Interactive, family-friendly art fest set Published Thursday, The South Miami ArtExpo 2000 will spread its cultural flavor by presenting more than 100 artists and their works in the first art fest of the year. The ArtExpo will feature a gathering of arts and crafts presented by nationally renowned and up-and-coming artists. Spectators will find a variety of art -- watercolor, clay, fiber, glass, sculpture, painting, photography, wood and printmaking and drawings, jewelry and metalwork and mixed media. ``In my opinion, art is the language of mankind,'' said Jorge Garcia, chairman of the festival, and also president of the Cultural Affairs Council of South Miami. ``What we leave behind is usually an expression of art. It will give the people of South Miami a voice.'' The ArtExpo 2000 is free to the public, but money donated by the show's 16 sponsors and the money paid by the artists to rent out booths will be more than enough to donate to the Cultural Affairs Council of South Miami, the local nonprofit arts organization. Proceeds will fund year-round arts programs and benefit the group's scholarship fund. ArtExpo 2000 also will offer opportunities for the whole family to get involved in the show's cultural festivities. For example, youth-related activities and a ``FUNscape interactive showcase'' of the latest technologies on the Internet will be featured. All artists will be present to speak to the public. Also, a ``World Wide Web'' mural is being presented by local artist Xavier Cortada. ``I think there are a lot of people that don't get exposed to arts
and crafts. Kids need to be exposed to it,'' said Wanda Hammon, another ArtExpo's
organizer. ``A lot of the shows are hands-on. I think it is important to keep the public
aware.''
|