How I Finally Found an Affordable Artist Studio in Miami
From Big Moves to Small Canvases
So after moving back to Miami from Dallas at the end of 2022, I struggled to feel as comfortable painting as I once did. I had space in my huge Texas apartment to make a cozy home studio in the beginning of my art journey post-COVID. But my Miami Beach apartment forced me to stick to small canvases due to limited space & ventilation (priority when using oils!!), tricky lighting, and just… something was missing.
I made it work for as long as I could; still, creating from home led to many more obstacles than I can list, and it really negatively affected my ability to “clock in” and focus on making new work. I was really stuck. Eventually I stepped back from painting as much with oils to protect my and Lola’s health: even using odorless mineral spirits at home is a health risk afterall.
The Studio Hunt (aka: My Miami Real Estate Reality Check)
When I downsized my apartment, I assumed I’d find an affordable artist studio. We’re in Miami, a major arts city with endless galleries and pop-ups—how hard could it be? Turns out, very hard. Affordable studios were always full, often with waitlists, and open spots cost $1,800–$2,000 per month! That’s impossible for an early-career artist working nights as a nurse just scraping by.
The days of finding a sub-$500 corner in Allapattah or Wynwood are long gone, and many spaces require hard-vetted juried applications, a strong CV, and an established portfolio. Again, if you’re just starting to create a body of work, you probably aren’t solid competition for one of these coveted spots. I was close to giving up when I saw an Instagram post: a spot had opened at CollaboARTive in the Bird Road Arts District. Ten minutes later, I’d sent my email showing my interest.
Love at First Tour
From the first tour, I knew it was right. Founders Iggy and Jean Font have built a diverse, welcoming community of early- and mid-career artists, teachers, and creatives. They offer workshops, networking events, and gallery nights all aimed at helping artists grow professionally. As someone in my mid-30s that works full time in healthcare, I don’t have an established go-to group of creative buddies to “fellowship” with. Finding community mattered as much to me as a space to physically work, and it was all right there!
Bigger Walls, Bigger Dreams
My space is perfect: affordable, big enough for large-scale work, and even came with a gifted worktable from Jean. After years of small canvases, I finally have room to stretch out—literally. My practice is more consistent, my flow state comes quicker, and I’m surrounded by genuine, unpretentious energy.
“My CollaboARTive studio space allows me to create works larger than I ever have. I feel like my creativity has expanded significantly.”
Why Affordable Studios Matter
Art studios may not be an absolute requirement for every artist: I’ve drawn and painted my whole life on my grandma’s dinner table. But as life responsibilities grow, like working overtime to cover rising rent, caring for family—it gets harder to find the time and space to enter that creative “zone.” And when you’re creating at home around kids and pets, there’s the added burden of setting up and cleaning your workspace every time, especially if you use solvents like I do.
For me, it became increasingly difficult with my neurodivergence to fully focus on my art at home. I’d already spent years in my apartment working within the limits of small canvases, doing my best despite the space constraints. And I know I’m not alone: multidisciplinary artists, sculptors, weavers, and so many others often face even greater functional challenges, especially in smaller Miami apartments.
An affordable studio doesn’t just give you room to work, it gives you mental space, relieves financial pressure, and creates opportunity. It’s a place where you can leave your projects out, immerse yourself without distraction, and be surrounded by a community that fuels your creativity. For me, having that kind of space has been transformative, and I believe every artist deserves the chance to experience it.
CollaboARTive makes a real difference for artists like me—it’s a space where we can finally say, “I’m here,” and start finding our place in Miami’s creative community.
Please contact me if you’d like to stop by! Also check out our next Open Studio at CollaboARTive on September 20th, 2025! See ya soon. :)
A year back home
It’s been a little over a month since I reached my first 365 days back home in Miami since my move to Dallas in 2017. It is mindboggling to think how much my life has transformed since that time, when I was 26 and newly married, completely disconnected from my authentic self and my childhood dreams to be an artist.
The lockdown forced me, like many others, to sit quietly with myself and reflect on my life choices. The realization of my chronic dissociation led me to seek ways to reconnect with myself and heal the pain I was experiencing.
One of the ways I was able to re-establish my identity was through creating art. I had opened a door to self-expression and self-discovery, fed my soul again through creativity, and gained strength through other’s positive feedback and encouraging energy.
The positive reinforcement I received from my first show in Dallas, The Chocolate And Art Show propelled my confidence and opened my eyes to dream in a way that scared me.
Before the Chocolate and Art show, I hadn’t realized just how important community and feedback was for an artist like myself that is self-taught. Save one or two, I really didn’t have any artist friends to critique my work or join me in a creative-flow, or go check out a new gallery—I did not even know of any because I was so disconnected from local happenings. Dallas was not only not my home, I had no real emotional or historical connection to the area, and also did not feel inspired by the environment or ambiance. In yet, if I hadn't experienced what I did there, I probably never would have felt so eager to seek out opportunities the way I had.
Moving back to Miami was how I finally got out of my shell. Returning and witnessing how other artists bravely put themselves out there and flourish was just the energy I needed to be continuously reminded of my artistic career goals.
The Miami art scene is vibrant, growing, and dynamic. Here I’ve met passionate amateurs like myself, confident emerging artists at galleries, helpful curators, and informative, established professional artists. There is an art show or an art pop-up almost daily in creative hot-spot neighborhoods like Wynwood, Allapattah, and Little River that I only wish I had sufficient time to attend.
Live painting session at an Artbox pop-up at Wynwood’s Dirty Rabbit. Photo: Issa Moreno
Working with RAW Artists and with AAKABO led me to meet and network with other South Florida painters that gave me a sense of community. In the art world, relationships are everything. It is a blessing to experience this community and feel a sense of collaboration instead of toxic competition (because we all know some competition is normal and healthy, amirite?). For example, through RAW, I met talented and humble portrait artist and SVA grad, Anthony Shagan who is now someone I look up to and go to for skills advice and critique. These experiences led to my sense of belonging and validation that I made the right choice for me and my art career by moving to Miami.
Even though its only been a year, I’ve established a strong friendship and relationship with a wonderful gallery in the heart of the growing Allapattah Arts District, ColourSenses Project , only to lead to more friendships and opportunities, such as my art having a feature in The Miami Herald. There are other emerging projects I will shine light on when its closer to Miami Art Week (wink wink), but for now, if you are an artist who feels their environment is blocking or impeding your growth and you’ve dreamt of making a move: I encourage you to do it if it is within your means. Go where you find inspiration. Take that risk. Environment is key for creativity (at least for me!). Who knows what opportunities await you when your milieu meets the demand of your creative appetite.
With love from somewhere sunny,
Marg
chocolate & art show - dallas
I showed at my first art show in Dallas this August! It was an amazing experience where I was able to meet so many passionate artists & creatives who like me, are looking to advance their art career within their community. It was an exhilarating thing to see strangers take their time gazing into my paintings, ask questions about my process, and wish to connect further. A few times I felt a knot in my throat hearing what people had to say about what I made.
I worked really hard to make this happen and of course had help from friends who critiqued, photographed, and spent the days with me! (Shout out to you Mel, Kai, and Yudi!)
This show was, surely, the first of many. It was a major life goal of mine to be brave enough to expose my work publicly like this. It may seem silly to non-artists maybe, but if anyone knows anything about me, is my art is usually very emotional for me to talk about. Showing my art even on IG is difficult but especially in a public space for others to see and where I can see their facial expressions and hear feedback live—this feels especially vulnerable.
But I finally did it. And I feel very proud for doing so. It was an educational experience as well. There were things I wish I had done better to feel more prepared at the show, and also have a better understanding of what people look for in terms of art-merchanise.
Anyway, CAN’T wait to experience my next show. Enjoy the pics! (Taken by Kai at VM3 Productions).
Stay tuned! Stay in touch by following me on IG where I am most active. You can also follow my Facebook Business Page and my Twitter for more!
español//
¡Exhibí en mi primera exposición de arte en Dallas este agosto! Fue una experiencia increíble en la que pude conocer a tantos artistas y creativos apasionados que, como yo, buscan avanzar en su carrera artística dentro de su comunidad. Fue emocionante ver el reflejo de mis pinturas en ojos de otros. Pero sobre todo fue una experiencia única ver como se tomaban el tiempo los invitados a conocer mas sobre mi técnica, mi proceso, y la inspiración detrás de cada pieza. A veces sentí un nudo en la garganta al escuchar lo que la gente tenía que decir sobre lo que me tomo días y semanas crear.
¡Trabajé muy duro para que esto sucediera y, por supuesto, tuve la ayuda de amigos que criticaron, fotografiaron y pasaron los días del evento conmigo! (¡Un saludo Mel, Kai y Yudi!)
Esta exposición fue, seguramente, el primero de muchos. Era un objetivo importante en mi vida ser lo suficientemente valiente como para exponer mi trabajo públicamente de esta manera. Puede parecer una tontería para los que no son artistas, pero si alguien sabe algo sobre mí, es que mi arte suele ser muy emotivo para mí. Mostrar mi arte incluso en IG es difícil, pero especialmente en un espacio público para que otros lo vean y donde puedo ver sus expresiones faciales y escuchar comentarios en vivo; esto se siente especialmente vulnerable.
Pero finalmente lo hice. Y me siento muy orgullosa de hacerlo. También fue una experiencia educativa. Había cosas que desearía haber hecho mejor para sentirme más preparada en la feria y también tener una mejor comprensión de lo que la gente busca en términos de mercancía artística.
De todos modos, NO PUEDO esperar para experimentar mi próximo exposición o feria de arte. ¡Disfruta de las fotos! (Tomada por Kai en VM3 Productions).
¡Manténganse al tanto! Mantente en contacto siguiéndome en IG donde estoy más activa. ¡También pueden seguir mi página comercial de Facebook y mi Twitter para obtener más información!
haza, handmade// hecho a mano
welcome! bienvenidos!
I am so excited to start making my art journey a little more public by finally making a website. it seems like such a small thing, but to me, this solidifies the intention to allow myself to grow as an artist by networking with other artists, “artpreneurs”, and the art enthusiasts of the interweb.
and dare I say, it makes me feel more… professional?
this is certainly a much neater way for me to organize & share my thoughts on creativity, processes, and everyday “art life” than my messy instagram posts. and of course, most importantly, I will showcase my portfolio of completed works for sale and have an array of high quality prints for purchase.
so stay tuned while I get this portal to my creative mind up and going!
thank you for stopping by,
mh
español //
Estoy muy emocionada de comenzar a hacer que mi carrera artística sea un poco más público al crear finalmente un sitio web. parece algo tan pequeño, pero para mí, esto solidifica la intención de permitirme crecer como artista mediante la creación de redes con otros artistas, "artpreneurs" y los entusiastas del arte de la interweb.
y me atrevo a decir que me hace sentir más… ¿profesional?
Sin duda, esta es una forma mucho más ordenada de organizar y compartir mis pensamientos sobre la creatividad, los procesos y la "vida artística" cotidiana que mis desordenadas publicaciones de Instagram. y, por supuesto, lo más importante, exhibiré mi portafolio de trabajos terminados para la venta y tendré una variedad de impresiones de alta calidad para comprar.
¡así que estén atentos mientras pongo en marcha este portal para mi mente creativa!
Gracias por la visita,
mh