Pictured: Anne Patterson's ribbon art and painting from Michael Wyshock on display at Alfstad& Contemporary's booth at SCOPE Miami Beach 2017. Photo by Annie Alfstad.

Sam Alfstad, founder of Alfstad& Contemporary, may not be in the gallery this week, but that doesn’t mean he’s on vacation. While the gallery has, since its inception, worked to bring national and international artists to Sarasota, this year sees Alfstad and his crew working the festival circuit in an effort to bring Sarasota artists and art to the world. Earlier this year, that meant taking some of Christophe Von Hohenberg’s photographs and prints to festivals in New York City, this week it means hitting the road, Miami-bound with prints, paintings and more from 10 of the gallery’s artists, for simultaneous exhibitions at the SCOPE Miami Beach 2017 and Aqua Art Miami 2017 art festivals.

“We always want to get Sarasota artists seen in Sarasota,” says Alfstad. “This is a way to get them more on the international and national scene.” And with yesterday’s opening, SCOPE visitors have already marveled at an installation from ribbon artist Anne Patterson and paintings and prints from Sarasota artist Alain Huin and Ringling Professor Michael Wyshock. Throughout the course of the festival, more than 55,000 visitors will join them, not including the 140 exhibitors from 25 countries across the globe.

Opening today, the exhibition at Aqua is a bit more expansive, featuring work from nine artists, both local and those who have visited and made work in the Alfstad& printshop. Hosted inside a repurposed old art deco hotel, each exhibitor at Aqua receives its own room in the hotel. Devoid of furniture, they can decorate and arrange the space as they wish. “It’s a much more funky, fun venue,” says Alfstad, favoring prints, probably his favorite medium. Alongside Wyshock and Huin, fellow local artists Dasha Reich, Mike Solomon and Jorge Blanco show with Alfstad& visitors like Bruna Stude and Zimoun. Alfstad& joins only 51 other international exhibitors in this more intimate, but "funky" and relaxed festival for young and emerging artists and collectors.

On the flipside, Alfstad himself is also on the lookout for artists that he can bring to Sarasota. Last year, he was impressed by the work of Heather Hutchison, and this February she’ll be showing at Alfstad&. Says Alfstad, “We’re committed to figuring out this arts scene.”

Pictured: Anne Patterson's ribbon art and painting from Michael Wyshock on display at Alfstad& Contemporary's booth at SCOPE Miami Beach 2017. Photo by Annie Alfstad.