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Simone Cook
Black art in all its many forms took center stage at Unc’s Arte Haus during Miami Art Basel weekend. The collaboration came to life thanks to McDonald’s and Arte Haus Studios—a creative collective founded by Kendall Hurns and dedicated to elevating emerging Black artists. The duo brought four days of programming and parties that intentionally showcased Black artistry across disciplines: culinary excellence, visual art, music, and comedy. The Basel showcase featured Chef Kwame Onwuachi, Jeezy, Deon Cole, and a roster of Black artists, both emerging and established, plus other notable names.
“The combination of food, culture, and community—you can’t beat that,” said Hurns about the immersive events that centered Black creativity and storytelling. For Hurns, who worked at McDonald’s as his first job, the collaboration was a full circle moment. “To be showcasing all of these artists here at Art Basel, which is like our big moment as a company, is incredible.”
Unc’s Arte Haus—a fusion of McDonald’s “Unc” character and Arte Haus Studios’ creative vision—served as the conceptual and physical home for two of the main events: Unc’s Family Dinner & Roast and Unc’s Backyard Brunch. Together, the companies brought the concept of a backyard jam for Black creatives to life, ensuring every detail, from the venue (The Carter Project) to the artists showcased, was intentionally Black. “When we proposed the house to McDonald’s, it all made sense,” Hurns explained.
The events kicked off on Wednesday, with a VIP opener at Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Miami outpost, Las Lap. The intimate venue set the tone for the weekend ahead, expertly showcasing food, art, culture, and community.
Friday night, the energy shifted to “Unc’s Haus” for a good ole’ Family Dinner & Roast. The evening of comedy was led by Deon Cole and friends, with live music, a live podcast hosted by Kenny Burns and ElevatHers, plus McDonald’s remixed dishes curated by Chef Nancie and Kimmy’s Kreations.
Throughout the Haus, the work of local and global artists—such as Hebru Brantley, Howard D. Simmons, Shani Crowe, and Harold Caudio—was also on display, paired with QR codes that let guests explore the collection and support the artists directly. This innovative direct-to-collector approach is especially important in a landscape where Black artists are still fighting for permanent space. Recent data revealed that despite the hype around Black artistry, only 2.2% of acquisitions at major U.S. museums between 2008 and 2020 were works by Black American artists. “All Black creatives getting to highlight their work—the artwork is incredible,” Hurns said. “McDonald’s using their platform to highlight them says a ton, because creatives need that exposure.”
On Saturday, Unc’s Backyard Brunch switched to a more serene scene, featuring smooth jazz and elevated cuisine by Chef Kwame. In his introduction to the crowd, Chef described his work as creating “edible art”, a fitting description for the spread he prepared. The menu, which featured a spiced avocado toast, shrimp and grits, BBQ collard greens, and jerk bacon, showcased his cultural heritage in edible form. “Everything is rooted in kind of like my culture– so my family is Nigerian, Jamaican, Trinidad, and Creole from Louisiana,” Chef Kwame explained. “You always see those influences in my food.”
His remixed McDonald’s Spice Bag—a London-inspired dish featuring fries and chicken tossed with toasted curry powder, his signature all-purpose seasoning, cilantro, lemon, jerk barbecue, and green aioli—really brought that cultural fusion to life.
For Chef Kwame, the collaboration also held deep personal significance. “My first job was McDonald’s in the Bronx, and it taught me a lot of the ethos of just working hard, the building blocks of structure and how that’s really, really important,” he shared. “I’m one in eight people who have worked at McDonald’s or their first job was McDonald’s, and I’m grateful to have been there. It means a lot more to me because I have been there.”
Saturday’s brunch wasn’t just about food. Guests also indulged in custom hat embroidery, photo moments with Lenny S’ iconic ‘Gold Standard’ sofa, live portraits, caviar bumps, and a soundtrack curated by DJ Fly Guy. But the energy peaked when Jeezy took the stage alongside FAMU’s legendary Marching 100. Saturday night’s Snack Wrap Let-Out at Wynwood Marketplace brought the weekend to a climactic close, bringing nostalgic college party vibes with performances by Young Joc and Case.
Beyond the celebrity names and Instagramable moments, Unc’s Arte Haus proved that centering Black creativity can result in something truly unforgettable. The entire weekend was testament that the real impact happens when cultural appreciation translates into actionable support. In a landscape where Black artists continue to fight for representation in museums and galleries, backing Black art means engaging with, sharing and purchasing Black art, because Black art and artists deserve to be celebrated, collected, and compensated. This weekend long collaboration between McDonald’s and Arte Haus studios served as a perfect platform for just that.