What happens when you put one-of-a-kind modern art, traditional craftsmanship and a UM student all in the same room? You get this review of Aqua Art’s VIP preview from The Miami Hurricane. Although every artist and gallery in attendance is to be commended for their outstanding work, a few artists and their stories stood out among the rest.

Aqua Art Miami hosted its 16th edition VIP Preview on Nov. 30 before opening to the public from Dec. 1-4. The gallery-style exhibit has become a hub for collectors and art professionals, conveniently scheduled alongside its sister fairs — Art Miami, CONTEXT and Art Basel Miami Beach. With a focus on emerging artists, Aqua Art Miami will showcase unique styles of art ranging in techniques and mediums in an intimate South Beach hotel gallery setting.

Sonia Atlantova & Olexander Klimenko

On behalf of the Black and White Project Space, a Ukraine Charity Collection was set up in the hotel for purchase with the slogan “Buy an Icon, Save a Life in Ukraine.”

Ukrainian native artists Sonia Atlantova and Olexander Klimenko use the wooden remains of ammunition boxes abandoned by soldiers fighting on Ukrainian battlefields to paint icons. All sale proceeds are then donated to mobile hospitals that provide care to wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, their work stands more relevant than ever. The…