International Park(ing) Day 2010 in Coconut Grove

Park(ing) Day in Coconut day was a hugh success! Not so much with large crowds, but it was a launching pad for future Park(ing) Days in Miami. I had to explain Park(ing) Day to almost everyone I met. The only ones who really knew about it were there volunteering. For those of you who still don't know... Park(ing) Day is celebrated in many cities around the country to bring awareness to green spaces and environmental issues. Its where you take street parking spaces and turn them into parklike green spaces.

Biking is encouraged, especially on Park(ing) Day. We had a few people ride their bikes and used the green space to park them.

When I arrived there was much to do. We did have some help from the city parks department. They brought the sod to us and helped place it.

Pie studios brought their beautiful eco furniture for everyone to enjoy.

Here is our working crew, thankfully not afraid to get their hands dirty.

Students from FIU shared the space with me. They used reclaimed milk cartons to make seating.

I met these three very green young women who sketched with me and even made a sign to get people driving by to think about green space.

It was a fun day that I was proud to be a part of. I loved sitting in our green space sketching and talking about green ideas with green people all while connecting the environment to art.

To see more photos, check out the Coconut Grove Grapevine.

International Park(ing) Day

Fall for Arts Starts the Cultural Season!

Today I went to one the best ideas to promote the arts for the city of Miami that I have seen in a long time. The event was called Fall for the Arts Festival located in the Adrienne Arsht Center Parking lot and was sort of like a old time community town fair. Art from every discipline from visual art to live performances to children's art education was represented. I really enjoyed seeing so many arts groups all in one place easily accessible to the community side by side in white fair tents. Here are a few of the photos I took...

The Bahamas Junkanoo Revue were as enjoyable to watch as they were to listen to.

Jeanine Dronsick, managing editor of Around Town Magazine on the left shown above was there with Susan Glass. I happily snatched up a year's subscription at half the price... the deal of the day! Around Town Magazine is a fabulous full-color, beautifully printed magazine with interesting articles about culture in South Florida; art event listings with full descriptions; and even a dining guide so you can figure out were and what to eat once you are out and about.

Bands entertained the crowds...

Heather Bettner was there showing off her peacocks that are currently on display in Coconut Grove. Here is the map of all the peacocks.

I met these two adorable girls from Estampas de Colombia Folkloric Group. I love to see when people put in the extra effort to make their organization stand out.

The day was so hot people waited in line for free water. Something to think about for next year when you want someone to come to your booth!

Studio Art Miami had a hands on activity for the kids. They made a living tree where the kids made the leaves by coloring them with markers and got to hang them on the branches... very cute.

Of course, I was most impressed by the Bicycle Valet! Nice green initiative sponsored by Mack Cycle and Green Mobility Network.

All and all it was a great start to the season.