The formula is pretty simple. Downright obvious if you ask us, but for some reason, only the Beaux Arts Festival has figured it out. The sun loves Miami. Miami loves art. Therefore, sun plus art equals a perfect Miami event.
So instead of hoarding 240 artists under a roof, the festival does the wintry thing and moves them outside at a park adjacent to the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami. No wonder this thing has been around for 59 years and draws on average 100,000 people.
Funded by a group of 100 volunteer women committed to the health of the Lowe, Beaux Arts features work from 32 states and four countries. The festival also offers $20,000 in prizes for outstanding pieces, judged this year by painter Humberto Calzada and collector Carlos de la Cruz Jr. And as a prize to you, the enthusiastic art viewer, both admission and parking are free. Are we still in Miami?
The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Sat., Jan. 9, 10 a.m.; Sun., Jan. 10, 10 a.m., 2010