The second annual West End Art Fair, Mar. 12-13, already has more than 50 prominent professional artists and artisans signed to display their creative works on a traffic-free section of SW 158th Avenue south of Kendall Drive.
“We thought the art fair would be more appealing on a closed road as most festivals are done that way,” said Stephanie Figueroa, communications director for Miami-Dade District 11 Commissioner Juan C. Zapata who inaugurated the festival to create a destination focus for the West Kendall area.
Artists can inquire about remaining available space by contacting Figueroa or a District 11 staff member at 305-375-5511. All artists must commit to being present at their display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the two festival days.
Artistic works of all kinds including sculpture and photography will line both sides of the street. An adjacent empty lot next to nearby West Kendall Baptist Hospital will be open for free parking.
Last year, the inaugural two-day show attracted thousands who toured art exhibits and enjoyed entertainment on the Town Center grounds, an open area along SW 158th Avenue once planned as a regional shopping and entertainment center.
The family theme for Kendall’s “West End” (SW 137th Avenue to Krome Avenue) is a prominent feature for this year’s fair poster, featuring a couple and youngster, designed by Ana Mendoza, seventh grade student at Zelda Glazer Middle School, 15015 SW 24 St.
Family fun is once again a primary feature of the event with Miami-Dade County providing a stage for concerts by area school musical groups, including the John A. Ferguson High School band.
A “Kids Zone” will feature two bounce houses, a rock climbing wall and a section for face painting and balloon twisting while six food trucks offer a variety of fare for hungry festival-goers.
Members of the Art and Cultural Events Committee assisting in fair preparations include Ximena Alzae, Jeanette Bird, Maria Donate, Alicia Herrera, Mariela Lazaro, Amnaryss Bird, Gina Ramos and Barb Yager.
