Gifford Lane Art Stroll is Sunday

The 12 Annual Gifford Lane Art Stroll is Sunday March 14 from noon to 5:00 pm.

Once a year, the Grove goes back in time to old funky arts village that it once was, sleepy tree-lined Gifford Lane is transformed into a place we all want to be. Art, music and food take over the street. Neighbors from all over the Grove converge to enjoy a day of just fun, that's it, all fun. My favorite part is Dave Collin's green delicious brew -- his yearly Cucumber Punch. You enter the house with the green door and exit with the delicious green nectar.

Between Oak and Day Avenues is where you'll find the Stroll on Gifford Lane, listen for the music and laughter, that's the spot.

Over 60 artists will line the block with lots of affordable, colorful art. Many local artists are the finest artists in the region. Art actually sells here. So do burgers, shrimp and hot dogs. You can dance in the street to the live music, which will be played all day by three local bands: Blue Man Grove, the Coffee House Gypsies and the Arts & Minds Jazz Ensemble. Other groups may drop by to join in, anything happens on Gifford Lane. It's live music, old style.

“We only have the Art Stroll one afternoon a year,” says founder Trina Collins, “but we now have residents who have purchased homes on the block because of the Art Stroll. It is all done by resident volunteers. In the months of January through March we have potluck suppers with 25 or thirty folks in people’s homes and have some amazing food and planning sessions. It is really quite remarkable how this little festival has brought so many diverse neighbors together. We all know each other as a result of this. It has made us a community. The Gifford Lane Art Stroll is a real friendly afternoon in Coconut Grove. Everybody should come out and buy some art and have some cucumber punch.”

All of the participating artists will be giving a percentage of their sales to two Grove charities -- this percentage will be added to contributions made by the public and neighbors living on the block. The two benefiting Grove charities are the St. Stephen’s AIDS Ministry and the St. Alban’s Day Care Center in the Village West. Each year, the Art Stroll donates 100% of the proceeds to the charities. Last year more than $4,000 cash was donated.

You can see the t-shirt above. They are $10 each and anyone interested can call Nathan at 215-776-1038. These are nice and probably will go fast.