60 Years, 280 Artists, 15 Mediums
The Harmony of Creativity at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival

From the captivating lens of photography to the allure of innovative jewelry designs, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival emerges with the mission to reaffirm its standing as one of the nation's Top 10 festivals. Each medium serves as a brushstroke in the canvas of this celebration, an exploration of the limitless realms of artistic imagination and expression.

The 60th iteration of this highly frequented outdoor festival promises to display a diversity of styles, textures, media, colors, and cultures to fill the senses. Camille Marchese, the Executive Director of CGAF, sheds light on the curation process, explaining, "Our artists come from all around the globe and are carefully selected by a team of highly skilled art professionals." Five independent judges, from museum curators to art educators, converge to review each application, selecting artists based on the exceptional quality of their work. This rigorous selection process elevates the Coconut Grove Arts Festival into an unparalleled showcase of talent, where every piece tells a unique story and contributes to the festival's legacy.”

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is slated for Presidents’ Day Weekend on February 17, 18 and 19, 2024. General Admission and VIP Collector’s Club tickets have already gone on sale at: www.cgaf.com and start at $25 online.

Meet some of the diverse artists participating at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival:

NICHOLAS BARNES, Woolwine, VA.
A second-generation artist, Nicholas Barnes introduces the captivating technique of Wood Cloisonné. Starting with wood collected from his Appalachian home, he employs woodturning to craft intricate designs. His focus on color, shape, and edge creates a blend of vision and natural materials, offering a look unattainable by nature or man alone. View his work at: https://www.instagram.com/nbarnesdesign/

ANNIE BISONE, Milwaukee, WI.
Advocating for zero-waste and ethically made garments, Annie Bisone is a champion of Slow Fashion. Her creations prioritize design, comfort, and utility, sourced from discarded high-quality fabrics from design houses. Each garment becomes a unique piece, a testament to her commitment to sustainable and ethical practices. View her work at: https://www.laloworkshop.com/

REY D’ALFONSO, Greenville, SC.
Born and raised in Cuba, Rey D'Alfonso infuses his mixed-media paintings with vibrant expressions of contemporary culture. Utilizing Baltic birch, he layers pigments through carving and torching to create dynamic pieces inspired by Art Deco, old American cars, and the vivid colors of Cuban tropical splendor. His work delves into the experiences of migrants and immigrants, incorporating artifacts that emphasize our shared human history. View his work at: https://reyalfonsostudio.com/

KIMBER FIEBIGER, Minneapolis, MN.
With 45 years of experience, Kimber Fiebiger sculpts bronze masterpieces using the lost wax method. Her journey began in high school, overcoming gender barriers to pursue her passion. Her body of work has pieces that are funny, sensual, feminist, abstract, elegant whimsical, and entirely original. Currently finishing a large commission for Colorado Springs, she adds the 19th large-scale sculpture to her impressive portfolio, spreading art around the city. View her work at: http://artbykimber.com/

KATE ROTHRA FLEMING, Charleston, SC.
Born in Miami, Kate Rothra Fleming is a glass artist and jewelry designer. Her journey began in Botswana with the US Peace Corps, creating flamework glass pieces mimicking natural materials. Self-taught and award-winning, she has been featured in books, magazines, and museum exhibitions, showcasing her commitment to artistic excellence. View her work at: https://www.katerothrafleming.com/

ERICA IMAN, Kansas City, MO.
Sculptor and painter Erica Iman molds clay and raw earth materials into forms inspired by geology and fragmented landscapes. Her global experiences, including two years in the U.S. Peace Corps in Mongolia, contribute to her award-winning creations, such as Best in Show at Denver’s Cherry Creek Art Festival in 2021 and in Miami’s Coconut Grove Arts Festival in 2023. View her work at: http://ericaiman.com/

LISA KRISTINE, Sonoma, CA.
Internationally recognized humanitarian photographer, Lisa Kristine captures the essence of Indigenous cultures and social causes across more than 100 countries. Using a 19th-century 4x5" field camera and Hasselblad, Kristine's work not only documents but actively supports charities and humanitarian organizations. Her impactful photography serves as a powerful narrative, resonating locally and globally. View her work at: https://lisakristine.com/

LAWRENCE PACKARD, Winter Haven, FL.
Lawrence Packard specializes in pen and ink drawings of ships lost at sea. Executed freehand on nautical charts, each drawing is a meticulous layering of thousands of pen strokes, capturing historical records with unparalleled precision. His unique approach pays homage to maritime history and the stories woven into the depths of the ocean. View his work at: https://packardnauticalart.com/

EVEN REINHEIMER, Boca Raton, FL.
Award-winning artist Evan Reinheimer excels in the unique technique of "Kite Aerial Photography." Using kites to lift his camera into the air, he captures breathtaking aerial photographs worldwide. His childhood love for kites and photography converges, allowing him to create a body of work that spans various climates, fueled by a passion for travel. View his work at: https://evanreinheimer.com/

HERNAN RODRIGUEZ, Homestead, FL.
Born in Güines, Havana, Cuba, Hernan Rodriguez is a self-taught contemporary landscape painter. Using oil on canvas, he translates the unique and exotic landscapes of his Cuban hometown into captivating works of art. Rodriguez's instinctive approach to painting reflects his deep connection to the countryside, creating pieces that resonate with the beauty of his current surroundings in Florida. View his work at: https://www.hernanart.com/

ANDREW SOVJANI, Conway, MA.
Scientist-turned artist Andrew Sovjani combines his scientific background with traditional photographic materials. Utilizing alchemy in a hybrid analog/digital technique, he creates prints from B&W film negatives chemically altered by hand. The result is a unique blend of art and science, offering viewers a visual experience that transcends traditional photography. View his work at: https://www.andrewsovjani.com/

PAIGE WHITCOMB, Springfield, MO.
Paige Whitcomb utilizes one of the oldest photographic methods to capture images, employing Civil War-era cameras from the 1860s. Using a 19th-century large format camera, she seamlessly photographs people and places, creating a nostalgic portrayal of memories and dreams from another time and place. Each image, a 1/1 original piece, captures the essence of a bygone era, resonating with a timeless charm. View her work at: https://www.paigewhitcomb.com/

The Festival
The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is not just about art; it’s also the social event of the year. Over 80,000 attendees from across the region pass through the gates of The Coconut Grove Arts Festival to experience one of the nation’s top outdoor, fine-arts festivals that dates back to 1963. This iconic South Florida event presents 285 internationally recognized artists who were selected during a blind jury process based solely on artistic merit. The jury panel is comprised of art professionals from around the country. Original pieces are displayed in the following categories: mixed media, painting, photography, digital art, printmaking and drawing, watercolor, ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry and metalwork, sculpture, and wood. It offers culinary experiences and has featured celebrity chefs including Giorgio Rapicavoli, Ralph Pagano, and Allen Susser. The festival has been honored to have some of the world’s premier artists officially create the commemorative poster, including Romero Britto, Guy Harvey, Clyde Butcher, Benjamin Frey, Jacqueline Roch, Xavier Cortada, Rick Garcia, Lisa Remeny, and Alexander Mijares to name a few. The festival is operated by the 501(c)(3) Coconut Grove Arts & Historical Association and produced by EngageLive, LLC. Proceeds go towards funding year-round arts programs such as providing art supplies to a variety of schools and organizations, hosting a Visiting Artist Program with Miami-Dade County Schools, and our nationally recognized Emerging Artist Program. In addition, the festival awards over $70,000 in scholarships benefiting graduating seniors from local public magnet arts high schools and art students from Florida International University.

For more info, go to: https://cgaf.com