Art Miami LLC, parent company of Florida's longest running premier contemporary and modern art fair Art Miami, announced today that it will add another gem to its crown, the vibrant Aqua Art Miami in Miami Beach, now in its 8th year. Art Miami LLC will take over the operation of the fair at the conclusion of this year's 2012 edition.

"We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to take Aqua Art Miami to the next level. We look forward to carrying on the great atmosphere and tradition that founders Jaq Chartier and Dirk Park have created for emerging and cutting edge galleries and their artists and collectors over the last eight years. In addition, having a location close to the beach during Miami Art Week will help develop a larger scope of services and programming for all of our participating exhibitors and attendees associated with Art Miami, CONTEXT, and now Aqua Art Miami," said Nick Korniloff, Art Miami, LLC Fair Director and Partner.

"Dirk and I are thrilled to add our fair to the Art Miami umbrella - it's great for the future of Aqua," said Jaq Chartier, Aqua's Co-Director. "Exhibitors and their artists will have much greater exposure and access to a larger art collector base by being associated with a major international art fair."

Over the years, Aqua Art Miami has been recognized for presenting vibrant and noteworthy international art programs with a particular interest in supporting young dealers and galleries with strong emerging and early-mid career artists. This curatorial commitment is complemented by the unique art fair setting of the Aqua Hotel, a classic South Beach establishment with spacious exhibition rooms that open onto a breezy, intimate courtyard. The surroundings have become a favorite gathering spot not only for relaxation during Miami Art Week, but also as a place to exchange and disseminate new contemporary art ideas. And with its close proximity to the main Art Basel fair, Aqua Art Miami has consistently been ranked among the top satellite art events by collectors, artists, curators, critics and the art loving public alike.

This year, Aqua Art Miami's eighth installment will present innovative special programming, which features performance art and installation, plus the collective exchange of ideas by 47 exhibiting galleries from North and South America, as well as Japan. The fair is located at 1530 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, across from the Loews Hotel.