MIAMI—With the siren call of Miami's temptations seemingly ever-present, it’s not always easy to find the motivation to see actual art. However, most of the art world’s star members seemed more than able to summon the determination needed to make it to the fairs and museums that had flung their doors open to accommodate the international mass that had assembled in the winter art capital this week.

At the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami, artists came out en masse to mingle with the museum’s choice new exhibition, “The Reach of Realism,” and patrons lured by the Vanity Fair party held to celebrate the week’s festivities. British artist Adam McEwen, looking typically nonchalant, posed for photos next to his large photos of cigarettes, which are featured in the show.

Other artists with work in the show made appearances, as well, including Martin Soto Climent, Matt Keegan, and former gallerist Sara VanDerBeek, who brandished a leopard print clutch in one hand. Theo Wenner, son of Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner, was also on hand, along with another famous junior, Vito Schnabel, who has been putting in a breathtaking performance on the Miami circuit this week.

Meanwhile, Chuck Close joined in conversation with MOCA chief curator Bonnie Clearwater and fellow painters April Gornik and Eric Fischl, whose new show of paintings of bull fights at Mary Boone’s Chelsea branch has been receiving positive buzz. Fischl made the rounds in Miami, but had to rush back to New York, where he was scheduled to present Pratt Institute’s 16th annual president’s lecture on Thursday evening.

The only person looking more relaxed than Fischl was probably Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who was the guest of honor at a dinner hosted by Art Basel directors Annette Schoenholzer and Marc Spiegler at the W Hotel on Wednesday night. Despite lingering physical and political repercussions of a beating at the hands of Chinese police, Weiwei looked no worse for wear, mingling with Miami power collectors Mera and Donald Rubell, among the other A-list collectors at the feast.

Earlier that day at the fair, every branch of the celebrity world had passed through the halls of the Miami Beach Convention Center, including tennis star and one-time gallerist John McEnroe, Miami Beach mayor Matti Bower, and entertainment impresario Pharell Williams (who graces the cover of Modern Painters this month). Steve Wynn, the casino king of Macau, held court among collectors and an old friend who has become a regular fixture at events this week. “Ain't no surprise in the club to see Sly Stallone,” Will Smith pointed out in his 1998 hit “Miami,” before providing a perfect summation to a glorious week still not yet complete: “Miami, my second home.”