The Coconut Grove Arts Festival begins on Saturday, Feb. 15 and continues through Monday, Feb. 19. This year marks the 61st year for the festival. (Photo courtesy of CGAF)
For 61 years, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival (CGAF), presented by First Horizon Bank, has been celebrating the dynamic intersection of community, culture, and self-expression.
This three day outdoor experience begins on Saturday, Feb. 15 through Monday, Feb. 17.
The annual event is consistently ranked among the nation’s top art festivals.
With 285 internationally acclaimed artists, the festival celebrates creativity, where art, community, and inspiration converge.
According to Camille Marches, the executive director of the CGAF, buying art at an outdoor arts festival is a uniquely enriching experience that connects you to the vibrant world of creativity in an intimate and personal way. Surrounded by fresh air, stunning scenery, and the buzz of cultural exchange, people can meet talented artists face-to-face, hear the stories behind their work, and witness firsthand the passion and craftsmanship that goes into each piece.
“Every purchase becomes more than just acquiring a beautiful object it’s an investment in individuality, a support for creative livelihoods, and a meaningful memento of a shared artistic moment,” said Marchese.
Unlike hobbyists, the artists featured at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival are full-time professionals who rely on their art to support themselves and their families. This year’s festival brings together painters, sculptors, photographers, mixed-media artists, and more, all with compelling stories to share and extraordinary works to offer.
Spotlight on This Year’s Artists
The 61st Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival is proud to feature an incredible roster of artists with unique styles and stories.
Here's a small sampling:
Eric Gonzalez (Painting) - Booth 930: A painter from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who does miniature paintings with a fine-tipped brush and without magnification. Website | Instagram
Painting by Eric Gonzalez from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Janina Ellis (Painting) - Booth 637: An award-winning oil painter living in Greenville, S.C., who has painted thousands of individual people. She studied classical painting and drawing in Germany. Website | Instagram
Nicholas Barnes (Wood) - Booth 917: He begins by collecting wood from his Appalachian home and creating woodturning that undergoes Wood Cloisonné. Website | Instagram
Nicholas Barnes begins by collecting wood from his Appalachian home.
Jeff Schaller (Painting) - Booth 834: Using acrylic paints, Schaller weaves lost and found images and words to paint with precision and intricacy. Website | Instagram
Kenneth Kudulis (Digital Art) - Booth 228: A digital artist blending layers and textures to create depth. Website | Instagram
Lydia Randolph (Painting) - Booth 601E: Inspired by masters like Gauguin and Cassatt, her works are reminiscent of stained glass. Website | Instagram
Painter Lydia Randolph is inspired by masters like Gauguin and Cassatt.
Ruben Medina (Sculpture) - Booth 809: A Cuban sculptor specializing in marble and bronze. Website | Instagram
Ruben Dario Medina creates intricate sculpture.
Jay McDougall (Wood) - Booth 318C: A Minnesota-based artist working with sustainable materials. Website | Instagram
Kiersten Heitmann (Fiber) - Booth 410, 411: A Naples-based artist creating mosaic-like fiber art. Website | Instagram
Melanie Schlossberg (Jewelry) - Booth 936: Traditional techniques are used to fabricate one-of-a-kind, small-batch silver jewelry using hand-cut, wisely collected natural and artificial materials. Website | Instagram
Marlene Rose (Glass Sculpture) - Booth 505, 506: Known for her sand-cast glass art. Website | Instagram
Marlene Rose is known for her sand-cast glass art.
Thomas Wargin (Sculpture) - Booth 701, 702E: Known for animated carved wood sculptures, Wargin has a rich background and diverse client base. Website | Instagram
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: The 61st Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 17
WHERE: 2700 S. Bayshore Drive, Miami.The Festival is located just south of downtown Miami, adjacent to beautiful Biscayne Bay. It runs along the streets of McFarlane Road, South Bayshore Drive and Pan American Drive.
TICKETS: $35.64 in advance, $40.64 at the door, $40.68 Valentine's Day 2-for-1 valid any day, $178.64, collectors' club VIP tickets,
INFO: 305-447-0401 or cgaf.com/
