Coconut Grove Arts Festival awards $75,000 in scholarships to Miami-Dade student artists

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival has awarded $75,000 in scholarships to 15 graduating high school seniors from Miami-Dade County in recognition of their artistic talent and academic dedication.

The scholarships, valued at $5,000 each, were presented during a private ceremony hosted by Courtyard by Marriott Miami Coconut Grove on May 17.

Organizers said the annual scholarship program remains one of the festival’s key initiatives aimed at supporting the next generation of artists and strengthening South Florida’s arts community.

“We have a responsibility not just to showcase great art, but to support the next generation of artists — that’s where the true legacy of this Festival lives,” said Pamela Mayer, chairwoman of the festival’s board of directors.

“These scholarship recipients are a powerful reminder of why we do this work. Helping them pursue their artistic education is one of the most meaningful investments the Festival makes all year,” she added.

According to festival organizers, the students’ work explored themes including identity, memory, belonging and cultural influence through a wide range of artistic styles and mediums.

Camille Marchese, the festival’s executive director, praised the students for the maturity and originality reflected in their work.

“What strikes you every year is how fully formed these young artists already are — the depth of vision, the technical skill, the stories they’re driven to tell,” Marchese said.

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

• Cybele Alfonso-Jouwayed, Design and Architecture Senior High
• Sashiah Brizuela, South Miami Senior High School
• Saioa Drew, Design and Architecture Senior High
• Johan Duran, New World School of the Arts
• Christer Eugene, Design and Architecture Senior High
• Hannah Ferrer, Design and Architecture Senior High
• Alexandra Guerra, Design and Architecture Senior High
• Sofia Hernandez, Design and Architecture Senior High
• Giuliana Ladeira, Miami Lakes Educational Center
• Lucas Lafaurie, Design and Architecture Senior High
• Polina Pozhydaieva, New World School of the Arts
• Valentina Rodriguez, Miami Arts Studio 6-12 @ Zelda Glazer
• Alexandra Rodriguez-Quevedo, Design and Architecture Senior High
• Zire Tanner, Design and Architecture Senior High
• Emely Melendez Yanji, Miami Senior High School

Festival officials said finalists were selected through a competitive review process evaluating student portfolios, artist statements and teacher recommendations.

The scholarship applications were reviewed by founding members of the Fund for Design & Art Education, Marlen Kohn and Marilyn Traeger, alongside Ampara Bacallao, the program’s first Isaiah Scholarship recipient and a graduate of a Miami-Dade County Public Schools visual arts magnet program.

In addition to the scholarship initiative, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival said it continues to support young artists year-round through programs including its Emerging Artists mentorship initiative, visiting artist workshops in local schools, the Young Collectors Club and donations of art supplies to area schools.