University of Miami's Beaux Arts Festival This Weekend

Get to walking at Beaux.

​Somewhere on the road to artistic maturity a chasm developed in Miami's fine art offerings. You have Art Basel and its galaxy of satellite fairs for the upper echelon connoisseurs--the real nose lifters. And then there are the weekend art warriors who think getting blitzed at mainstream art festivals like the Coconut Grove Art Fair qualify them to wax poetic on Andy Warhol or Jackson Pollock.

All or nothing. That's Miami for you. But wouldn't it be great if there were an art fair with some great work, both from established and up and coming artist, in an environment that was cool without trying so hard? Oh, that's right, we have that already. And believe it or not, the Beaux Arts' Festival of Art is celebrating its 60th anniversary making it among the longest art fairs in the city and state.

Beaux Art Festival

Fernando Ramos' Best in Show self portrait.

​This year's event of the region's oldest juried fine art show boasts over 240 artists from 30 states, Canada, and Israel and working in 10 distinct mediums. Part of what helps keep the quality of art up at Beaux is simple--the green. And we don't mean the lush university campus setting for the festival, although that's a nice bonus. We're talking about the $20,000 in cash awards for the artists. Not that they're in it for the scratch, but it doesn't hurt either. Looking to see if you can spot some great local artist of the future. Check out the popular Student Artist Showcase, featuring art from students all over the county. Fernando Ramos, an 11th grader, won this year's Best in Show.

As always, part of the fun of the Beaux -we mean besides checking out the traveling artist that show their stuff--is getting in free toe the Lowe Art Museum and checking out their current exhibitions, including Frank Paulin's photos and Harmon and Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art.

Finally, it wouldn't be festival without live music and other entertainment, some options at the Art Park for those brat kids you might be lugging around, and of course something to stuff your face with. Take some comfy shoes for walking and check out a festival map here.

The Beaux Arts' Festival of Art takes place Saturday and Sunday (January 8 and 9) on the grounds of the University of Miami near the Lowe Art Museum. The festival is free and open each day from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit /www.beauxartsmiami.org or call 305-668-8499 for more information.

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