Bal Harbour Village transformed into a spectacle of soccer and sport as it welcomed guests to Bal Harbour Shops for an exclusive cocktail reception to celebrate the unveiling of 12 Pentagons, a large-scale immersive installation by internationally recognized British multidisciplinary artist and football designer Jon-Paul Wheatley.
Notable attendees included Jon-Paul Wheatley, Lisa DiCicco Cahue, Patrick Van Negri, Tina Stuck, Gianfranco Berardinelli, Sara Liss, Sabrina Boasman, Elizabeth Minett, Maggie Lawson, Karen Huggins, and more.
Set against the lush surroundings of Bal Harbour Shops, the evening began in the destination's iconic Center Courtyard, where attendees gathered for a first look at the installation's monumental oversized soccer ball sculpture, inspired by Wheatley's acclaimed Badly Drawn Ball series. Guests mingled with the artist and enjoyed signature bites and cocktails from Slim's while exploring the larger-than-life artwork, which reimagines one of sport's most recognizable symbols through the lens of creativity, craftsmanship, and human imperfection. The unveiling offered an immersive introduction to the installation's celebration of art, design, and the global culture of soccer.
Now open to the public through June 28, the multi-week activation transforms Bal Harbour Shops into an interactive destination where art, craftsmanship, and sport converge as Miami welcomes one of the most anticipated moments in global soccer.
At the heart of the experience is a monumental oversized soccer ball sculpture installed within the iconic Center Courtyard of Bal Harbour Shops. Inspired by Wheatley's acclaimed Badly Drawn Ball series, the larger-than-life artwork creates a striking visual centerpiece while celebrating individuality, imagination, and community participation.
Developed through Wheatley's globally celebrated 12 Pentagons platform and inspired by hand-drawn soccer ball sketches submitted by individuals around the world, the installation invites visitors to engage directly with the creative process through an interactive digital experience where guests can create and contribute their own "badly drawn" soccer ball designs to an evolving global archive.
Unfolding across all three floors of the luxury shopping destination, the experience also features behind-the-scenes visual content documenting Wheatley's meticulous handcrafted process, alongside exclusive collectible merchandise, signed posters, and limited-edition offerings available throughout Bal Harbour Shops.
The unveiling marks the beginning of a multi-week cultural activation that positions Bal Harbour Village and Bal Harbour Shops at the intersection of contemporary art, luxury retail, and the global spirit of soccer, offering visitors an immersive experience that celebrates craftsmanship, community participation, and creative storytelling.
Following its presentation at Bal Harbour Shops, the larger-than-life sculpture will relocate to Bal Harbour Village Beach from July 1 through July 27, extending the installation's presence against Miami's iconic oceanfront backdrop, further connecting the worlds of contemporary art, destination-driven luxury, and global sport, as Bal Harbour Village celebrates its 80th anniversary.
Images courtesy of World Red Eye
