Hayley River Smith
HAYLEY RIVER SMITH, DIRECTOR AT SCOPE ART SHOW
Who better to ask for guidance on navigating Art Week than Hayley River Smith?
Just named SCOPE’s first-ever Director, Smith’s appointment signals a dynamic new chapter for the world’s most-visited art fair, which annually draws over 100,000 visitors to its bespoke pavilion on Ocean Drive. Smith brings a legacy of strategic vision and creative excellence to the role, having previously served as SCOPE’s Head of Communications. Her tenure included the creation of the Pérez Art Museum Miami Acquisition Prize, a groundbreaking initiative integrating the fair into the museum’s permanent collection. As Director, Smith will collaborate with Founder and President Alexis Hubshman to expand SCOPE’s Curatorial Advisory Program, deepen community engagement, and amplify the fair’s global impact.
Under Smith’s leadership, SCOPE is poised to redefine boundaries, challenge conventions, and continue elevating contemporary art.
Check out her picks for the Fair and beyond:
Courtesy of SCOPE
The most energizing Miami art experience: I am biased, but I have to say SCOPE Art Show! SCOPE has something for every type of culture seeker—from cutting-edge contemporary art to live performances and talks to wellness activations and even amazing food. Located right on the beach, we are at the heart of the amazing cultural happenings during Miami Art Week, the biggest week for art in the city.
The artist whose work I'm most looking forward to seeing: I am excited to see the work of SCOPE's principal artists, Yinka Ilori MBE and Lua Brice. Both were commissioned to create large-scale, immersive works that visitors can interact with directly and experience dynamically. I also cannot wait to see Hebru Brantley's Black Oddyssey, which is a multisensorial carnival installation celebrating African American culture and history.
Favorite Miami art adventure: Miami has so many incredible museums. Some of my favorites are the Pérez Art Museum Miami, and the ICA Miami. I love to spend a day exploring their exhibitions.
Currently reading: Hot, Cold, Heavy, Light, a new collection by Peter Schjeldahl and On Writing, by Stephen King
The most essential voices in art news are: Just as there are so many essential voices in art, there are so many channels to learn about art and culture. For news, I follow digitally-native channels, like artnet, @art, and content creators. Hypeart features many organizations and artists representing the cutting edge of contemporary art, which very much aligns with SCOPE's focus. I also love to talk with the artists that SCOPE works with, to hear about news and movements from their perspective and from within their own communities.
Insider tips for prepping for SCOPE: The theme of this year's show is Interdependence, which is a lens that all SCOPE visitors should really lean into as an invitation to participate in all the curated programming! There are so many incredible artists and exhibitors who will be present throughout the week, so seek out opportunities to connect to the SCOPE community and take advantage of all of the different experiences you can have under one tent!