A Night of Art and Music

Art is what you feel. You put your watercolor brush to the canvas and see a wash of color. Each stroke makes you more vulnerable. But more importantly, you are expressing yourself.
This is the conviction many Watercolor Society artists share when painting.
“You’re putting your soul on paper,” says Karon Sew, a contributing artist at the Coconut Grove Art Stroll.

Every first Saturday night of the month, the Art Stroll hosts live music, art gallery openings and crafts with an “everything art” feel. Each month features a different art exhibit; November was the Miami Watercolor Society’s 38th annual Fall Exhibition, with pieces judged by a juror for awards.
Begun in 1974 by Peter Drew, the Watercolor Society is a non-profit organization that teaches and promotes watercolor painting.
“We take classes that look at our progress from start to finish,” said Karen Gorham who’s been taking watercolor classes at Fairchild Tropical and Botanic Garden and won the Miami Water Color Society’s President’s Award for her piece, “Still Dancing.”
Other artists spoke about the importance of preserving the arts in Miami.
“I think it’s a great expression of talent and love around us,” said Kit Kimball, whose watercolor work “Bloomin’ Boots” was one of the many vibrant pieces on display.
While enjoying artwork and refreshments, patrons listened to live Argentine tango music featuring Osvaldo Barrios. Barrios has played the bandoneon, an Argentinian tango instrument, since age 12. Originally from Argentina, he immigrated to the U.S. to continue his career as a tango musician.
People crowded around to hear Barrios play his instrument with such passion. The music and watercolors cultivated an atmosphere of reflection.
“It’s beautiful. It all comes together,” said Barrios about the exhibit.
Patrons left the main exhibit with rhythms of tango in their hearts and entered a second exhibit area, making frequent and long stops to absorb the different watercolor styles.
“People enjoy seeing different types of artwork,” said exhibition chairperson Jedda Wong.
Suri Alexander came to support her mother, whose work was part of the exhibit
“These events bring people together — especially important since arts are being lost in schools,” Alexander said
While children gazed at the watercolors, a little girl danced to the tango music with her father. Alexander called the Art Stroll an event for the family.
“It’s very kid friendly,” she said.
As the night came to an end, patrons leaving the exhibit were greeted by a circle of bongo drum players, with open seats for anyone who wanted to join the group. As the drums played, some sang along to the beat. The vibrancy of the exhibits and sense of togetherness among the artists were palpable.
“Everybody is passionate about what they do. We’re hoping others will see this passion that we have,” Kimball said.
If You Go
The Coconut Grove Art Stroll takes place the first Saturday of every month from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Promenade of the Shoppes at Mayfair in Coconut Grove. The next Art Stroll is Dec. 3rd.