February 21 & 22 
Miami, Florida
31st Annual Festival
Downtown South Miami on Sunset Drive
10am-6pm Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday
145 Exhibitors
Deadline: November 5
Started as a small show in 1984, the event has grown into one of Miami-Dade County's most anticipated festivals. Dozens of friendly and dedicated Rotary volunteers staff the event, ensuring a pleasant experience for exhibitors.
The festival attracts a diverse group of art lovers. Public admission is free and includes live jazz throughout the weekend and an international food court.
The proceeds of the festival benefit South Miami Rotary charitable efforts including college scholarships for local school students as well as international and local community service projects. The festival is produced by the dedicated volunteers of the Rotary Club of South Miami and its Rotary Foundation. Our artists come from all over the U.S. and Canada.
The area is filled with historic buildings, restaurants and unique shops. Just 3 miles south of Miami's Coconut Grove, South Miami borders the University of Miami and the upscale neighborhoods of Coral Gables and Pinecrest.
We provide:
- Load-in and out at booth space
- Free parking for artists
- Cash awards of at least $3,250 will be presented
- Automatic acceptance for winners the following year
- Complimentary continental breakfast both mornings
- Complimentary bottled water
- Booth sitting available for brief breaks
Comments
I have done this show and have had a really good experience. The Rotarians are everywhere, offering booth sitting, and assistance where needed. South Miami is an area where art is appreciated and the advertising for this show is most impressive. My sales here, while not "off the charts" is steady and consistent. People come to this show year after year and it takes place in the heart of the "snowbird" season.
I have not seen buy-sell in the past 6 years, although it was a problem for a year or two before that. The jurying is well done, as there is always a good mix of media, and a good mix of styles within each medium. And, in contradistinction to the promoter-run mega-shows, the proceeds go to a very good cause.
The show does get its share of folks who are show-weary from the Grove or St. Stephens, but, in my experience, they buy here just as well since the overall "feel" of the South Miami show is less frenetic and more hometown friendly.
But you have to get those shoppers to come.
I am not comparing the quality, Geri. We all know you can find amazing things at the Grove. I just hear so much complaining about the inaccessibility at the Grove that I was musing that perhaps this might be a place to show your work that would access those shoppers.
There is no comparison in quality between the two shows. While the Grove show has turned into a three ring circus, the ring that is the art is still of very good quality. Parking may be plentiful because there are a lot of lots but the price to park is now $8. I am not sure that the quality of the art justifies that. This is a little suburban show.
This is a great location where lots of shopping takes place. You'd think all those people who don't go to The Grove anymore because the logistics are so complicated, e.g., parking, gates, too crowded, too much stuff, would head to this event where the parking is plentiful and the restaurants are good and it is easy to navigate.
Dave isn't that far off. It is a mixed bag. The biggest disadvantage is that it is the week after Coconut Grove and St. Stephens. Not a lot of buying energy after that big weekend.
I did the show once in 2010 and was very surprised to see so much buy sell crap. There were also a lot of booths with very high quality work in fine art and fine craft. Attendance was quite small and I would never consider entering this show again.