The Coconut Grove Arts Festival (CGAF) Board of Directors announced the 2025 recipients of its prestigious student scholarship program, awarding $45,000 in scholarships to 15 outstanding high school seniors from Miami-Dade County. Each student received a $3,000 scholarship in recognition of his or her exceptional artistic talent and dedication.
The private scholarship ceremony took place on Sunday, May 18, at the Courtyard Miami Coconut Grove. Only friends and family of the honored students were invited to attend the event, where they could view some of the students’ artwork.
As one of the most celebrated outdoor fine arts festivals in the country, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival for a long time has recognized that the future of the arts rested in the creativity and passion of the next generation.
“Supporting our vision is at the heart of the festival’s mission. These young artists are truly extraordinary,” said Dave Hill, chair of the CGAF Board of Directors. “Recognizing their contributions to our creative community and helping them pursue their dreams through education is one of the most meaningful things we do each year.”
The $45,000 awarded this year was part of CGAF’s broader $75,000 annual scholarship fund, which also supported students currently enrolled in Florida International University’s art programs.
Camille Marchese, CGAF’s executive director, emphasized the transformative power of art in young lives.
“We were deeply committed to fostering new talent, and our scholarship program was a vital part of that,” Marchese said. “By supporting these promising young artists, we not only helped them develop their craft — we helped them find a voice, a purpose, and a creative future.”
This year’s recipients used a variety of media to explore their relationship with culture, religion, family and self. The 15 students, representing the very best of Miami-Dade’s young creative talent, included: Alexandra Guerra (Design and Architecture Senior High), Anacarolina Paz (Barbara Goleman Senior High School), Anisia Mike (New World School of the Arts), Brianna Vargas (Miami Lakes Educational Center), Emma Chala (New World School of the Arts), Gabriela Cabrera-Flores (Arthur and Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts), Janae Crespo (New World School of the Arts), Konstantina Papadaki (Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High), Layla Hanfland (New World School of the Arts), Leonna Anderson (Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High), Lucia Adrianzen (Design and Architecture Senior High), Megan Diaz (Miami Senior High), Nyle Jones (Design and Architecture Senior High), Rome Negas (Design and Architecture Senior High), and Sofia Lataczewski (New World School of the Arts).
The CGAF scholarship program was available to graduating seniors from Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Finalists were selected through a rigorous review process. This year’s recipients were chosen by the founding members of the Fund for Design & Art Education, who originally established the scholarship. Marlen Kohn, Marilyn Traeger, and Cathi Rivera assessed students’ art portfolios, artist statements, and teacher recommendations. The CGAF Board expressed gratitude to these retired art educators for their continued dedication to arts education and support of visual arts students in the community.
Beyond scholarships, the CGAF remains committed to nurturing young talent year-round through a variety of educational and engagement initiatives. These include the Emerging Artists Program, a two-year mentorship designed to help artists build a strong foundation for their careers; Visiting Artists Workshops held in local schools; the Young Collectors Club, which was hosted during the annual festival to encourage young attendees to start collecting art; and regular donations of art supplies to area schools.
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