The day started with a Palette Breakfast at the Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove, an exclusive breakfast/reception where participants got a sneak peek at this year’s festival offerings, ideal for collectors who want first dibs on artwork. Artwork sold at the event benefitted University of Miami’s Project: New Born, an organization committed to raising much-needed funds to support the Project: New Born Intensive Care Unit, an intensive care facility to imperiled premature and high risk infants.

After the breakfast, I headed to stop by Coconut Grove Gallery and Interiors first as in every year, the gallery provides free parking and shuttle rides to the festival. Artists were on hand creating their artwork and guests were treated to some goodies as they strolled and admire other artwork throughout the premises.

Then after a short shuttle to the festival, the cornucopia of art began in my journey.The fair showcased the works of over 360 artists and craftsmen from across the world, plus offers activities like the Culinary Pavilion Showcase, a series of culinary demonstrations throughout the festival; a Kid’s Zone for the little ones and live musical entertainment.

There was a line up of live entertainment including local jam band Suenalo and Latin Grammy Award-winning flutist Nestor Torres. Also, the Global Food Village served a wide variety of culinary delights for hungry art lovers in need of nourishment. At the end of the culinary Pavilion in the Barefoot Wine Tent, Barefoot Winemaker Jennifer Wall treated guests to a Wine & Bubbly blending and cocktail seminar while guests sampled the many varieties of Barefoot Wines from its traditional Chardonnay to the Pink Moscato Spumante.

All in the all, it was an afternoon filled with art. Get ready for next year as the Coconut Grove Arts Festival turns 50 and it is for sure that the celebration will be done at an all time high! See you in 2013!