Famed Interior Designer Juan Montoya Designs Art Miami VIP Lounge

FAMED INTERIOR DESIGNER JUAN MONTOYA DESIGNS ART MIAMI VIP LOUNGE 

Art and Design will intersectthis year at Art Miami’s 22^nd edition

MIAMI, FL – (October 24, 2011) - Art Miami (www.art-miami.com), Miami’s longest running contemporary art fair and anchor fair to the City of Miami has partnered with its official host hotel, Mandarin Oriental, Miami to engage interior designer Juan Montoya to design an incredible VIP Lounge at Art Miami’s 22^nd edition, which will run November 29 – December 4, 2011.

Inspired by the modern and contemporary artwork showcased annually at Art Miami, Montoya will transform a 2,000-square-foot space that’s located in the epicenter of Art Miami’s state-of-the-art pavilion where VIP collectors, sponsors and art dealers connect to network, entertain and host client meetings.

Sponsored by Mandarin Oriental, one of the most luxurious five-star hotels in the city, the VIP lounge will combine the sophistication of Miami, with the cultural heritage of the Far East — filled with rich, yet muted tones and exotic furnishings from Indonesia.  The centerpiece bamboo sculpture will entice Art Miami VIPs into the interior private seating area for more intimate conversations. A specially created bar topped with custom Indonesian wood will provide the ideal social setting for networking, whilestriking cowhide rugs will blanket the floor, accenting the overall décor.

“Since Art Miami exhibitors display high quality art work, I felt that it was important to give the VIP audience an opportunity to have a place that’s equally as sophisticated so they can discuss art,” Juan Montoya said. “I wanted this space to be unique — something that had not been done before. The statement pieces, furnishings and fabrics all beautifully complement the artwork featured at Art Miami.”

With more than 110 prestigious international galleries participating, Art Miami is a “can’t miss” event for collectors, curators, museum professionals and art enthusiasts to acquire some of the finest and most important works of art that the contemporary market has to offer.  The fair will include modern and contemporary paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography and prints from Europe, Asia, Latin America, India, the Middle East and the United States. Distinguished for its quality, depth, and diversity, Art Miami maintains a preeminent position in America’s contemporary art fair market.

“We are really looking forward to seeing Juan Montoya’s vision of the Art Miami VIP Lounge come to life, courtesy of the Mandarin Oriental, Miami,” said Nick Korniloff, Director of Art Miami.  “Art Miami is truly a venue that inspires artists, collectors and interior designers alike and that’s evident in Juan Montoya’s elaborate design.”

About Art Miami:

Miami’s longest running contemporary art fair, Art Miami will run from November 30 – December 4, 2011. As the anchor art fair to the city of Miami, the fair will return with a compelling array of modern and contemporary artwork from over 110 international galleries and prominent art institutions. Art Miami will be held in a state-of-the-art 125,000 square foot pavilion in Miami’s burgeoning Wynwood arts district. Art Miami’s highly anticipated Opening Night VIP Preview, on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, will benefit The Lotus House Women’s Shelter. $25 donationpayable at the door or purchased in advance online.

About Mandarin Oriental, Miami:

Contemporary in design and with a prominent waterfront location, the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Miami features 326 elegant guest rooms and suites – offering dramatic views of the bay and the Miami skyline.  Amenities include two high-energy restaurants, M-Bar – a dynamic cocktail lounge and martini bar, an award-winning tri-level spa, Oasis Beach Club, the luxury boutique ShanghaiTang and extensive meeting and business facilities. For more information onMandarin Oriental, Miami visit www.mandarinoriental.com/miami.

About Juan Montoya:

One of the most acclaimed and prolific interiordesigners in the world today, Juan Montoya was born and spent his early years in Columbia. After studying architecture in Bogota, he moved to New York, where he graduated from Parsons School of Design. Following two years of work andstudy in Paris and Milan, he returned to New York, where he founded the design business he has presided over since 1978. His firm specializes in residential and contract interior design, with projects located throughout the United States and abroad. He also designs and markets an extensive line of furniture. A member of the Interior Design Hall of Fame and recipient of the honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from Parson School of Design, his contributions to the field of interior design are widely recognized.