Miami, Key West, etc.
Updated: Nov 8, 2025
In December 2023, we accompanied three members of Paco Art to CONTEXT art Miami / art Miami, where we compiled a video of the works exhibited and the works of Professor Akio Harada.
Paco started in 2016 with just me and Professor Harada, and we had five students at first. It was a very busy class with five students and two people, Professor Harada and me (lol). Professor Harada's works started to be sold overseas last year, and fans of Professor Harada's works all over the world are eagerly waiting for his new works (lol). He is so popular that for some reason I am proud of him too (lol).
In Miami, I was so moved to see foreigners being fascinated by Professor Harada's work that I still feel a deep emotion in my heart when I think back on it. This year, he has been creating solo exhibitions one after another nonstop, and the works that flow without stopping are amazing.
With Mr. Harada, we (two from the adult class) went to Miami to see murals and even went to Key West. I was planning to make a video of it, but I'll leave it as a record in photos. I added captions here and there.
The morning after arriving, I immediately went shopping. There is an enormous selection of cheeses alone. My eyes widen at the sight of foods I've never seen before. I got excited and bought a lot. The fridge is just like at home. Cooking meals together in the kitchen is the best. The in-room dining was plentiful. I had acai at this cafe first thing in the morning. Lots of interesting works A work that looks as if fruit is about to spill out at any moment. Her face is covered in paint, but she's beautiful I joined at the very back. Today I baked chicken in the oven. The older sister's outfit is flashy, lovely and free. A tribute to Girl with a Pearl Earring. Murals here and there Sunset from the hotel. The spare ribs were hot and it was a hassle to get them out. I want to eat this burger again. This hamburger. My uncle has been making them for a long time. Things like this bring you in from all over the city. I might even draw a face like this. It's huge! The island is made up of letters. 1UP! There are murals like this all over the place. There are murals all over the city. A dangling traffic light. Wynwood Walls I can't help but stare. Interaction between artists. There was a place where you could do spray art, so I tried it. Although it was my first time trying spray art, I struggled with the results. Paco also left his mark. Boom! It only left a mark for a few days. There is an older woman who keeps giving me instructions on how to pose, so I follow her instructions. Suddenly I was on the road. There are murals all the way to the alleys. On the roads too. A 4 hour bus ride to Key West. Mile Marker 0 The start and end of the longest highway in America At a bar in Key West. He waved me over. Hemingway's house. The six-toed cat at Hemingway House. Genetics is amazing. The southernmost point of America. Probably pointing to Japan. Whole Foods cake. Damn. Dinner with the owner of Signature Fine Art. I was also invited to his home. There were some paintings by Professor Harada. With a family who loves Japan. The whole house was like a gallery. It's been an interesting and exciting journey. Thank you, Professor Harada!
We decided on a hotel in the Wynwood area because we could walk to a lot of murals and it was not far from the art festival venue.
Miami itself seems to be a city that puts a lot of effort into art. There was news that the founder of Amazon was moving from Seattle to Miami, and if a lot of tax money comes in, things will be improved and the city may become even more interesting. There was no need to worry too much about safety, and for some reason the bus was free to ride (I still don't know why it's free :), so I took the bus every day to go shopping.
As this was Professor Harada's first overseas exhibition, I was able to go to Miami and participate in an art festival that brought together galleries from all over the world. It was a very valuable experience to be able to see the works of artists who are now successful as businesses in one place, and as a colleague, I am very proud that Professor Harada's work was included in that list, and we hope to continue supporting him in the future.
And! I want to go to Miami again this year if possible! :)