When Rosemary Chavez was in middle school, she discovered an interest in art.
It wasn’t until she went to South Miami Senior High School, with the help of her art teacher, she developed her own style — realistic black-and-white drawings etched in charcoal.
In 2013, during her senior year, Chavez entered one of her pieces in the Beaux Arts Festival Student Artist Showcase, where she won first place and gained the confidence to pursue art as her career.
“I didn’t believe in myself before the contest,” said Chavez, now 20, majoring in illustration at Parsons School of Design in New York City. “ Before that contest, I thought my friends and family were the only ones who believed in me.”
The Beaux Arts Festival is Miami’s oldest juried art show, celebrating 65 years when it opens Saturday for its annual two-day show. Approximately 220 adult and 120 student artists will exhibit their pieces on the grounds surrounding the Lowe Art Museum on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus.
Initially, 400 art pieces are submitted for judging. Only the ones with the highest scores can display their work during the festival.
“The weekend of the event we have more judges come and they award first and second place in the 10 mediums that we have,” said Lynley Ciorobea, festival co-chair.
The artist with the best piece overall — “best in show” — receives a $2,500 prize. The student with the “best in show” wins $750.
This year, the Student Artist Showcase is celebrating its 15th year of offering students, such as Chavez, the opportunity to submit their art work to be judged. Categories include digital art, graphics, mixed media, painting and photography.
Festival proceeds benefit the Lowe and art-related programs for children.
“It’s pretty impressive to see the children — who are our next generation — so involved and so loving of the arts,” said Diana Moll, co-chair of the Beaux Arts Festival Student Artist Showcase.
The Beaux Arts Festival is a volunteer-driven event. About 120 women work throughout the year to bring about the festival.
“It takes a village to put this event on,” Ciorobea said. “It’s hundreds of people working the whole weekend.”
