MIAMI, FL.- An urbane newcomer is poised to join the constellation of art fairs illuminating Miami from December 5 to 9, 2007. For information please call (305) 573-1388 or visit the website at www.art-miami.com.

Art Miami-second in size only to Art Basel Miami Beach-debuts in the Wynwood Art District , only steps away from the Rubell Family Collection, The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse, and many of the city's best galleries. It is an international stage, bringing a bevy of fresh faces to the city, including a good many art dealers who are leading, long-time experts in their areas of specialization.

The new Art Miami has sprung from the roots of a fair of the same name, which anchored the January art calendar here for nearly two decades. The strengths of the new show lie in contemporary work, whether by newer talents like Robyn O'Neil and Amy Cutler or established names like Tony Oursler; modern masters, including Willem deKooning, Joan Mitchell, and Manuel Neri; photography, including new discoveries like the oeuvre of Kohei Yoshiuki; and the high-end design arts.

Nearly 100 galleries will participate. From New York City alone come Alexander Gray Associates, Anna Kustera, Barry Friedman Ltd, Betty Cuningham Gallery, Danese, Laurence Miller Gallery, Leslie Tonkonow Artworks + Projects, Senior & Shopmaker Gallery, Stefan Stux Gallery, Yancey Richardson Gallery, and Yossi Milo Gallery, among others.

Gallery Paule Anglim, Hackett-Freedman Gallery, Haines Gallery, and the Stephen Wirtz Gallery will travel from San Francisco and Rosamund Felsen Gallery and Rose Gallery from Los Angeles . Wetterling Gallery from Stockholm and Xin Dong Cheng Gallery from Beijing are two of a strong contingent of European and Asian participants. The work of important modern and contemporary Latin artists will be featured by galleries based in Mexico and Venezuela as well as the U.S.

"To a large degree, the transformation of Art Miami is evidence-if any more were needed-that the art world has changed," says Ilana Vardy , the show's director and herself a veteran of art fairs, including Art Chicago in the 1990s. "Had it not been for the willingness of seasoned gallerists to come aboard Art Miami 2007-many of whom had never before exhibited at an art fair-we could never have assembled a roster of this quality in less than a year."

"My gallery has never done an art fair before," says veteran New York gallerist Betsy Senior, continuing with a smile, "We were hoping that they'd go away. But we waited until we found the right venue, where we could showcase our strengths alongside our peers."

"We at Art Miami wanted to be a part of a circuit of fairs that is both a powerful economic engine and an incredible exchange center for new ideas," Vardy continued. "We also saw an opportunity to fill a niche by presenting more art of the recent past and a wider variety of genres than have the existing fairs."

"We also hope to mount a more user-friendly show, geared to those who may be new to serious collecting as well as to seasoned art fair experts," she concluded.

Art Miami is, in fact, the only fair to offer VIP visitors the services of an art advisor. Art advisors invited by Art Miami will be "on call" throughout the show's run.

The 100,000 sq. ft. fair will occupy a spectacular tented structure stationed at the center of the week's activity: just blocks from the major satellite fairs, the Rubell Family Collection, MOCA at Goldman Warehouse, The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse, CIFO (Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation), galleries, and the Miami Design District.

"We at Art Miami are betting that the quality and diversity of our offerings-together with ample lounge space, quality dining, and convenient shuttle services-will encourage visitors to schedule serious time there, even during a fast-paced week," says Vardy."

Sponsors of Art Miami include Citibank, ArtNexus, Open Doors, Prive Jets and Managed Artwork. The fair is owned and operated by Summit Business Media.