Andi Potamkin
ANDI POTAMKIN, ICA Miami Trustee; Art Collector; Gardening Teacher
Andi Potamkin is never not thinking about our physical environment. In her 20s, she owned a gallery in West Chelsea which quickly became known for consciously cultivating an atmosphere that, in a sea of intimidating neighbors, felt like walking into the living room of your most stylish and eccentric friend.
Today, she brings her expertise in design, urban planning, and public presentation to numerous efforts, including the SEED School of Miami, where she teaches regenerative agriculture to students, and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, where she promotes environmental sustainability as a Trustee and Facilities Committee Chair.
Potamkin is a Miami native and, much like the city that raised her, does nothing half way. Ahead of the ICA’s presentation, “Keiichi Tanaami: Memory Collage” (the artist’s first US solo museum exhibition), Potamkin spent a spent a month in Japan, visiting over 50 coffee shops, book stores, and curios to revamp the ICA’s truly excellent coffee and gift shop.
Potamkin has curated international exhibitions and frequently writes on cultural topics. This week, check out her panel at Scope on American Photography, and her Miami picks below.
The most energizing Miami art experience: While Untitled is the fair where I tend to purchase a piece, I think the afternoon spent at the Convention Center and across the street at Design Miami is the most energizing day. The energy on that street between the two fairs is invigorating. Also, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden is right on that street for a moment of respite in a tropical garden.
The artist who currently defines Miami: Austyn Weiner. She is Miami-born and bred and is appreciated around the world. Her work is funky and fun, colorful and playful, a reflection of her personality. But she is deeply philosophical and the deeper you look, the more you find. To me, she represents feminine freedom.
My favorite Miami art adventure: An afternoon at ICA Miami, the Institute of Contemporary Art, which is - unsurprisingly - my favorite. The museum is intimate (prepare for a big expansion next year as the museum just doubled our footprint with our recent purchase of the De La Cruz building). Visit the exhibits and then stop in our bookshop downstairs. It's filled with exquisite table books, delightful conversations cards, with other sweet little treasures.
Currently reading: The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker; Mycelium Teachings and the Arts by Yasmine Ostendorf-Rodriguez.
The most essential voices in art news: I get most of my art guidance from The Cultivist, an art access club with unparalleled member service. They handle everything from customized travel guides to private museum tours and studio visits. The founder Marlies Verhoeven is pretty much the most elegant and badass woman in art. Whenever there is an art fair, I start my planning with The Cultivist Fair Guide.
Before the fair, I’ll get my (coffee/smoothie/breakfast) at: Caracas Bakery, or somewhere that serves Counter Culture Coffee
The last photo in my camera roll: A photo of my students harvesting cucumbers in their school garden in Opa Locka.
I buy my supplies at: the farmer's market. I always use the discards of my cooking for craft projects. I recently made some paper for my mother using beet skins for the color. And I’m currently dying some fabric with bamboo and green tea for my girlfriend Dianna who started Crown Affair. The teas make this perfect Crown Affair green.
The last rabbit hole I went down: native Florida plants that attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. I run our Sculpture Garden at ICAMiami, and we have over 50 different species of native Florida plants. It's a little tropical sanctuary in the middle of the Design District and I'm always looking for strange tropical plants to bring into our living collection.
Miami’s best hotel lobby: The Surf Club, hands down. It’s a bit north but worth the drive. It’s a perfectly restored ‘Old Miami’ hotel and the vibes are just, perfection.
Non-museum/gallery with the best art collection: The Moore Club in the Design District has a fantastic collection. All the pieces exhibited there are on loan from members of the club so there is a diversity of styles, which is fun and stimulating to see. The Club’s art program was thoughtfully curated by Monica Kalpakian, so it has a pleasing throughline.
How do you prepare to be creative? I make myself a cup of coffee with honey and flip through a coffee table book with good pictures. I have an extensive little library at my apartment, and I find endless inspiration looking through books. Then I do a lifting facial massage with Dr. Loretta hydrating concentrate. It wakes up my face and my creative mind.