February 15, 2008

Art and Soul

Alt Space Art Gallery

In high school you were known for your amazing work with bubble letters.

Miami native Alex Yanes can relate, as he was notorious for drawing his marine biology teacher with the body of a seahorse. Science class sketches soon turned into success as he became one of the city’s top urban artists, and he’s now opened Alt Space Art Gallery.

The 1,000-square-foot space — which he shares with fellow creative spirits J. Bellicchi, a.k.a. FiftyThree, and iSoy! — sits inside CocoWalk (yes, CocoWalk) and features the trio’s colorful and distinctive work in a street-chic atmosphere: rustic black floors, hand-built crate walls, and a pink TV in the window, all to the tune of the Beastie Boys and old-school hip-hop. There’s also a sticker wall, where anyone can add a favorite artistic adhesive.

Sometimes it’s good to think outside the bubble.

Alt Space Art Gallery, 3015 Grand Avenue, suite 235, 2nd floor of CocoWalk, Coconut Grove (305-915-9904). Opening party, Friday, 8 p.m.-midnight.