Miami event gives global nail artists a platform for handiwork to be recognised

Miami has long been a hub for creativity, fashion and vibrant cultural expression, and on 8 December 2024, as part of the Art Basel annual art fair, it hosted The Nail Art Exhibition.

Curated by celebrity nail artist, Kleopatra Tsompani, and powered by Booksy, it featured work by 16 nail pros from across the globe and celebrated their creations as art forms.

Kleopatra’s vision was to show the world that nail art is limitless and deserves to be recognised as a true art form. She sought to feature nail stylists – both established and up-and-coming – who presented different nail styles, commenting: “Artists were challenged to create something entirely new, that they never tried before while staying true to their signature style.

“The exhibition featured everything from sculptures to canvases, using materials that people wouldn’t typically associate with nail art. It was about pushing boundaries, telling stories and showing that nail art can be more than a manicure.”

Kleopatra spent two months gathering content for the exhibition, which was held in Le Couleurs Contemporary Art Gallery in Downtown Miami.

A showcase of styles

The event welcomed 250 attendees over six hours, who delighted in the designs by Kleopatra and 15 other nail artists. “A dedicated nail art wall was designed by theme,” Kleopatra reveals. “A display of nail art, including ancient Chinese nail guards, also featured, giving attendees a deeper understanding that nails are more than art: they are a lifestyle.

“Nail art is a powerful art form that’s accessible to everyone, and it deserves greater recognition in both the beauty and art industries.”

Kleopatra continues: “During the exhibition, I had the pleasure of hosting attendees, sharing the history of nail art and presenting the unique work of each artist. The Nail Art Exhibition was my way of giving nail artists a platform to showcase their talents, and inspire others to see nails in different contexts.

“The sense of community was strong amongst the featured nail artists and attendees, and many called the exhibition one of the most interesting art shows at Art Basel.”

Featured nail artist: REBEKAH PRITCHARD, UK

“I was thrilled to be asked to create a piece of nail art for The Nail Art Exhibition and decided to play to my strengths,” shares featured nail artist, Rebekah Pritchard. “One of my favourite creations is a white and blue watercolour design. I then considered Delftware pottery, so made a teacup using Home Of Nail Art’s TrueSculpt Fibre Gel.

“The idea of the fingers holding the cup came next, and I then decided I wanted the floral pattern to appear as though it’s being poured out of the cup. The project took me around 20 hours to complete and I loved pushing the boundaries of nail art for this exhibition.

“It’s great that nail artists are recognised as ‘real’ artists. After all, we paint tiny pieces of art on peoples’ nails, which are moving canvases.”

Featured nail artist: MICHELLE SOTO, USA

“I was honoured and excited to be part of The Nail Art Exhibition, as the event felt like a huge milestone for our craft and community,” Michelle comments. “I submitted a collection showcasing a variety of styles I’ve worked on over the years, including flat nail art, 3D designs, realism, pop art, and cartoon styles.

“I blended diverse techniques and pushed the boundaries of nail artistry, using products including gel polish, gel paints, acrylics, gels, and acrygel to bring my visions to life. Some designs took as little as an hour and a half, while the more intricate sets required up to 13 hours of work.

“The Nail Art Exhibition brought much-needed recognition to the incredible talent within our industry. It helped validate nail art as a true art form, while inspiring creativity and innovation.”

“The platform not only showcased the amazing work of nail artists, but encouraged community growth, collaboration and a broader appreciation for our craft.”

 

Featured nail artist: KIRSTY MEAKIN, UK

“I’m delighted that the work of nail stylists has been recognised in the art world courtesy of The Nail Art Exhibition, as we are artists in our own right. I am positive that other nail techs will appreciate this event and see the elevation our industry is getting, which is well deserved.”

Follow The Nail Art Exhibition on Instagram for news of upcoming events: @the.nail.art.exhibition