In a city that’s always reinventing itself, it’s rare to find something that sticks. But for 62 years, through hurricanes, high tides, and shifting tastes, one event has not only endured – but flourished. Welcome to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival (CGAF), where art meets the bay, creativity rules the streets, and generations of Miamians (and visitors) mark their calendars for Presidents’ Day weekend without fail.
The Gimmick That Became a Movement






It all started in 1963 with a French musical and a clever publicist. Charlie Cinnamon, the legendary “press agent” with a flair for flair, was tasked with drumming up excitement for Irma La Douce at the Coconut Grove Playhouse. His solution? A Left Bank-style “clothesline art show” complete with poodles and Parisian charm stretched out in front of the theater.
People came for the art, not necessarily the play – and a new tradition was born. “We never figured out if they bought tickets,” Cinnamon once chuckled. “But they definitely came for the art.”

A Festival Finds Its Rhythm
What began as a publicity stunt blossomed into a full-fledged festival. By the 1970s, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival was one of the largest outdoor art shows in Florida. Today, it’s internationally recognized, drawing tens of thousands of attendees and hundreds of artist applicants each year from around the globe.
Says CGAF Chairman David Hill, Jr., “Through ups and downs, from torrential rain to power outages to pandemic pauses, the festival has remained true to its core: showcasing exceptional fine art while reflecting the spirit of the Grove – vibrant and unapologetically creative.”
And he should know. Hill has served the festival as a volunteer since the age of 10, working the festival alongside his father, Board Member Emeritus Dave Hill, Sr. Now in his 50s, Hill Jr. says the opportunity to serve as the current chairman is not only an honor, but truly a labor of love.
The Art is the Heart
“It’s just a good show – artists make money here, and that’s why it’s attractive,” said Executive Director Camille Marchese. And she’s right. Each year, the lineup is curated through a blind jury process, with only the most skilled, creative, and original artists making the cut. In 2024, well over 900 hopefuls applied. Only 285 got in.
Legends like Clyde Butcher and Romero Britto got a career boost here, and up-and-coming talents like French painter Corinne Migraine and fiber artist Annie Bisone now carry that torch forward.

Honoring a Legacy, Staying Fresh
The secret to lasting 62 years? Reinvention. Today’s festival is more than an art show weekend – it’s an immersive experience for all ages. Kids browse original artwork in the Young Collectors Club, where every piece is just $5. Muralists scale shipping container stacks to paint live during the event.
Presiding over this cultural juggernaut for 15 years, Monty Trainer – affectionately dubbed “The Grove Father.” Though he stepped down in 2024, his golf cart tours, artist meet-and-greets, and endless enthusiasm helps keep the spirit of the event going strong.
“But of course, art remains the number one priority,” Marchese is quick to emphasize. “We’re an art community, and that’s always our focus.” With longstanding ties through her 23-year tenure at the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Marchese was handpicked in 2022 by Trainer and the festival’s board of directors to carry the mantle forward.
In interviews, Marchese noted that board member Monty Trainer and the festival’s leadership recruited her specifically to rebuild the event’s artist caliber and restore its standing as a top-tier fine art festival
The Coconut Grove Arts & Historical Association keeps that legacy alive year-round, awarding scholarships, supporting arts education, and preserving the festival’s mission.
The Grove’s Crown Jewel
Now a fixture of the national festival circuit and a social event like no other, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival remains a beacon of creativity and community. Never forgetting its humble roots, the festival is a reminder that great things can grow from a little imagination – and maybe a clothesline.
So next year over President’s Day while you’re walking the tree-lined streets of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, look around. You’re not just at a festival. You’re part of a six-decade story of art, heart, and Miami history.
[Photo credits: “You Grew Up in Old Coconut Grove”]