Arts and Humanities People and Community

Art in the Heart of Campus

The Beaux Arts Festival of Art debuts at a new site with picture-perfect weather and a panoply of original works of art.
beaux arts, lowe art museum

Thousands of visitors enjoyed the new location, gorgeous weather, live music, fresh food and, of course, the panoply of original works of art at the 67th annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art, which was held on the University of Miami’s Foote Green this past weekend.

“The new setting was stellar, especially for the music,” said Michael Malone, director of editorial services in University Communications, whose band, Three Sheets to the Wind, performed in the entertainment tent at the Rock. “What a great vista, and people could listen from all directions.”

Just past the entertainment tent and the array of food vendors on Stanford Drive, more than 200 acclaimed artists offered their paintings, photography, sculptures, jewelry, and other original works for sale on a more spacious site in front of the Richter Library.

The festival moved to the larger, more central location this year because the University’s new Student Housing Village is under construction on its former location, the grassy area between the Merrick Garage and Eaton Residential College.

But the festival still emanated from the Lowe, the beneficiary of the acclaimed art show’s existence. Beaux Arts, the volunteer organization that organizes the festival, was founded in 1953 to create community interest in art and to support what was South Florida’s first art museum when the Lowe opened in 1952. Originally called the “Clothesline Sale” because local artists hung their creations on clotheslines strung on the UM campus, the festival is now considered one of the nation’s premier art shows.

Calling the festival a triumph, Jill Deupi, Beaux Arts director and chief curator of the Lowe, thanked the organization for its tireless commitment to the communuty, to the musuem, and to fostering a love for art.

"Not only was the event blessed with spectacular weather, the festival’s new location fostered a wonderful sense of togetherness and engagement on the heart of UM’s campus," Deupi said. "As with years past, the art on view provided a panorama of what practitioners from across the country are doing, giving our guests a nice opportunity to build—or even start—their art collections. The Lowe is tremendously grateful to the remarkable women of Beaux Arts for their profound understanding of the power of art to touch lives."