David and Lee Ann Lester, IFAE organizers and founders of the first Miami art fair in January 1991, announced a stimulating exhibitor line up and distinctive programs for the Miami International Art Fair (MIA).The Lesters continue the city’s 18 year tradition of bringing internationally renowned dealers exhibiting contemporary art, photography, works on paper, sculpture, installations, video and new electronic media to Miami, from January 7-10 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, with an opening preview party January 7.

Highlights of the fair include:

• Focus Argentina is a special exhibition spotlighting 18 contemporary Argentinean dealers as MIA celebrates the country’s bicentennial. Galleries will bring masters of the mid-twentieth century to emerging young artists of the moment. Classic Argentinean artists will be seen in the Pavilion, as well as contemporary creations by over 60 artists. The Fundacion Export AR has underwritten this exciting inaugural exhibition as part of a three-year program to expand the international market for Argentinean artists.

• The Next Generation Pavilion will be a curated section of young artists who are emerging on the global arts scene. The invitational pavilion showcases artists exploring art and culture using a wide range of innovative media including electronic installations, video, light and sound as well as more traditional materials. Isaac Perelman, Dot Fifty One Gallery (Miami), and Florencia Braga Menendez, Director of Museums in Argentina, will be serving as special guest curators. Artists to display in this pavilion include: Analia Bordenave and Reinaldo Sanguino courtesy of Dean Project (New York), and Pedro Morales, courtesy of Galería D'Museo (Caracas).

• Lyle O. Reitzel Gallery will feature a special exhibition titled, “Retrospective” by Cuban painter, Jose Bedia whose career was launched at Art Miami in 1991.

• Musical entertainment is also a part of the MIA program. Billboard award winner and Latin Grammy nominee Roberto Perera and Grammy nominee Bobby T take the stage together for two special performances. The Uruguay-native Perera is a master of the Paraguayan Harp, a 36-string traditional instrument that is also the national instrument of Paraguay, while Bobby T has carved out a niche as a renowned hand percussionist. The artists will perform together Saturday, Jan. 9 from 7-9 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 10 from 6-8 p.m. Fairgoers are invited to sip cocktails in MIA’s Center Court while taking in the distinctive music.

• A special installation by Federico Uribe, titled “Risk” featuring many pieces from his exhibitions “Pencilism” and “Human Nature,” last seen at The Chelsea Art Museum. Uribe, originally from Colombia, is a conceptual artist, living and working in Miami Beach. His work explores the language of pop art through the use of objects of daily life, but with a formal reference to the history and tradition of classical art. The exhibition is featured by Praxis International (New York, Buenos Aires, Miami).

• MIA is introducing an innovative fair lecture schedule featuring; Maxwell Anderson, director of Indiana Museum, formerly the Whitney Museum director; Mark Milloff, Dean of Rhode Island School of Design; and art historian and award winning New York cultural journalist Justo J. Sanchez.

“We are excited to bring a new, international art fair experience to a city with such a vibrant arts community,” said Lee Ann Lester. “MIA brings world-renowned dealers and artists to Miami for a memorable week of exhilarating art and festivities.”

MIA will kick off with a preview collector’s party, “Loving Art, Giving Life” benefit, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. SaludArte is sponsoring the party to promote the annual art auction that benefits the International Kids Fund (IKF) at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

To continue the Lesters’ long-standing tradition of community involvement, the “MIA Shares” program will donate all admission proceeds from the fair to local cultural and charitable organizations. Among the participating organizations are the SaludArte Foundation, the Jackson Memorial Foundation’s International Kids Fund (IKF), the Bakehouse Art Complex and Lotus House.

To attract a younger audience to the fair, MIA has announced the “Art Alive After Five” program. Fairgoers will pay just a $5 admission charge when they arrive after 5 pm.

Art Crush 2010 is an extensive schedule of citywide art walks, along with gallery and studio openings in conjunction with MIA. This annual event will open on the eve of the fair Thursday, Jan. 7 in Calle Ocho/Little Havana; Friday Jan. 8, in Coral Gables; and in Wynwood and the Design Districts on Saturday Jan. 9.