Coconut Grove Arts Festival spotlights 380 artists

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival returns Feb. 18-20 for its 54th year, highlighting the works of 380 artists.
This year’s show will include works in mixed media, paintings, photography, digital art, printmaking & drawing, watercolor, clay works, glass, fiber, jewelry & metalwork, sculpture and wood pieces.
“Over 11,000 to 15,000 applicants apply yearly,” said Monty Trainer, president of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, which is narrowed down to 380 artists by five judges during a two-day period.
In addition to all of the art, this year’s festival will feature a new method of transportation known as the Art Express.
Guests can take the Metrorail and arrive at the Douglas Road station at 3060 SW 37th Court and get picked up by the Art Express bus, which will take guests to and from the festival.
Another transportation service that’s available for guests is the green mobility free bike valet.
Last year over 500 bikes used the valet service said Mr. Trainer who expects over 1,000 bikes to be valeted at this year’s festival.
Another addition to this year’s art show is its family fun zone at Regatta Park.
“We have done away with the ziplines, rides and bounce houses and are going to have a very active kids area,” said Mr. Trainer. “The festival was becoming too much of a carnival and not enough of an art show.”
Children will be able to watch performances by the National Danish Tumbling Team, participate in hands-on activities with the Miami FC soccer team and more.
The festival will also feature a cooking demonstration by Chef Pepín as he attempts to cook the world’s largest arroz con pollo, said Mr. Trainer, which will then be boxed up and given to the Camillus House shelter for the homeless.
Another way the festival gives back to the community is through its young talent scholarships.
All profits from the festival go into young talent scholarships, which provide an average of $5,000 in cash scholarships to two students from five art magnet schools in Miami-Dade County.
Last year the festival earned $40,000 to $55,000, said Mr. Trainer, which all went to scholarships and buying art supplies for schools.
The festival will also allow students from the New World School of the Arts to sell their work for $100 to art festival patrons, with $50 going to the students and the other $50 going back to the school.
Festival tickets range from $15 per person per day. Children 12 years and under, Metrorail Golden Passport holders and Patriot Passport holders can attend free.
All Coconut Grove residents in the 33133 zip code can attend for $5 per person per day. Proof of residency will be required.

Details: http://www.cgaf.com/.