Art Basel supporters

Norman Braman’s June 15 Reader’s Forum letter overlooks key individuals responsible for bringing Art Basel to Miami Beach. Prominent art collector Mera Rubell first brought then Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) director Lorenzo Rudolph and his assistant, Samuel Keller, to meet with me when I was Mayor about establishing the show here. It was one of two meetings Mera arranged between me and Rudolph early on.

Sergio Rodriguez, then city manager, and then Commissioner Nancy Liebman, who was a strong and continuous advocate, supported the initial efforts to attract ABMB.

The city manager at that time was Larry Levy and changes to the convention center booking policy necessary to accommodate the show for three years were supported by Miami Beach City Commissioners Liebman, Jose Smith and Simon Cruz. Prominent local art collectors led by Braman, including Rubell and Craig Robins, advocated for the change in city policy.

Neisen Kasdin, Miami

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