Wynwood was originally an industrial district with abandoned warehouses and neglected buildings. However, a group of visionary artists recognized the potential of this overlooked area and began transforming it into a haven for creativity.
These artists, often referred to as the pioneers of the Wynwood artist revolution, utilized various mediums such as graffiti, murals and street art to change the neighborhood.
By the 1990s, Wynwood had become a thriving artistic community, filled with galleries, art studios and alternative exhibition spaces.
Hector Andrade, a street artist, said “When I started doing graffiti in the 80s it was very much underground and not understood or appreciated by the public. There was no social media or internet. No way for things to go viral right away and become so commercialized.”
As the neighborhood continues to evolve, the Wynwood revolution serves as an example of the transformative potential of art on a local and global scale.
