2014 Coconut Grove Arts Festival Returns to Miami This Weekend

The 51st edition of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival presented by Terra Group & Grove at Grand Bay returns Presidents Day weekend February 15-17 and will again inspire ones imagination for visual, culinary and performing arts. This three-day event, considered among America's most popular and highly-regarded fine art exhibitions, brings the most talented and creative artists from all of North America to Coconut Grove.

Artists from more than 35 U.S. states and Canada were among the 1,232 applicants who submitted samples in mixed media, painting, photography, digital art, printmaking & drawing, watercolor, claywork, glass, fiber, jewelry & metalwork, sculpture and wood. Applicants included 19 local artists from the Miami area and more than 100 from Florida.

"South Floridians have a true passion for the arts and each year we dedicate ourselves to introducing new talents for them to embrace," said Monty Trainer, president of the Arts Festival. "We've added a New & Emerging Artists category this year enabling young artists to show their work for the first time at an outdoor, fine arts festival."

The Culinary Pavilion will again host top name chefs from the hottest restaurants and hotels in South Florida with demonstrations beginning every day at 11 a.m. Highlighting this year's Pavilion are popular local chefs Giorgio Rapicavoli, founder of the pop-up turned permanent restaurant Eating House and winner of The Food Network's "Chopped," and Culinary Consultant Chef Paulette Bilsky, known for her "Super Foods for Super Kids" program.

Highlighting a full three days of entertainment in Peacock Park is Bad Company (1985-1995) former lead singer Brian Howe, who will take the stage on Sunday, February 16 at 4:45 p.m. Howe collaborated with drummer Simon Kirke and guitarist Mick Ralphs on such rock classics as "Holy Water," "If You Needed Somebody," "No Smoke Without A Fire" and "How About That." Among the other groups performing are Insignia and Elastic Bond on Saturday and Campo Deluxe and Rockin' Jake on Monday.

The Children's Trust Art Alley returns with an interactive Kids' Area that encourages children, ages 2-12, to express their imagination and creativity through hands-on workshops. Also on hand will be award-winning arts education franchise Abrakoodle presenting their Art in Our World Curriculum that invites youngsters to mimic the styles of renowned artists such as Picasso, Bearden, Miro, Monet and Kahlo. There will also be daily television character appearances and theater performances.

About The Coconut Grove Arts Festival: The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is produced by the non-profit Coconut Grove Arts and Historical Association. Proceeds help fund year-round arts programs. The association also maintains the Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery and presents special exhibitions throughout the year from its location at the Shoppes at Mayfair. For more information or to purchase tickets for the Arts Festival online, visit www.cgaf.com.

The festival runs February 15 - 17, 2014. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, 2700 S Bayshore Dr Miami, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. Admission: General admission is $15 per person per day. Free Admission: Children 12 and under, Metrorail Golden Passport and Patriot Passport holders. Admission Code33: Residents of Coconut Grove in the 33133 zip code is $5 per person per day (proof of residency required).

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