Monthly Art Walk Turns Into Circus
MIAMI (CBS4) – On the second Saturday each month crowds throng to Wynwood's Art Walk, but an event that once attracted art connoisseurs now attracts a different crowd.
"You got me, it's for the drinks," said one participant.
As a matter of tradition galleries participating in the event have served beer and wine, but the result has been a younger crowd that is more interested in the high than the art.
"They're not looking at the art (they're) coming here for the alcohol."
Bernice Steinbaum, gallery owner said "someone with too much to drink fell against a wall, broke a paper piece."
And the damage did not end there, she said.
"Someone chose to graffiti in the bathroom," Steinbaum said.
Most of the art pieces on display are one-of-a-kind and worth thousands. Once damaged, there is no way to repair it or replace it, Steinbaum said.
But painter Roland Ruocco said, he would rather have the crowd, drunk or not.
"I haven't really seen it as a problem," he said.
One gallery owner said she hoped education can solve the problem, but said that Wynwood Art Galleries may soon have to stop serving booze a double-edged sword.
"That's just crazy or else I wouldn't even be here, sorry to say," said event enthusiast Adam Keith.
One way galleries are combating the drinking problems is by shutting their doors early at 9 pm instead of the traditional 11 pm.
