Garrido-Lecca Secures Miami Beach Legacy Purchase as City Embraces Cultural Impact

Miami Beach has long been a hub for art and culture, but beyond the glitz of Miami Art Week, the city is actively shaping its own cultural identity. While the annual event brings in collectors, artists, and fashion enthusiasts, Miami Beach continues to build its presence as a year-round cultural destination.

One significant moment in this effort was the announcement of the 2025 Legacy Purchase Program winner. This program, timed with Art Basel Miami Beach, allows residents and visitors to vote on a public-art acquisition. The winning piece, Modulations – Sequence XXIX by Ximena Garrido-Lecca, was selected from emerging artists featured in Art Basel’s Positions, Nova, and Galleries sectors. The copper-rope artwork, showcased through Livia Benavides Gallery, explores themes of Peru's extractive economy, blending modern corporate symbols with pre-Columbian abstraction. This marks the seventh acquisition since the program began in 2019 and will eventually be displayed at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Garrido-Lecca’s work joins a growing collection that includes pieces by Sanford Biggers, Amoako Boafo, Ebony G. Patterson, and Farah Al Qasimi. The selection process involved the city’s Art in Public Places Committee, which narrowed down the finalists before opening the vote to the public. Mayor Steven Meiner praised the acquisition as evidence of Miami Beach’s status as a "global destination for creative innovation," highlighting the community engagement it generated.

In addition to the Legacy Purchase Program, Miami Beach has launched another initiative called No Vacancy. This sixth edition of the juried public-art program features 12 site-specific installations across hotel lobbies, running from November 13 through December 20. The project aims to support and showcase Miami-based artists, offering each participant a $10,000 production stipend and awarding $35,000 in total prizes, including a $25,000 juried award and a $10,000 public prize funded by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

No Vacancy encourages visitors and locals to view Miami Beach’s hotel architecture as cultural infrastructure rather than just a backdrop for hospitality. Unlike many Art Week projects that fade after the fair, this initiative continues to engage the city long after the market’s peak. It is part of a broader municipal strategy that includes dozens of public installations, museum programs, and performances throughout the year.

Together, the Legacy Purchase Program and No Vacancy reflect a maturing cultural approach. While Miami Beach is known for its role in the global art market during December, these initiatives show a commitment to long-term visibility, civic participation, and year-round programming. The city is no longer just a temporary gathering place for art enthusiasts—it is building a lasting cultural legacy.

As Miami Beach continues to evolve, it is clear that its cultural life extends far beyond the convention center lights. Whether through public art acquisitions or curated installations, the city is proving that its artistic influence endures well past the holiday season.