The Coconut Grove Arts Festival (CGAF) is gearing up for an exceptional 2025 edition, driven by a high level of interest from the artist community. With nearly 1,000 applications received this year, it is clear that the festival is living up to its reputation as one of the nation’s most sought-after outdoor arts events.
As soon as the artist application period closed on Sept. 23, 2024, the rigorous evaluation process immediately got underway, as CGAF’s distinguished jury launched into the meticulous task of selecting the final group of 240 artists. Representing both local and international talent, this final set of artists will showcase their work during the 2025 Festival, held over Presidents’ Day weekend.
“This year’s high volume of applications is drawing attention and excitement across the board, said David Hill Jr., Chairman of the CGAF Board of Directors. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the work of our Executive Director Camille Marchese to get us to this pivotal point in theprocess leading up to the 2025 Festival.”
Says Marchese, “To be sure, we’ve experienced a remarkable level of interest this year to be sure including 45 returning artists from last year’s successful show. This enables us to choose from an exceptionally strong pool of artists in every category, ensuring an elevated experience for collectors and Festival goers alike.”
The selection process is conducted by a blind jury of esteemed art professionals from around the country. Each submission is scored on a scale of 1 to 10. The result is an impressive roster of 285 artists across 15 diverse categories, offering a dynamic showcase for attendees. Categories for 2025 include Mixed Media, Clay, Glass, Jewelry, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Wood, and Printmaking.
“This is a win-win,” adds Marchese. “The exceptional quality of the art leads to higher sales for exhibitors and provides Festival goers with a wide range of unique and innovative pieces to admire and collect. ”With such a strong showing of talent, CGAF is poised to deliver its most memorable Festival yet.