Wilton Manors, a once-sleepy island city that evolved into a worldwide mecca for LGBTQ nightlife, business and tourism, now also wants to be known for its arts and culture.
“Not only can you go to Wilton Manors as an LGBTQ+-identifying person to have fun and mingle with your friends over drinks and enjoy dancing at the club, but you can also come to Wilton Manors as an LGBTQ person and enjoy art and culture, as well,” says Jameer Baptiste, vice president of Wilton Manors Art District, comprised of 16 member galleries and three theaters all within the city limits.
Beginning Nov. 6, the District will present its first Wilton Manors Art Week – which this year will run four days, through Nov. 9.
“It’s something that we felt Wilton Manors needed in regard to really showcasing all of the galleries, studios, and artists that live and work and have businesses in Wilton Manors,” says Baptiste, who also is events division president for HOTSpots! Happening Out, a nonprofit LGBTQ+ events and media alliance in Wilton Manors.
Although most of the city’s galleries and theaters are located along busy Wilton Drive and North Dixie Highway, Baptiste says his group considers the entire 1.96-square-mile city an art district.
Photographer Matteo Trisolini, owner of Space Untitled gallery at 2422 N. Dixie Hwy., is board president of Wilton Manors Art District.
Nearly two years ago, Italian-born Trisolini relocated from New York to Wilton Manors. At the time, he was on a personal mission to “focus on myself, my mental health and my happiness.”
Trisolini, a gay dad with a 14-year-old daughter, declared he would make 2024 “the year of yes.”
After meeting and befriending artist Sherman Yee of Fierce Art Gallery Studio at 2424 N. Dixie Hwy., Trisolini began attending monthly art walks in the city.
“One day I told Sherman, ‘I have to apologize because every time I walk into your gallery, I do look at your art, but I’m looking at the space, and I feel great energy and I would love to have something like this,’” Trisolini recalls.
Trisolini’s gallery, Space Untitled at 2422 N. Dixie Hwy., also represents five other artists from South Florida, New York and Chile.
In addition, Trisolini sponsors free literati salons throughout the year.
Several authors will be participating in Art Week events, including writer Greg Lindeblom, who’ll read from his recent novel, The Only Farang in Town, on Nov. 7 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at ArtsUnited gallery, 2401 N. Dixie Hwy.
The official Art Week opening party takes place Nov. 6 at popular Hunter’s Nightclub, 2232–2238 Wilton Dr. The closing gala on Nov. 9 will be at the new nonprofit Gray Box Theater, a 236-seat concert and special events venue at 1444 N.E. 26th St.
