Coconut Grove Arts Festival Awards $75,000 in Scholarships to 15 Miami-Dade Students

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival (CGAF) Board of Directors announced the 2026 recipients of its prestigious student scholarship program, awarding $75,000 in scholarships to 15 outstanding high school seniors from Miami-Dade County. Each student received a $5,000 scholarship in recognition of their exceptional artistic talent and dedication.

The private scholarship ceremony was hosted by Courtyard by Marriott Miami Coconut Grove on Sunday, May 17. At the event, “At the event, friends and family of the honorees viewed a display of each student's artwork. 

As one of the country's premier outdoor fine arts festivals, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival has long supported the development of young artists and the future of the 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. 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.” — Pamela Mayer, Chairwoman, CGAF Board of Directors.

“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. We are proud to stand behind them at this moment in their creative lives and to be part of what comes next.” — Camille Marchese, CGAF Executive Director.

Spanning a broad spectrum of artistic styles and mediums, this year's recipients used their work to explore themes of identity, memory, belonging, and cultural influence. Collectively, the students exemplify the remarkable creativity and artistic promise thriving throughout Miami-Dade County.

The 2026 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, pictured above with CGAF Executive Director Camille Marchese)
• 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, pictured above with CGAF Chairwoman Pamela Mayer)
• Emely Melendez Yanji (Miami Senior High School).

Finalists were selected through a rigorous review process in which students' art portfolios, artist statements, and teacher recommendations. They were evaluated by Marlen Kohn and Marilyn Traeger — founding members of the Fund for Design & Art Education, who originally established the scholarship. This year they were joined by Ampara Bacallao, a Digital Designer at Oceania Cruises, the program's first Isaiah Scholarship recipient and a graduate of an M-DCPS Visual Arts Magnet program.

The Board also recognized the retired educators whose decades in the classroom helped shape arts education in South Florida — a legacy that continues to inspire the next generation of artists.

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 encourages young attendees to start collecting art; and regular donations of art supplies to area schools.