The City of Homestead, Councilmember Jenifer N. Bailey, and the Southwest Advisory Committee (SWAC) will host the premiere Art in Park, a free family community day, at Blakey Park, 600 SW 14 Ave. in Homestead, on Saturday, May 25, from noon to 4 p.m.
The community day will provide families with a fun-filled day of art, music, performances, free barbecue food and games, while showcasing visual and performing arts education programs of local schools and community based organizations. The event also will provide information on free programs and resources available to assist families.
Art in the Park is an additional event and spinoff to the inaugural Artwalk Homestead festival that premiered in May 2018 at Losner Park. The event was successful in utilizing art as an economic and cultural generator for Homestead. It raised $1,000 for six middle schools and provided free resources to support parents throughout the school year.
Between the art gallery sales, art projects, local school presentations, and community resources, the event offered a multitude of activities to enjoy in just one day. To better serve more residents, Councilmember Bailey decided to offer two separate events yearly starting this year. The Artwalk Homestead festival will focus on promoting, supporting, selling, and exhibiting art of Homestead and South Miami-Dade artists. It will take place during the last weekend of November as a South Miami-Dade kickoff to the Art Basel Miami festivities, and will raise funds to produce this Art in the Park Free Family Community Day and the donations awarded to schools and programs every May.
Art in the Park this month will focus on exposing families to art and STEM activities, arts and crafts, expressive art like murals and canvas paint classes, and human resources available to residents such as information on free programs from The Children Trust, Early Learning Coalition financial support, record expunging, employment options, dental truck care, and much more.
The event will promote community collaborations, family and community engagement, and intergenerational interactions while assessing residents’ needs via onsite surveys.
For more information, to volunteer, or sponsor the event send email to artwalkhomestead@gmail.com or contact Sharon E.A. Coleman at 305-609-4898.
