Coconut Grove Arts Festival Celebrates Completion of $90,000 Scholarship Commitment with $30,000 Award to FIU Students
- dina390
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
The Coconut Grove Arts Festival announced the awarding of $30,000 in scholarships to Florida International University (FIU) students pursuing degrees in the arts. This year’s distribution marks the successful completion of the festival’s three-year, $90,000 scholarship commitment to supporting the next generation of artists.
"Son de Negro" by Nathalia Padilla (Acrylic on canvas)
The scholarships will be presented during a special gathering on Wednesday, September 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Paul L. Cejas School of Architecture (PCA) BEA Gallery on FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus. This “invitation-only” event will gather student families and faculty in celebration of these talented students as they share their work and talk about how this support will help them grow as artists.
From L to R: "Opinionated" by Melissa Oliveira (Glazed stoneware), "Hard Candy" by Stephanie Silver (Ceramic), "Soy tu Reflejo" by Alexandra Berlin (Video Experimentation)
The 2025–26 scholarship recipients are:
Alexandra Berlin, MFA
Facundo Triviño Guevara, BFA Art
Amelia Restrepo Herran, BFA Digital Art
Melissa Oliveira, BFA Art
Nathalia Padilla, MFA
Stephanie Silver, MFA
Ana Vergara, MFA
Each student will give a short introduction to their art and reflect on how this scholarship will impact their education and career path.
“The Coconut Grove Arts Festival has always been about more than just three days in February. It’s about investing in our community and the future of the arts,” said Executive Director Camille Marchese. “These students represent the creativity and dedication that keep the arts thriving in Miami, and we’re proud to help them along their journey.”
"Báscula" by Facundo Triviño Guevara (Woodwork)
Light refreshments will be provided by Humanities Edge, giving guests a chance to connect, mingle, and celebrate the next generation of artists.
For more than 60 years, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival has been a place where art and community come together. Through programs like this scholarship, the festival continues to nurture local talent and ensure that Miami remains a place where artists can dream, create, and succeed.
"Memoria de Color" by Amelia Restrepo Herrán (Digital art),
About The Coconut Grove Arts 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 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. For more information, go to cgaf.com.