While the Coconut Grove Arts Festival (CGAF) may last only three days, its commitment to promoting arts education and artist careers in South Florida is a year-long venture. Following a successful first year, the exclusive CGAF High School Mentoring Program returned with 10 new art club students from Barbara Goleman Senior High School and matching professional mentors.
The two-part mentoring series began in late January at Jungle Island with a private workshop taught by five participating professional artists of the 2015 event. Looking to impact various areas of the greater Miami community and amplify the mission of the organization’s Visiting Artist Week, the Arts Festival invited visual arts students from Goleman.
Students participated in Jungle Island’s Lemurs Up-Close encounter and were taught about wildlife conservation efforts to save the species, one of the world’s most endangered. Inspired by the intimate experience, students explored the 18-acre attraction and sketched concepts for a piece in the medium of their choice. More importantly, they had the opportunity to talk to mentors, one-on-one. The private day-long session allowed students to ask candid questions about a career in the arts industry.
Later, the students showcased their final projects at a special gallery exhibition on display at Jungle Island, hoping to spread conservation awareness. The exhibition was open to the public at Jungle Island through mid February.
“Our Visiting Artists Week has made a tremendous impact on our Miami-Dade County public school system,” said Katrina Delgado, Artist Director at the Arts Festival. “We are proud to once again host this extension of the Visiting Artists Week. Our High School Mentoring Series educates and inspires high school-level visual arts students in a more intimate setting.”
The Visiting Artists Week, introduced by the Coconut Grove Arts Festival in 1986, enables nearly 75 of the Arts Festival’s 380 award-winning artists to share their insight with more than 150 public schools in South Florida. While also introducing students to their particular craft, artists also work with students to create a piece which may include an individual painting, jewelry crafting or painting a full mural on a school wall. Since its inception, numerous other fine arts shows across the country have introduced similar programs.
The 52nd annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival was held from February 14 to 16. Goleman students exhibited their pieces at the festival and sold a few to visiting art patrons.