The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne celebrated one of this year’s hottest art markets with a private pre-Art Basel soiree in honor of renowned artist, Carlos Estevez. Recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the leaders of the Cuban art movement, Estevez joined emcee Raul Gonzalez of Univision to unveil his newest, and largest, canvas work of his career: an 8-foot circular painting entitled “Inner Time,” which will remain in RUMBAR, the resort’s vintage Havana-style bar and lounge, until December 2010. On December 1st, more than 200 guests including the legendary “Queen of Bolero” and international film star Olga Guillot, Leslie Pantin of artèamericas, General Manager Derek Flint, Marco and Vanessa Selva and other VIPs enjoyed a lavish evening that recreated a glamorous scene of Old Havana as they enjoyed fine rums, Cuban-inspired fare and sounds of the seven-piece band Grupo Nostalgia. In addition, Estevez created an original, one-of-a-kind replica of his massive masterpiece, which was auctioned for $4,000 to benefit art programs through Friends of the Orphans, which supports nine Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos orphanages in Latin American and the Caribbean.

Pictured above: Paul Rubio, Lauren Lampa-Banchs, Gilda Dousset

Univision’s Raul Gonzalez and Michelle Payer

Mike & Carolina Valdes-Fauli, Dora Valdes-Fauli, Leslie Pantin of artèamericas

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