Art is woven into the fabric of Greater Miami & Miami Beach, a dynamic hub of cultural innovation where creativity thrives. This vibrant destination has become a magnet for locals and visitors seeking both renowned and emerging talent. Miami’s art scene has increasingly embraced its diverse queer community, fostering a more-inclusive space for LGBTQ+ artists. Highlights like Art Gaysel at Hôtel Gaythering – now a Miami Art Week favorite – and esteemed venues like the Rubell Museum, The Bass, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, YoungArts Gallery and Locust Projects celebrate queer voices year-round.

We connected with local queer artists to explore how Miami shapes their work and inspires their creative journeys.

Textured starfish sculptures underwater — Discover the "Miami Reef Star," Photo by The ReefLine

Carlos Betancourt: Telling Stories Through Art

Carlos Betancourt, a celebrated multidisciplinary artist, continues to captivate Miami with his inventive approach to art and storytelling. During Miami Art Week in December 2024, Betancourt collaborated with architect Alberto Latorre to unveil “Miami Reef Star,” a 60-foot installation composed of 46 textured star sculptures. The piece resembles a monumental sandcastle and serves as a prototype for a larger underwater iteration for The ReefLine. Betancourt’s work explores themes of memory, nature and identity, blending his personal experiences with broader cultural narratives.

“Ultimately, I am a storyteller, and I like my artwork to have poetry, mystery, energy and magic,” he said. Miami has been a cornerstone of his career, and he remains deeply committed to the city’s creative ecosystem. “Miami is fascinating. Visiting artist studios is one of the best ways to experience the city’s vibrant and diverse arts community.”

Rev. Houston R. Cypress, Otter Clan: Helping People Connect Through Art

Rev. Houston R. Cypress, a proud member of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the Otter Clan, is a queer poet, artist, environmental activist and ordained minister whose work bridges identity, community and the natural world. Cypress leads the Love the Everglades Movement, which fosters awareness and action to restore this vital ecosystem.

“I want to create community and encourage conversation and help people connect with the natural world, especially places throughout the Greater Everglades,” he said.

Cypress celebrates his Two-Spirit, queer and Miccosukee identities through mixed-media artistry, including poetry, photography and video.

“Being Two-Spirit, queer, gay, and Miccosukee definitely influences my art,” he said. “It allows me to transform trauma and celebrate the beauty of who I am.”

GeoVanna Gonzalez: Sculpting Miami’s Identity

GeoVanna Gonzalez is a Miami-based sculptor and curator whose work intertwines themes of identity, community and the intersections of natural and human-made environments. In 2024, she unveiled “Flowing Pathways,” an architectural installation as part of the Museum of Art and Design at Miami Dade College’s MOAD Pavilions public art series. Beyond her sculptural work, Gonzalez fosters artistic dialogue through Supplement Projects, an alternative art space in Little Haiti, and cofounded Read What You Want!, a performative reading club. Splitting her time between Miami and Berlin, Germany, Gonzalez creates elegant works using materials like aluminum and acrylic paint.

“Being queer is part of my identity, and my identity is inevitably embedded in my work,” she said. Her art is inspired by personal experiences, architecture and her vibrant community. “Miami has an amazing community of artists and thinkers, and it’s important for them to receive support to sustain their practices here.”

Ali X Miranda: Artistic Photography With A Queer Focus

Born in Cuba, Miami-based artist Ali X Miranda has gained international recognition for his evocative and distinctly queer art. Working primarily with photography and video, Miranda’s striking erotic nudes highlight male muscular forms, blending surrealism and expressionism.

“I believe everyone should support all communities regardless of gender, color and nationality. Art makes us free,” he said.

For those seeking to immerse themselves in Miami’s vibrant LGBTQ+ artistic community, Miranda recommends exploring brunches and cabarets featuring go-go boys at local spots that reflect the destination’s unique blend of creativity and culture. Through his lens, Miranda continues to push boundaries, offering provocative and liberating perspectives on identity and desire.

Najja Moon: Exploring The Intersections of Queer Identity & Black Culture

Najja Moon, a dynamic visual artist and cultural force, has been leaving her mark on Miami’s art scene since moving here in 2019. Moon’s work spans drawing, sculpture and public art, exploring the intersections of queer identity, Black culture and movement. Most recently in December 2024, she unveiled “Uncommon Routes,” a vibrant public art project at Legion Park’s basketball courts that highlights themes of community and collaboration. Her talent has garnered significant recognition, including a spot on OutSFL’s inaugural “OUT & PROUD 50” list in 2023, as well as the prestigious Art on the Plaza commission from the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami in 2021. Moon also cofounded BLCK Family, a collective fostering community through culinary and performing arts. Her work continues to connect people and cultures, enriching Miami’s vibrant creative landscape.

Nestor Paz next to his art — Experience the surreal art of Nestor Paz

Nestor Paz: A Vibrant Photographic & Artistic Window To The World

Nestor Paz is a Venezuelan artist whose vibrant, emotive works have earned him recognition across the Americas and Europe. Based in the U.S. since 2003, Paz draws from his roots to create a unique blend of abstract expressionism and what he terms “neo-cubism.” His art, characterized by strong lines and vivid colors, explores the intersection of balance and imbalance, figuration and abstraction, inviting viewers into surrealistic landscapes and evocative human forms. Paz has exhibited widely, from Miami and New York to Florence, Italy, where his career continues to flourish. As he puts it, “I need to paint to be alive; it’s stronger than me.” In 2024, he was selected by the Kimpton EPIC Hotel in Downtown Miami for it Artist in Residency Program, dubbed EPIC Art, which showcased his work on the hotel’s 16th floor.

José Rafael Perozo — Immerse yourself in Jose Rafael Perozo's dynamic and authentic queer art

Jose Rafael Perozo: Vividly Expressing His Queer Self

“The queer will always be present in my work because I am queer,” said Jose Rafael Perozo, a Venezuelan-born mixed-media artist now based in Miami. Perozo’s deeply personal creations are autobiographical, drawing from his experiences and relationships.

“My work evolves with the medium I’m using,” he explained. “I create everything from drawings to videos, as well as embroidery, painting and photography."

When he’s not immersed in his art, Perozo finds inspiration along Miami’s beaches and in its renowned art institutions.

“Miami has incredible collections,” he said, expressing his admiration for the Rubell Museum, among others. Perozo’s versatile practice and connection to Miami’s vibrant art scene resonate with authenticity and introspection.

Facundo Yebne poses by his art — Be mesmerized by the interplay of light and art in Facundo Yebne's pieces

Facundo Yebne: Creator Inspired by Miami's Sunsets and Ocean

Facundo Yebne, the creative force behind FLY Miami Art, is an Argentina-born artist now based in Miami. Yebne, a successful entrepreneur with several thriving businesses, transitioned from the business world to the arts after studying under renowned master painter Jack Amoroso, whose mentorship ignited his passion for visual expression. Yebne's work is characterized by vibrant mosaics crafted from tiny resin rubber ducks, a playful yet thought-provoking motif. His pieces often blend pop culture with a critique of consumerism and modern society. Through his art, Yebne invites viewers to explore their connections to mass-produced imagery and the meanings they hold in contemporary life.

"Living in Miami, with its thriving queer culture and creative energy, pushes me to explore new possibilities while staying grounded in themes of joy, resilience, and connection. The city’s spirit inspires me to craft art that not only reflects its vibrancy but also resonates with people on a deeply personal level."

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