RAILROAD ARTS: New to the ever growing Miami art scene

Many businessmen buy some art and help artist, while others go to fancy art events. The fact is Miami is fast becoming a major burgeoning art town. Throughout the year South Florida has monthly art walks in Wynwood, Little Havana and Coral Gables. We also anticipate our yearly art fairs week, Art Basel, Art Miami, Scope, and others. Finally, the art patrons that see beyond the regular offerings of art.

Meet Dennis Peters, a true believer in arts, opens his warehouse space in the Little River area, just north of the Design District, dedicated to artist only. Railroad Arts, founded in May of 2008, is newly renovated, 27,412 square foot warehouse divided into 13 different artist spaces. The venue already houses artist Herman Felif Kaizedo, Stephan von Fouts, Shie Moreno and conceptual set designer Andy Kostas.

As part of the official inauguration of the locale, Peters has created The Miami Art Idol, a contest where ten students from the Miami Art Institute and ten students from New World School of the Arts will each submit one piece of art to be juried by a distinguised panel including pop artist Romero Britto, celebrity shoe designer Donald J. Pliner, among others. The winner will be awarded a free studio space at Railroad Arts for one year.

Check out Check out Railroad Artist site for more information.

The Wizard of OZ comes to the Miami Children's Museum

PHOTO BY MANNY HERNANDEZ
In commeration of the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz and in conjunction with Warner Bros., the Miami Children's Museum hosted The Inspiration of Oz Fine Art and The Ruby Red Slipper Collections reception and exhibit. Among the guest, artist Romero Britto, as his art is part of The Wizard of Oz Inspirations of Oz Fine Art, Yolanda and Jeff Berkowitz, Alejandro Aguirre, Warner Bros' Manager Worldwide Marketing Ariella Roberts, Donald and Lisa Pliner.

We are thrilled to bring The Wizard of Oz to the children and familes of Miami through the Inspiration of Oz Fine Art and Ruby Slipper Collection, said Deborah Spiegelman, CEO and Executive Director, Miami Children's Museum.

The Wizard of Oz Ruby Slipper Collection features the re-interpretations of Dorothy's iconic Ruby Slippers created by top fashion designers that included: A. Testoni, Abaete, Alberta Ferretti, Betsey Johnson, Botkier, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Manolo Blahnik, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Roger Vivier, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tibi, Tuleh and our very own Lisa Pliner. The collection first premiered in New York City this past September at Saks Fifth Avenue's gala for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Starr Pliner celebrates 4th birthday at Jungle Island

Starr Pliner, sporting a "No Autographs Please" t-shirt celebrated her 4th birthday at the Jungle Island on Watson island. Proud parent's Donald and Lisa Pliner joined Babydoll and Miami socialites Stephanie Sayfie-Aagaard with son's Anders and Austin, Mark and Allison Zhuk with Asher and Ariya, Alain and Jillian Altit-Jacobson with daughter Juliette, Marlem Pernetti with daughters' Tatiana and Katarina, and businessmanDennis Peters with daughter Veronica. Guest enjoyed the Jungle Island attractions, face painting, steel drum music and a private encounter with chimpanzees, a kangaroo, monkey, skunk, and a penguin. What a fun time. Guest were asked in lieu of gift that a donation be made to Peace for the Children.

The Forge Rings in 2008 in Celebrity Style

(PHOTOS BY MANNY HERNANDEZ FOR MHPIXS.com)
The Forge restaurant celebrated the New Year in style with family and friends and free flowing Veuve Clicquot. The evening began with a fabulous four course dinner created by James Beard award winning chef Andrew Swersky and dancing till sunrise with music from DJ Leonardo del Toro. In the main room, Forge owner Shareef Malnik hosted his table with family and friends including his father and founder of the Forge restaurant Alvin Malnik with his wife Nancy Malnik. Also enjoying the night Yaseem Malnik, Anwar Zayden, publicist Stacey Benedetti, shoe king and queen Donald and Lisa Pliner, Chicago Cub's Cliff Floyd, Amber Ridinger, Dacra's Craig Robins, Design Miami's Ambra Medda,
Haute Living magazine publisher Kamal Hotchandani, and actor Robert Downy, Jr.