On Saturday, Feb. 12, Miguel Paredes celebrated the opening of his new gallery during Wynwood’s 2nd Saturdays Art Walk. The gallery’s opening was an enormous success, packed with art enthusiasts, VIPs, and invited guests. The night featured complimentary cocktails and drinks via Bombay Sapphire, Appleton Rum, Bacardi, and Heineken. Guests also enjoyed complimentary hor d’oeuvres provided by Vinyl & Kai, Miss Yip, the National Hotel Miami Beach, Kind Healthy Snacks, and Sweet Street desserts.  Energetic lounge beats filled the bustling room thanks to DJ Sam Popat and DJ Ari X. Meanwhile, VIP guests enjoyed a private roped-off area with seating and exclusive bar service. Noted guests included Antonio Marion, Jeff Vaughan, Nolan Carroll of the Miami Dolphins, and Chandler Williams of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Miguel Paredes’ art combines bold colors, 3D elements, graphic prints, and unique characters to create eye-catching whimsical pieces. As a New York native, Paredes also pays homage to his beloved city via his artistic creations. Works throughout the gallery featured subway signs and rails, graffiti, metallic garbage cans, and mischievous street children. One piece even highlighted New York’s famous Gray’s Papaya Hotdogs. The VIP area was held inside Paredes’ Brownstown Lounge, an intricately crafted, 3D mural-wrapped room. Local interior designer and 3D specialist Jeff Vaughn, as well as Broadway designer and producer Antonio Marion, collaborated on the impressive lounge space. The room is a tribute to the street and building Paredes grew up in; here he pays particular attention to the sights and textures of a New York City Brownstone neighborhood. The windows give sight to life-like rooms with antique televisions and walls covered in aged wallpaper. Look up, and sets of laced sneakers hang from the galleries ceilings while guests sit on the Brownstone’s stoop. The space wonderfully succeeds in transporting its guests into another time and space.

Paredes Fine Arts Studio; 173 NW 23rd St. Miami, FL. 33127; www.miguelparedes.com

Like Haute Living South Florida? Join our Facebook page or  follow us on Twitter @HauteLivingFL. Want Haute Living South Florida delivered to your inbox once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.