WORK • Thursday Routine
ANAI FONTE • founder • ARRAE Gallery
Neighborhood you work in: Coconut Grove
Neighborhood you live in: South Miami
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I pull up to Grand Avenue and wave to the locals of the Little Bahamas district, one of Miami’s oldest neighborhoods. I cross to Dogtown, check in with my manager, give a few pups a reassuring scruff, then stroll over to ARRAE, my new gallery in Coconut Grove. Inside, the lights click on and I pause to say hello to a layered collection of artwork by Miami-based artists. Outside, I unfold a simple table and two chairs on the sidewalk to welcome anyone passing by to step in, take in the art, and spark a deep conversation about creative endeavors.
What’s on your agenda for today?
Packaging artworks bound for new homes. Between carefully wrapping canvases and boxing ceramics, I’ll review artist submissions from our current collection to see which pieces will take their place. Midday, I’m coordinating with other businesses in the Little Bahamas district to plan engagement events for this fall.
Any bar or restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
As a lifelong Miamian, I have my go-to spots for dinner. Lung Yai on 8th Street in Little Havana, Matsuri in South Miami for sushi. But ever since my trip to Mexico City, I’ve been chasing the best tacos of my life. We tried many places and none compared, except Tacos La Potranca off US-1 near Dadeland.
How about a little leisure or culture?
Leisure for me is all about being on the water — fishing, diving or simply drifting on Biscayne Bay. If you’re adventurous, sign up for a swamp walk at Clyde Butcher Art Gallery in Big Cypress National Preserve. Culture? The Wolfsonian museum on South Beach is a must. And if you can carve out a day, take the Brightline to West Palm Beach, wander the Norton Art Museum’s collection, from prehistoric sculpture through contemporary galleries, then linger over lunch in their sculpture garden.
Any weekend getaways?
On any given weekend I often head north to Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Jupiter. I rent a kayak, paddle to Trapper Nelson’s for a taste of old Florida, then stay at the Jupiter Inn in a water-view room and stroll Blowing Rocks Preserve at dawn. Or I slip down to Key West — stay at Winslow’s Bungalows, part of Key West Historic Inns, rent bikes and get delightfully lost, eat conch fritters at the Thirsty Mermaid, and watch my friend Sean Dwyer paint watercolor portraits in Mallory Square.
What was your last great vacation?
This past summer I road-tripped from Boston to Acadia National Park in Maine. We stopped in Portland to check out the art scene and sampled oysters at every shack along the way until we were oyster experts by the time we reached Acadia. Do the Bubble Hike and eat the popover at Jordan Pond House — you won’t regret it.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
My camper, a Micro Minnie Winnebago.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Check out the pottery classes with Victor at Anhinga Pottery.
Where are you donating your time or money?
The Things Lab.