[/caption]

Believe it or not, Art Basel in Miami Beach is just around the corner and according to the Miami New Times, it’s going to be bigger, better, and more of a party than ever. But then again, what else would we expect from the art world rager that just keeps growing?

The paper is cautioning locals that every aspect of the art week is expanding this year, from Basel itself, which is up to 267 exhibitors, to the roster of satellite fairs, which will hit a whopping 18 fairs thanks to some first-time fairs including X Contemporary and, aptly-named, Satellite.

In addition to the overwhelming number of fairs, the city will play host to several museum openings, including those at FIU’s Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Pérez Art Museum Miami, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Miami-Dade College Museum of Art + Design.

Crowds at Art Basel in Miami Beach.
Photo: © Art Basel.

And then there are the parties.

With gallerists, collectors, art fairs, fashion labels, and luxury brands hosting a smorgasbord of luncheons, dinners, and late-night bashes, no one is going to be getting much rest and relaxation, despite the tropical locale. There will, however, be an opportunity to scuba dive with Trevor Paglen.

While there’s no question that hosting the annual fair is overwhelming for some locals, many are excited by its increased activity and its plum perch in the spotlight of the international art world.

“With the art world arriving soon to romance our young city,” writes New Times reporter Liz Tracy, “there’s no doubt we’ll be sailing into early art adulthood soon—and doing it in style.”