinning some world beat and house music on vinyl. Even with all the movement and energy the models held their positions in the name of art. Amongst those sketchy posers were fashion blogger Kelly Saks and sister Kathy Saks (Kathy’s Kakery), blogger Tammy and boyfriend Paul Isaac, lead singer of idie band People From Venus as well as Tigerlily Dream creator Yelsi Saravia and artist Julie Orsini Shaker.
The final highlight of a very creative evening was the raffle with prizes such as a goodie bag from Sweat Records and a pencil set from Pearl South Miami as well as original art by several BAC artistes such as Marcelo Daldoge, Irena Gapskovska and Olivier Casse, whose painting “The Girl With The Yellow Ring” now belongs to yours truly! (raffle ticket 612!)
