Blown-glass artist Michael Hayes earned a Gold award at the 62nd annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival, the event's organizers announced Sept. 20.

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival said on X that Hayes' obsidian-toned vessels and wall sculptures drew crowds throughout the three-day festival, which ran Feb. 14-16 along the Biscayne Bay waterfront. The festival likened his glass pieces to weather captured in glass.

Hayes, who sells blown-glass works including wall vases and bottles through his online studio, was one of several artists recognized at the 2026 festival. Nathalia Toledo Barcia took Best in Show in the Painting/Clay category, according to the festival's recap.

Festival drew 285 juried artists from worldwide

The festival featured 285 juried artists from around the world, 40% of whom were first-time exhibitors, according to the festival's preview. The event is produced by Miami-based Loud & Live and managed by the Coconut Grove Arts & Historical Association, a nonprofit.

Festival highlights included The Stacks at Peacock Park, the Arts & Drafts Beer Garden and the Young Collectors Club, where children ages 6-12 could purchase artwork for $5.

Scholarship program grows to $75,000

This year's festival expanded its scholarship program, awarding 15 Miami-Dade high school graduates $5,000 each for a total of $75,000, according to the festival's website. The festival also launched an initiative donating customized sailboat sails to Coconut Grove's Shake-a-Leg program, which serves children and adults with physical disabilities across Miami-Dade County.

Proceeds support students and emerging artists

Pamela Mayer, chairwoman of the festival's board, said in a June profile in Community Newspapers that the festival "has always been about more than art — it's about connection, inspiration, and community."

Proceeds from the annual event fund scholarships at Florida International University and Miami-Dade high schools, a Visiting Artists Program and the Next Generation Emerging Artist Program. Applications for the 2027 Emerging Artists Program are open.

The 63rd annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival is scheduled for Feb. 13-15, 2027.