Recognizing the power of early exposure to art ownership, the Miami Art League has donated 100 unique artworks to be featured as part of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival’s Young Collector’s Club. This generous contribution promises to ignite a love for the arts in the next generation.
Designed to inspire children aged 6-12, the program encourages kids to purchase original art for just $5, fostering a love for creativity and art collecting. “These 100 paintings reflect the global diversity of our artists,” said Linda Winters, Vice President of the Miami Art League.
CGAF Executive Director Camille Marchese, who founded the program three years ago, said, “We’re thrilled to see young people thoughtfully engaging with art while being empowered to make their own decisions. I am grateful for this significant donation to our Collectors Club,” said added Marchese.
Presented by First Horizon Bank, the festival is a longtime staple of Miami’s cultural scene, showcasing exceptional talent and drawing art enthusiasts from across the globe. Through the Young Collectors Club, children can make a purchase of original paintings, drawings, and mixed-media art, all donated by Festival and local artists – and for the first time, Miami Art League members.

“We have collected 100 paintings from the Miami Art League artists hailing from many corners of the world, including Japan, the Middle East, South America, and North America,” said Winters. “The donated paintings represent what we each do as individual artists finding and developing our voices at Miami Art League.” The South Florida-based nonprofit studio offers an open space for artists to explore creative visual arts, with or without instruction.
In this age of social media, collecting art allows young people to engage in a more enriching, thoughtful experience that fosters a deeper appreciation for creativity, culture, and history, a stark contrast to the fleeting and often superficial nature of creating a piece of TikTok content or Liking a post on Instagram. Unlike collecting “Likes,” this program encourages youngsters to reflect, express, and have a sense of ownership over something more tangible and meaningful.
“We are passionate about art and thrilled by the idea of children making their own choices about what to own.” Marchese created this program because she never forgot how she felt when her mother allowed her to purchase her first piece of art at the age of eight. It was that first experience that advanced her lifelong goal of collecting, and for that, she hopes to instill an appreciation for art in young people who will get to pick their very own piece that calls to them.
Launched in 2022, the Young Collectors Club took off with incredible enthusiasm, selling out all artwork by the festival’s second day! This overwhelming response perfectly captured the excitement the organizers had hoped for. By connecting kids with art early, the program fosters a deeper understanding of the world and encourages them to engage with and support artistic communities.
If you’d like to contribute to this effort, please email FestivalArtist@cgaf.com.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
For 61 years, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, managed by the Coconut Grove Arts & Historical Association, has been dedicated to cultivating future generations of artists. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, and the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, the organization champions South Florida’s arts community through educational programs – and by hosting one of the nation’s premier outdoor art festivals.
Held annually over Presidents’ Day weekend and produced by Miami-based Loud & Live, this three-day event features 285 juried artists across multiple visual categories, live performances, and interactive art experiences along Coconut Grove’s scenic bayfront streets. Proceeds and individual gifts fund impactful year-round programs, including scholarships for Florida International University and Miami-Dade high school students, the Visiting Artists Program, and the Next Generation Emerging Artist Program. Learn more at cgaf.com or donate here.
ABOUT MIAMI ART LEAGUE
The Miami Art League is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing an inspiring space for artists of all levels to grow, learn, and connect. Located in Miami Shores, the League offers life drawing sessions, instructional classes, and studio access for its members. Membership is open to all, with an annual fee of just $250.