The South Florida fallwinter art festival season kicks off with a regional favorite and one of the finest art shows in the country, the 39th Annual South Miami Art Festival. The festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will thrill the senses with sights to behold, music to your ears and flavors to savor.
This year’s much anticipated event is produced by Chamber South and sponsored in part by Presenting Sponsor, First National Bank of South Miami, a longtime supporter of the arts. Additional support is also provided by the Miami- Dade County Cultural Affairs Department, Tourist Development Council and the City of South Miami.
The art festival will be held in the heart of South Miami on Sunset Drive between South Dixie Highway and Red Road, surrounded by the quaint shops and neighborhood cafés of SoMi. The event will feature more than 150 artist booths from around the country, showcasing such mediums such as painting, watercolor, glass, jewelry, metal work, digital art, mixed media, drawing, graphics, photography, clay, sculpture and wood.
Popular artists at the event will include Marilyn Brown, featuring her award winning black and white photography, and Alberto Benitez, showcasing his “local color” paintings.
This year’s official event poster and tshirt were created by area artists. “The poster features mangroves at Elliott Key and was created by area photographer Paul Marcellini,” said Chamber South Event Manager Sandy Gallaher. “The festival t-shirt features an “artsy” watercolor painting by another local artist, Phil Fung. Both items will be available for sale at the Chamber South booth near the center of the festival path.”
Feed your senses and your stomach at the “Savor SoMi Flavor” food area that will offer tempting taste treats from neighborhood SoMi restaurants such as Town and Smoke’t. “Savor SoMi Flavor” will be located in front of First National Bank of South Miami.
Music will fill the air as local band Van Gogh Listens plays current tunes, dance music and oldies live on stage. The everpopular children’s area will be back and will feature a bounce house, children’s themed vendors and more amusing activities. The children’s area will be located at the west end of the festival near South Dixie Highway.
Although parking is available throughout the South Miami area, Chamber South organizers are encouraging attendees to take the Metrorail to the South Miami station, located directly across South Dixie Highway from the event.
“As always, the event is free for the whole family and we invite the community to come and spend the day in South Miami,” said Gallaher.
For information, go to www.chambersouth.com or call Chamber South organizers, Vivian Conterio or Sandy Gallaher at 305-661-1621.
