Style File: Museum Fun

WSVN -- A trip to the museum doesn't have to be all about art.

Catherine Prescott: "It's very calm, soothing, just an artsy atmosphere."

The Dynamo Cafe in the Wolfsonian Museum in South Beach is a dynamite place to spend an afternoon.

Cathy Leff, Director: "It's a surprise to people because it is so different."

The cafe exudes its own culture, surrounded by 19th Century library bookshelves and artwork created by the museum's staff. You can grab a book to thumb through or watch old black and white movies that run throughout the day.

Linda Zechel: "I come over here at least once a week, and a lot of times I come by myself, so I watch the old movies that they show."

The biggest draw at the cafe is the creative food catered daily by Lyon and Lyon and even a starving artist can afford it.

Cathy Leff: "Everyday there is a daily special in terms of a sandwich or salad, very reasonably priced at $10 a person. The best desserts in town, flavored teas, special coffees."

Anne: "The chocolate chip cookies are to die for."

There's also a great happy hour, and Fridays, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can walk through the museum for free. If you're looking for unique gifts, especially for the artsy types in your life, head over to the MOCA Shop at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami.

Bonnie Clearwater, MOCA, Executive Director: "We try to find things for the MOCA Shop that are really intriguing and appeal to people who are looking at contemporary art and are more adventurous."

They've got crafty trinkets you won't find anywhere else. The latest art, books, cards, even fun finger puppets for kids. We're told the biggest sellers are these figurine candles, and these eye-catching Iris Chase sunglasses.

Bonnie Clearwater: "Her wild sunglasses, which have all of these kitschy objects that relate to Miami Beach, have been very popular with people from Paris. I have a feeling there are all these people strolling the boulevards of Paris with these truly wild glasses."

For the more sophisticated style, wrap up with these scarves, which are handmade from vintage silk kimonos.

Bonnie Clearwater: "They're called Onomik, which is kimono spelled backward. She finds beautiful antique kimonos, which she takes apart and puts together different patterns."

Many of the items for sale are made by locals, like artist R. Grimes, whose designs you can now wear.

Bonnie Clearwater: "It's a way of supporting artists and making their work available in a different way, on T-shirts."

A great way to bring art into your everyday life. The MOCA Shop is stocking up for Art Basel. They tell us the art crowds wipe out the store during that time.

Dynamo Cafe & Gift Shop
1001 Washington Ave.
Miami Beach, Fla. 33139
305-535-1457 or 305-531-1001
www.wolfsonian.org

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
770 NE 125th St.
North Miami, Fla. 33161
305-893-6211
www.mocanomi.org