Coconut Grove has held the reputation as Miami's original art district for quite some time. It all began in 1963 when Charlie Cinnamon, a local theater enthusiast, had a creative idea. He invited a small group of locals to recreate an outdoor Parisian exhibition, intending it as a publicity stunt for the Coconut Grove Playhouse's production of "Irma la Douce."

Originally from New York, Cinnamon had relocated to Miami in the late 1950s, driven by a desire to leave his mark on the city. It was during a visit to the Coconut Grove Playhouse that he found his true calling, eventually becoming a pivotal figure in Miami's vibrant arts scene.

Fast forward over fifty years, and that humble clothesline arts fair has evolved into the renowned Coconut Grove Arts Festival, now recognized as one of the largest outdoor arts festivals in the entire nation.

The Coconut Grove Arts & Historical Association remains dedicated to preserving Cinnamon's legacy by continuing the tradition of offering the South Florida community access to diverse arts experiences, spanning visual, performing, and culinary arts. Today, our Arts Festival draws tens of thousands of visitors to the winding streets of Coconut Grove each Presidents' Day weekend.