By Coral Gables Gazette staff
One of South Florida’s longest-running cultural traditions returns to Coral Gables this weekend as the Beaux Arts Festival of Art celebrates its 75th anniversary at the University of Miami.
The two-day outdoor festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 17–18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Stanford Drive on the Coral Gables campus. Admission is free, continuing a long-standing commitment to broad public access and community engagement.
A milestone for South Florida’s oldest juried art festival
Founded in 1952, the Beaux Arts Festival of Art holds the distinction of being Miami’s oldest juried art festival. Over seven decades, it has evolved into a signature regional event that draws more than 25,000 attendees across a single weekend.
The festival features more than 200 exhibiting artists selected through a juried process, presenting work across ten fine-art categories. Visitors encounter a wide range of media and price points, creating an environment that welcomes both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers.
More than $20,000 in prizes are awarded to participating artists, reinforcing the festival’s role as a serious platform for artistic recognition as well as public enjoyment.
Art, music, and family-friendly programming
Beyond the juried artist booths, the festival offers a full slate of complementary programming designed to create a shared civic experience. Attendees can explore a curated marketplace, enjoy live music performances, sample offerings from food trucks, and participate in children’s art activities.
The outdoor format allows visitors to move fluidly between art, music, and social spaces, transforming the university campus into an open-air cultural corridor for the weekend.
The event’s scale and accessibility make it a cornerstone of Coral Gables’ winter arts calendar, blending museum-quality work with an inviting, family-friendly atmosphere.
A volunteer-led mission rooted in access
Beaux Arts operates as a 100 percent female-run, volunteer-driven nonprofit organization. Its mission centers on encouraging understanding and appreciation of the arts in South Florida while expanding access to cultural experiences for diverse audiences.
All funds raised through the festival support the Lowe Art Museum and Beaux Arts’ educational outreach programs. For decades, the organization has introduced children from underserved communities to art through hands-on learning and exposure to creative practice.
In recent years, that support has played a role in making admission to the Lowe Art Museum free to the public, further extending the organization’s impact beyond the festival weekend.
A campus setting with civic reach
Held on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus, the festival benefits from a setting that naturally connects academic life with the broader community. Stanford Drive becomes a pedestrian-friendly promenade, inviting visitors to experience art in a relaxed, open setting.
The location reinforces the festival’s dual identity as both a university-hosted event and a regional gathering point, drawing attendees from across South Florida while remaining firmly rooted in Coral Gables.
Looking ahead
As Beaux Arts marks its 75th anniversary, the festival reflects continuity rather than nostalgia. Its emphasis on access, education, and volunteer leadership continues to shape its future direction, ensuring that the event remains relevant to new generations of artists and audiences.
The 75th Annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art takes place Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 17–18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Miami. Admission is free.
