The Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2024 Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary

Presidents’ Weekend is one of the biggest weekends of the year in Coconut Grove. For the last 60 years, this is the weekend of the annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival, the three-day festival that celebrates world class art.

Over the years, it has expanded to recognize culinary displays, live performances and other forms of art that add additional color and flavor to South Florida.

This year’s celebration kicks off on Friday, February 17th and runs through Monday, the 19th throughout our charming waterfront village. Here is a summary of what to expect…

The Annual Commemorative Poster

One of the top traditions with the Coconut Grove Arts Festival is the annual choosing of the commemorative poster. Each year, a contest is held for the design of the official poster with the winner typically paying homage to something in Coconut Grove’s rich history. This year is no different. Signe & Genna Grushovenko’s entry was chosen, with its midcentury-based feel and honoring the original location of Monty’s, which is an institution here in The Grove.

Coconut Grove Art Festival 60th Anniversary 2024

Coconut Grove Art Festival 60th Anniversary Commemorative Poster 2024

The Festival’s Art

What started as a small community event is now heralded as one of the nation’s premier art festivals. Over 280 jury-selected artists that are internationally recognized will display their works along the Biscayne Bay waterfront with special events and culinary experiences peppered throughout for the whole family.

Booths are set up along the streets throughout the waterfront parks in Coconut Grove, making for a leisurely stroll as you peruse a variety of types of art. You are able to interact with the artists themselves and choose pieces to purchase.

A list of the chosen artists can be found here, along with their chosen media. You can also find links to their websites in order to preview the offerings.

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2024 Map

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2024 Map

Additional Experiences

In addition to the art, the festival offers many other immersive opportunities for patrons to enjoy themselves. This year, the Arts and Drafts Beer Garden is being brought to you by La Rubia Pale Ale. You can visit this area to enjoy a craft beer while watching local artists create live works of art inside Peacock Park.

For those with an empty stomach, Flavors of the Grove is convening 10 top-tier restaurants to present a signature dish. Guests will cast a vote based upon taste, creativity, presentation and overall appeal, ultimately choosing the standout dish of the festival.

Immersive experiences are not limited to adults either. The interactive Inner Artists Space encourages kids of all ages to unleash their creativity through a host of events. They will have giveaways, coloring, and Color Boom’s face painting.

For future artists and collectors, there is the Young Collector’s Club. For $5, your child can choose their first work of art to begin their own collection. A rainbow of supplies will be on hand for young artists to experiment with the core principles of art in the Creative Corner.

Coconut Grove Art Festival Young Collectors Club 2024

Coconut Grove Art Festival Young Collectors Club 2024

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2024 Creative Corner

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2024 Creative Corner

Tickets can be purchased online at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival’s website, or at the entry. They start at $25 for general admission (ages 13+) up to $165 for VIP admission. VIP tickets include a commemorative poster as well as an open bar with hors d’oeuvres, private lounge with air conditioning and restrooms, lounge seating and a VIP collectable badge. Kids under 12 receive complimentary entry.

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is produced by the nonprofit, Coconut Grove Arts and Historical Association. Proceeds help fund year-round arts programs. Since 1963, the association has awarded hundreds of scholarships to students who attend fine arts programs in local schools. 

Image Credit: Coconut Grove Arts Festival

Review: The Coconut Grove Art Festival 2023 Is Better Than Ever

 
It is finally here! We made some time today to visit the 59th Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival with the family; it was an amazing time for all. Here is what we discovered.

For starters, this year’s festival is bigger than ever. The theme is “a different kind of hue” with a nod to Coconut Grove’s renaissance over recent years. The festival also is experiencing a renaissance, beginning with the artists themselves. The organizers were encouraged to find a different kind of hue in the artists that were invited to show. In order to accomplish this, over 1,000 artists submitted their applications to a panel of judges who were blind to the artists’ background, name or any other identifying information. They looked at the work alone in order to be sure and have plenty of fresh faces this year.

The strategy worked, as the art displayed came from all over. Our personal favorite was Kaiser Suidan from Next Step Studio and Gallery with a series of fun wall sculptures that are sure to become conversation pieces. We chose one for the bar area in our home and are very excited to have it installed. One of Kaiser’s pieces is pictured above, and here is another one.

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2023 Kaiser Suidan

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2023 Kaiser Suidan

In order to encourage a different type of hue in art collectors, the Young Collector’s Club has been expanded. There are plenty of activities for the junior collectors and artists alike with a watercoloring station, and the special Young Collector’s Club tent where artists have donated pieces for children to be able to purchase. They are able to enter the tent and choose their first work that is affordable enough for the kiddos to make their first purchase.

Our little one wasn’t quite big enough yet to make her first choice, but she was all-in for the watercolors and the overall vibe of the outing.

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2023 Young Collectors

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2023 Young Collectors

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2023 Sculptures

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2023 Sculptures

Speaking of the vibe, what an excellent weekend to hold an event like this! With the sun shining and temperatures resting in the high 70’s, it is a perfect weekend to be outdoors. The venue is nestled between the beautiful condo towers and the Biscayne Bay, offering plenty of space to wander and browse, taking your time and also enjoying people-watching but not so many people that you feel cramped and rushed. It is very pleasant this year.

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2023 Park Grove

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2023 Park Grove

The organizers had promised expanded food and beverage choices and boy did they deliver. There were countless food trucks and vendors with a grassy picnic area or covered picnic tables. The perfect weather played up to this aspect very nicely as well. Our personal favorite was Pig Floyd’s BBQ. It was our first time to try it and we found the menu to be culturally inclusive with all sorts of offerings. They are based in Palmetto Bay and were voted “Best BBQ in Miami” for a reason. Their offerings take a long time on the smoker, so they can and will run out. Try to visit earlier rather than later.

After the BBQ experience, we tested out several different types of churros. They were all amazing. All of the others we visited with really enjoyed their selections as well, even a quick hot dog.

Really the only thing to remember before attending the Art Festival is that this is one of the busier weekends in Miami as a whole. In a city where there is always something to do, this weekend can be a bit of overload for our roadways. Traffic can be frustrating if you don’t plan ahead or already live in Coconut Grove. If you are free tomorrow (Sunday, February 19) or Monday, we definitely recommend a stop at the Coconut Grove Art Festival to see for yourself why it is already in the “Top 5 Best Outdoor Art Festivals” in the nation.

Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2023 | Young Collectors’ Club + Exclusive Discounts

 
As the 59th Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival draws closer, more details have emerged regarding new attractions to expect, including where to stay. As we previously mentioned, this year’s selection committee is set to expand the yearly festival and claim the top spot of Best Outdoor Art Festivals in the United States, a race where we currently are ranked in 5th place. This year’s theme of “a different type of hue” is even a testament to the renaissance that is currently being experienced in our quirky and much-loved community.

Several changes have been made including the artist selection process itself, which we discussed last week. In order to guarantee that new artists have an equal chance at displaying their work as the local household names, this year’s selection process was undertaken by a blind jury. From over 1,000 applicants, the 285 that were chosen include many new faces for the 2023 show.

This year, organizers are also promoting early collector curating with the Young Collector’s Club. In this attraction, young collectors aged 5 and up are able to enter an art tent without their parents in tow in order to make their own choice for their first original piece of art. Over 100 artists have generously donated pieces to this experience, with all proceeds going toward the Coconut Grove Art Festival Scholarship Fund. Last year, this fund was able to provide $50,000 in assistance to local students. The pieces in the Young Collector’s Club are offered for just $5, making it attainable to the kiddos.

Mayfair House Lobby Coconut Grove

Mayfair House Lobby Coconut Grove

Also embracing the new and improved Art Festival is The Mayfair House at 3000 Florida Avenue in the heart of Coconut Grove. Not only are they festival sponsors, they are showcasing their recent renovation by offering special discounts to festival attendees, which can be found here. Use the access code GROVE to lock in your discounted rate.

The 59th Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival will run during Presidents’ Day weekend from 10am-6pm. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased on the official Coconut Grove Arts Festival Website. We hope to see you there!

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival’s Official 2023 Poster Pays Homage To Dinner Key

 
The 59th Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival is upon us in just three short weeks. It is currently ranked as the 5th best outdoor arts festival in the United States, which is certainly a great accomplishment but not enough to satiate the ambitions of our organizers. In 2023, we are upping the ante in an effort to become #1.

To accomplish this, organizers made some tweaks to the selection process that decides which artists are invited to take part in the festival, new attractions are being added (which we will get into more deeply on another day), and we have new commemorative artwork to mark the occasion. Here is the official poster for the 2023 Coconut Grove Art Festival, and it has a special meaning to our quirky and cool community.

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2023 Poster

Coconut Grove Art Festival 2023 Poster

“I love to create work that expresses movement and energy, and have been working with some really vibrant color palettes recently, and I think this piece combines all of those elements into an image that captures the history and vitality of the neighborhood that the show has called home for so many years,” said artist Benjamin Frey about his work in a Facebook announcement.

While all of these things are certainly true, we love how Frey threw it all the way back to the days of the early 20th Century in the Grove. This was back when Dinner Key housed one of the first aviation hubs in the country. Visitors would flock from all over to capture a glimpse (and maybe a ride) in one of the new “Sky Boats.” Don’t laugh, you would have called them something similar if you had never seen a seaplane before. If you would like to have a modern version of this experience, the new Bayshore Club at Regatta Harbour plays to this theme throughout the restaurant, offering spectacular views, an amazing fresh menu and nuggets of Grove history scattered throughout the experience.

Coconut Grove Seaplanes Dinner Key History

Coconut Grove Seaplanes Dinner Key History

For those who did not attend the semester on Coconut Grove’s rich history, Dinner Key was once a small island in the bay, but was joined to the mainland in WWI in order to provide a Navy training facility. After the war, the facility was destroyed by the great hurricane of 1926. In its place a new facility was opened to accommodate non-commercial flights, eventually expanding to be the PanAm International Airport, which serviced flights from the United States to South America. You see, we have always been an international hub!

Once WWII was in full-swing, Dinner Key was requisitioned by the Navy once more and PanAm’s operations were moved to Miami International Airport, which was known at the time as PanAmerican Field. Ironically, the final flight PanAM made to Dinner Key took place on the same day that the atomic bomb ended the war, August 9, 1945.

The storied terminal is now the site of Miami City Hall. Grove Key Marina still utilizes the original hangars.

Copies of this piece of work can be purchased at the festival, or online in the coming weeks. Tickets to the festival start at $20, up to $250 for a 3-day VIP pass and can be purchased here.

Inside The Selection Process For The Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2023

 
Well, we made it through January in Coconut Grove, so you all know what that means. It’s time to start looking forward to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival! The 59th Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival is scheduled to take place February 18, 19, and 20th at 2700 South Bayshore Drive.

This year, artists were encouraged to highlight “a different type of hue.” But how do they do this? And how is it decided which artists will be showing at this year’s festival?

The Coconut Grove Art Festival is led by executive director Camille Marchese, who relies upon the support of the Art Festival president Monty Trainer as well as a board of directors. Together, they have implemented a new strategy for this year’s selection process.

“I want the discerning collector to understand this is a highly curated show,” Marchese said in a press release. “While Miami is the greatest place in the world for this show, the reach, talent, and expression of this show goes far beyond our area.”

A body of jurists has been built, comprised of renowned artists and industry veterans from all over the United States who all share the same passion for art and strive to expand the prestige of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival further than it currently is. As ambitious as the task sounds, the festival is already ranked in the top 5 outdoor art festivals in the nation, so we have already earned a great deal of respect in creative circles everywhere.

The new curation process is completely blind. None of the judges is informed of the name, location, ethnicity or race of any artist who submits their work. This keeps the playing field fair for all, and qualms concerns that the festival is nothing more than a showcase of regional talent (although we are flattered that critics recognize how plentiful our home turf is with amazing artistic talent).

Beginning May 2022, each submission from over 1,000 artists was reviewed and scored by the judges. The scores ultimately determined who is invited to show at the festival and there is room for 285 artists. There are more than a dozen categories, which include mixed media in 2D or in 3D, clay, glass, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, sculpture, woodworking, watercolor and print-making.

“We wanted to make sure we had the most critical eyes evaluating the submissions,” Marchese continued. “Being selected for a fine art festival is competitive and we’re proud to have the best talents and thinkers in the art world joining us in this process.”

The jury is comprised of 5 participants from across the country, each being a professional expert in their field and a true believer in the mission of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival.

“In the end, our commitment is to produce the No. 1 art festival in the country. Our director is a true believer in the mission of the Coconut Grove Art Festival,” Trainer said. “And being No. 1 means that we have a show based on artistic excellence, a show that is representative of diverse styles and techniques with a broad range of pricing with artists from around the world. There truly will be something for everyone.”

The 59th Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival will run during Presidents’ Day weekend from 10am-6pm. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased on the official Coconut Grove Arts Festival Website.

Miami’s Hottest Neighborhood Once More – Inside Coconut Grove’s Renaissance

 
Emerging from its chrysalis, Coconut Grove is embracing its time in the limelight once more. Not only has the haven of foliage been named one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world by Timeout.com,  The Hollywood Reporter gives additional details on how the sleepy enclave has re-emerged as a modern hotspot after decades on the sidelines.

Imagine a quiet neighborhood that is located along a bay or harbor covered by a beautiful canopy of native trees and tropical flowers. There is a highway system nearby, making a trip out of the enclave quick and painless. You are surrounded by chic restaurants, a walkable entertainment district and a few beautiful residential and office towers designed by world-renowned starchitects. Prices are reasonable despite the fact that you also have historic waterfront estates that are luxurious enough for A-list celebrities while also being low-key enough for those who shy away from the limelight. The local school system is such that new residents position their purchases within bounds of the district just so their children are able to obtain a top-notch education in a tight-knit community. In addition to the internationally-focused public school, there are also a host of nationally-recognized top private schools to choose from. It is a place of security, luxury, and convenience without having to sacrifice personality. Quirkiness is encouraged and embraced. I have just described Coconut Grove. 

Coconut Grove, Florida

Coconut Grove, Florida

The Hollywood Reporter cites the prominence of Coconut Grove as being due to the village’s walkability. While this is a top factor in the draw to the neighborhood, it does not tell the whole story. Everything started with the renovation of CocoWalk, which began in 2015 when the outdoor entertainment area sold for $87.5 million. The new owners did away with the tired chain stores such as Cheesecake Factory, Victoria’s Secret and GAP, paving the way for a new era with $150 million of upgrades and modernization. At the time, we recognized that this was a much needed transition and today we are ever so proud of the results in the neighborhood we call home.

The renovation has proven to be successful, ushering in a new era for our peaceful community. As we still call the Grove home, our family is never at a loss for things to do. We can walk with our toddler-age daughter to the bayfront for any number of activities. There are always festivals and events such as the King Mango Strut, which made it’s post-COVID return last week and the Coconut Grove Arts Festival (coming up next month, stay tuned for details!).

Rather than eating from the same menu you might find in suburban Ohio, you will find a wide range of sophisticated fare from around the globe, and in proper form too! Two of the Grove’s popular eateries have recently received a Michelin Star. Los Felix offers indigenously-inspired bites of traditional Mexican recipes just around the corner from Coco Walk, with Ariete offering a bold revolving menu that pays homage to the chef’s Cuban heritage with French cooking techniques just a few minutes away.

Ariete Coconut Grove

Ariete Coconut Grove

Aside from the Michelin-listed restaurants, there are a host of other creative and authentic eateries in the village. Residents enjoy Amal for Lebanese fusion, BAKAN for a culinary tour of all regions of Mexico, Narbona for an European market feel, and an afternoon at Regatta Harbour will take you on a tour of the history of Coconut Grove.

The Real Estate in Coconut Grove

You might be wondering where all of these new Groveites are living. As it is our business, we stay on the cutting edge of all things residential in the Grove. We love making neighbors and seeing the community grow.

In the beginning, Coconut Grove was a cozy little community of Bahamian settlers, which is the reason that you will find many Bahamian-inspired homes in the area. As it became more settled in the 70’s and 80’s, townhomes began to pop up throughout the area with stately mansions lining the deep bayfront lots.

Today’s Grove has embraced this history and added a splash of modern appeal. Many of the original (non-historic) townhomes have been redeveloped into modern style with clean lines and energy and space-efficient designs. Condo towers began to pop up and have attracted luxury brands such as the Ritz Carlton and Mr. C Hotel and Residences. Starchitects arrived with cutting edge designs including the twisting towers of Grove at Grand Bay and the glistening amenity-filled Park Grove Residences. Boutique waterfront developments such as The Fairchild Coconut Grove and Residences of Vizcaya brought peace and tranquility to nearby waterfront sites. A-list celebrities, world-renowned artists, sports pros and international business executives live, work and play among the locals and all is well in the world in Coconut Grove.

We know because we live it every day. We embrace our community during its ups and downs and happily create neighbors, especially when the climate in Coconut Grove is as nice as it is today.

If you are interested in learning more about life in Coconut Grove, please contact Michael Light, Grove resident as well as Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman Real Estate. We would love to have you as a neighbor.

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is Back and Better Than Ever!

 
What a weekend for a festival! They call days like these “Chamber of Commerce days” because they are perfect for enticing people to move their families and businesses to Miami, and our city certainly is showing off this weekend. The weather is in the low 70’s, sunny and breezy and the 58th Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival is THE place to be this weekend if you’re looking for something fun, family friendly and chic all at the same time.

Before we get into the photos from the event, tickets to the festival are still available. The 1-day pass can be purchased for just $20, or the family pass for $30 right here, and the festival will continue through the day tomorrow (February 21). Tickets are available at the door, just they are more expensive.

Over 300 of the most talented and creative artists from around the globe are being showcased, and the artist of the year is LEBO. He was chosen to design this year’s promotional poster. Ketel One is sponsoring the VIP Collector’s Club with complimentary cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, private restrooms, an art concierge all in an air conditioned area separate from the masses… If that’s what you’re into.

So with all of that being said, let’s have a look at how you could spend your President’s Day tomorrow!

Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2022 Turnout

Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2022 Turnout

Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2022

Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2022

Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2022 VIP

Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2022 VIP

 

Inside the 58th Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2022

 
The 58th annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival is finally back at full capacity this Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 19, 20 and 21st 2022! This highly-celebrated, 3-day festival brings the most talented and creative artists from all over the globe right here to our very own backyard displaying an eclectic variety of visual, culinary and performing arts.

About the Coconut Grove Arts Festival:

“The Coconut Grove Arts Festival® is the art event of the year. Our three-day outdoor art festival focuses on one thing: world-class art. But we are not just about art though…we offer something for everyone with culinary displays, live performances, and family areas to keep your team busy while you peruse all the art! (Shhh, that’s our secret) Held every Presidents’ Day Weekend, the Arts Festival is one of the nation’s premier arts festivals and is hosted right here in the charming waterfront village of Coconut Grove. More than 300 internationally-recognized and jury-selected artists showcase their spectacular works with Biscayne Bay as the backdrop. We invite you to visit the Arts Festival this February and learn why we’ve been at the top of everyone’s list for 58 years.”

*Special discounts will be offered to Grove residents (33133 zip code), active military and veterans*

-This years event poster was created by local artist, LEBO-

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