Biggest week
JUMAANE N’NAMDI • N'Namdi Contemporary Fine Art
WORK • Thursday Routine
JUMAANE N’NAMDI • gallery director • N'Namdi Contemporary Fine Art
Neighborhood you work in: Little Haiti
Neighborhood you live in: Miami Shores
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I’m producing a number of films, so my inbox is filled with questions and follow ups from my production staff. Once I have them on task, I head to the gallery. Before I can really get my day started, I pick up seafood soup from Adelita’s Cafe in Little Haiti – it’s a must. I’ll then revert to my gallery manager, Nikki, to review action items for the day. We’ll strategize on future exhibitions, servicing collectors, and schedule any necessary vendor visitations.
What’s on the agenda for today?
I have a photoshoot of my personal art collection with my photographer, Aisha Ali. But first, I’ll have lunch with my wife Lauren at LOVE ‘N GYROS in Wynwood. Besides that, I’m preparing for the biggest week in Miami for the arts, Miami Art Week. However, at 7:30p, I’ll get a nice massage from Nathalie Ann at Sana Mundo.
Any bar or restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I like to visit Red Rooster in Overtown. It’s a high-end restaurant with a homey feel. They have a nice bar scene and a pool hall upstairs that I can enjoy from the evening into the late night. One of the owners, Derek, always hooks it up for me and my clients.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I like to alternate daily between golf in Miami Shores with my coach Sebastian or the Pickleballin’ Lifestyle Club for a little two-on-two and a good workout. I am also a season ticket holder with the Miami Dolphins. I love going to games with my family. My wife and I enjoy a nice nude dip at Haulover Beach. My kids Nataki and Shola love the soft serve at Peel in Miami Shores after a day at the Pérez Art Museum Miami.
Any weekend getaways?
The Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hard Rock is a great spot for a nice pool day or to catch a good concert. And you can’t go wrong with a couple’s staycation at The Standard to really unwind at the Lido Spa.
What was your last great vacation?
We took our kids to Paris for their birthdays this past May. They got to experience Disneyland Paris, shopping and dining in Montmartre, and the Eiffel Tower. We also connected with our family friend, Valarie Louder. She’s an art student at The Beaux-Arts de Paris and painted a portrait of us to commemorate our vacation. The final stop was rooftop lunch at Georges in The Centre Pompidou. Curator Philippe Bettinelli gave us a behind-the-scenes look at where I will be putting pieces from my collection in their Paris Noir exhibition opening in March 2025.