The heart of SOMI was pumping with art, food and live music during the SOUTH MIAMI ROTARY ART FESTIVAL the weekend of February 21 & 22. Thousands strolled down Sunset Drive through South Miami’s retail/restaurant district viewing some 150 exhibitors of fine arts and high-end crafts from around the country, while enjoying multinational food and live music.
Best in Show ribbon and cash awards went to glass artist Richard Ryan of Bourbonnais, Illinois. Presenting the ribbon are: Festival Chairwoman Wendy Lapidus and Rotary President Gabriel De Armas, Jr.The annual show (always held on the weekend after Presidents’ Day) continues to be one of the most popular and best attended events in town. The festival was started in 1984 by the Red Sunset Merchant’s Association. It started as a small show with only 25 booths; it has grown into one of Miami-Dade’s most anticipated events.
For the third year in a row Greg Byers and Friends hosted a jam session in the evening on stage in the beer garden/food court. Each year more people stay to enjoy the wonderful jazz. In addition, this year the Children’s Voice Chorus led by Jamie Perez Sutta performed on Saturday afternoon.
Greg Byers with his five-string electric cello entertaining the crowd.The Art Festival is produced entirely by volunteers of the South Miami Rotary Club, with proceeds going to fund college scholarships for South Miami students, and other local, national and international service projects.
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- Marine artist Lawrence Packard of Winter Haven, Florida.
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- Aaron Reed of Atlanta, Georgia.
