A Thing For Sweets: The Miami Sweet exhibition opened at Aventura Mall on Oct. 16. All of the artwork is made out of candy. DELFINA RAFFETTI/THE REPORTER
A&E

This Exhibit Is For Anyone With A Sweet Tooth

Luz Diago , 

A candyland exhibit has made its way to Dade County.

Miami Sweet, 19501 Biscayne Blvd, in Aventura Mall is the area’s newest art exhibition. It opened its doors on Oct. 16 and caters to anyone with a sweet tooth.

All of the exhibits on display were handcrafted using various types of candy such as Jawbreakers, licorice and gummy bears. 

As guests enter, they journey through 12 interactive rooms each with a different theme. You see everything from Lisa Frank unicorns to a Frida Kahlo self-portrait and parrots and zebras, too.

A Bird’s-Eye View: A parrot made of candy sits on its perch at the Miami Sweet exhibit in Aventura. DELFINA RAFFETTI/THE REPORTER

 “I want our guests to feel good,” said Jackie Sorkin, the founder of Miami Sweet. “I created Miami Sweet so our guests can experience being a child again, have happy moments and relive their childhood fun. To create moments and memories of joy. This pandemic hit everyone hard, so I wanted to remind them that happiness is back and that it’s okay for us to live, laugh and smile again.”

Each room also hints at Sorkin’s profound love for Miami. You have a portrait featuring rapper and singer Pitbull, another recreating Miami artist Britto’s famous hearts series and one of the most eye-catching pieces is an homage to fashion designer Gianni Versace, who lived in Miami Beach.

But make no mistake, candy is the calling card at this unique exhibit.

A life-size llama on display required 8,700 pieces of candy and 158 man-hours to build. The Frida Kahlo portrait took more than 3,000 pieces of candy and 255 hours to complete.

All of the artwork is covered in shellac to preserve it.

Visitors can also enjoy various Instagram-worthy photo ops at the exhibit. Whether it’s posing with a giraffe made out of jelly beans or falling into a pool of pineapple-shaped plushies, the perfect picture opportunity awaits you. 

And before leaving, guests can shop at Miami Sweet’s candy store.

Throughout the venue, CDC protocols are followed including floor markings for social distancing and contactless payment options. Rooms are sanitized every other day and surfaces are cleaned regularly by staff.

Face coverings are not required for those who are fully vaccinated, but they are encouraged for those who are not. 

Miami Sweet runs through Feb. 26, 2022. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. General admission is $29. 

To purchase tickets, click here.

Very Touchy: A young visitor at the Miami Sweet exhibition touches one of the colorful portraits. DELFINA RAFFETTI/THE REPORTER