Mother’s Day morning was my time. Our community was established more than one hundred years ago as a seasonal tourist destination. The end of season had arrived and with it the final day of the annual bi-weekly antique and collectables market (https://antiquecollectiblemarket.com/), not to mention rainy season just in a few weeks. I wanted to wander Lincoln Road, the pedestrian mall that is at the center of our city, to take in the market and also some new “art” there.

The antique market was, mixed and interesting and I enjoyed having the time to look casually at all that was there. I missed the African man from whom I buy beads every once in a while. On the other hand, the morning was opportune to take in the art installations the business district has added. I also took in eatures of some of the historic buildings along the way.

New additions to the 2024-25 public art on Lincoln include the works of two artists or art groups were recently added (see 11-23-2024 post for the Art Week offerings, still on display). Dogman and Rabbitwoman, two characters created by artist team Gillie and Marc, are featured two sculptures.

In “The Giraffe and Chimpanzee,” they ride with a playful chimpanzee on the back of a tall giraffe on bicycle built for four. In another location, the friends join a white rhino on “The White Rhino Bench of Friendship,” a bronze bench with room for more. Both works are designed for visitors to sit and take photos.

According to the artists, Dogman and Rabbitwoman represent diversity and acceptance through love. They tell an autobiographical tale of two opposites who become best friends and soulmates. These works also carry messages about the importance of conservation and protecting endangered species.

Two other new sculptures united by the themes of Pride and ducks were installed on Lincoln early in April as part of the Road’s annual celebration of Miami Beach Pride Month. “Unity Beak” is two multi-colored, larger-than-life ducks inhabiting one of the iconic fountains, part of the streetscape created by Morris Lapidus.

Nearby, “Proud Love” is an oversized heart arranged in the colors of the Pride flag. Both works are made of thousands of rubber ducks.

They are the work of Facundo L. Yebne, otherwise known as FLY (https://www.flymiami.art/), a Miami-based artist originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“Sunny the Duck,” a seven foot tall solid rubber duck, is another Lincoln Road duck-themed sculpture. Sunny is sponsored by Duck World which recently opened their flagship U.S. store on neighboring Washington Avenue. Other locations of Duck World can be found elsewhere in the US and the UK.

There’s so much more to take in on any day on Lincoln. I saw only one of the chimes installed in the canopy last fall (see 11-23-24 post). On a West Indian Laurel fig it was accompanied by a beautifully blooming orchid, part of Fairchild Tropical Garden’s million orchid project (https://fairchildgarden.org/science-and-education/science/million-orchid-project/).

New along the road are these named little delivery robots. I’m not sure where they are coming from, nor where they are going. Busy, busy …

I enjoy exploring the shops on Lincoln to find vestiges of the original architecture and history of this “Fifth Avenue of the South.” On my stroll I went to see what I remembered seeing on a previous walk. Lincoln Road had been the home of at least four movie theaters. The Carib and the Beach are long closed as is the iconic Lincoln Theater. The latter has been lovingly restored and made the home of the New World Symphony for many years before their move to their own Frank Gehry building nearby. It now houses a two-story H & M store. Remains of the old building are still found in the building like this water fountain.

City-owned Colony Theater on the western edge of the Road is where Miami New Drama puts on an annual schedule of interesting, often world-premiere plays.* I spied this thought for the day on the theater’s marquee, a student’s work as part of the annual O Miami poetry month.

*A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical was one such premier before making a mark on Broadway last year.

And yes, the family took me out to a very enjoyable brunch late in the afternoon.