Blizzard be damned! An onslaught of snow in New York didn’t dampen the spirits of music producer and collector Swizz Beatz and artist Kehinde Wiley, who both braved the storm to kick off Miami Art Week with Creative Minds Talks on Monday, December 2. 

Kasseem Dean, aka Swizz Beatz, and his longtime friend Wiley arrived at Miami Beach’s New World Center donning stylish straight-from-the-plane outerwear and took to the stage before a packed house. The crowd was all ears as the powerhouses delved into timely topics including questions of cultural ownership, the ethics of collecting, and their hopes for the next generation of creatives. 

Swizz Beatz (left) and Kehinde Wiley (right) on stage at Miami Beach’s New World Center. Courtesy of Creative Minds Talks.

With Swizz drawing from his personal experiences in the art and entertainment worlds, and Wiley sharing his dreams for his residency program Black Rock Senegal, both encouraged the well-heeled audience of celebrities, curators, gallerists, and collectors to think disruptively and consciously about their roles in the art world. Wiley summed up his mission saying, “the itch to share your studio space can become a social movement.”

The star-studded attendees included German-American designer Barbara Becker, dealer Karen Jenkins Johnson, artist Major Lazer, and DJ Walshy Fire, along with Creative Mind Talks Founder Ewa Pollieux. Also among the captivated listeners were 120 students and educators who were invited to the evening courtesy of Creative Minds Talks. 

See photos from the inspiring conversation and after party below. 

Courtesy of Creative Minds Talks.

Students and educators at the Monday night conversation. Courtesy of Creative Minds Talks.

Barbara Becker. Courtesy of Creative Minds Talks.

Ewa Poilleux. Courtesy of Creative Minds Talks.

April Hunt. Courtesy of Creative Minds Talks

Swizz Beatz. Courtesy of Creative Minds Talks.

Karen Jenkins Johnson. Courtesy of Creative Minds Talks.

Nasir Dean. Courtesy of Creative Minds Talks.

Annie Wang, Ashley Harris, and Gaby Harris. Courtesy of Creative Minds Talks.

Courtesy of Creative Minds Talks.