BEAUX ARTS OF THE LOWE ART MUSEUM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INC

BEAUX ARTS WAS FOUNDED IN 1952 BY FIFTY MEMBERS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ANNE ATKINSON, THEN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE NEWLY BUILT JOE AND EMILY LOWE ART GALLERY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI. THE PURPOSE OF THE GROUP WAS TO PROVIDE IMPROVEMENTS, EQUIPMENT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE LOWE ART MUSEUM. THE ORGANIZATION NOW HAS OVER 450 VOLUNTEERS AND HOLDS THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND IS NOW A JURIED SHOW WITH OVER 200 PARTICIPATING ARTISTS IN 10 DIFFERENT MEDIUMS ON THE GROUNDS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI. IT IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE LEADING ART SHOWS IN THE COUNTRY AND ATTRACTS ACCLAIMED ARTISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. IN 2002 BEAUX ARTS ADDED THE STUDENT ARTIST SHOWCASE (SAS) TO THE FESTIVAL OF ART EVENT WEEKEND. MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL AGED STUDENTS FROM BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS ENTER THEIR WORKS OF ART TO A JURIED ART CONTEST. OVER 350 ART PIECES ARE JUDGED. THE FINALISTS AND WINNERS' WORKS OF ART ARE EXHIBITED AT THE LOWE ART MUSEUM DURING THE FESTIVAL OF ART WEEKEND AND A RECEPTION IS HELD IN THEIR HONOR. CASH PRIZES ARE AWARDED TO WINNERS IN FIVE ART CATEGORIES. ONE STUDENT IS HONORED WITH THE BEST IN SHOW AWARD.THE BEAUX ARTS BALL WAS INSTITUTED IN 1953 AS A MAJOR FUNDRAISING EVENT, AND HOLDS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE OLDEST COSTUME BALL IN SOUTH FLORIDA. THEMES VARY WIDELY, FROM "NOAH'S ARK", "JAMES BOND", TO "OCEANS AWAY AND THE CREATIVITY OF COSTUMES MAKES EACH YEAR A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE.IN 1987, BEAUX ARTS INTRODUCED A NEW OUTREACH PROJECT, "HANDSON! A CHILDREN'S CELEBRATION IN ART." TODAY THE PROGRAM BRINGS UNDERSERVED KIDS FROM ALL OVER MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO THE MUSEUM FOR A DAY OF FUN AND LEARNING. THE PROGRAM ENABLES STUDENTS FROM TITLE 1 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS CHARLEE HOMES FOR CHILDREN, TO VISIT THE MUSEUM FREE OF CHARGE AND WITH PAID TRANSPORTATION, LEARN ABOUT SPECIFIC EXHIBITS AND PARTICIPATE IN ART PROJECTS. IN 2013, BEAUX ARTS DOUBLED THE SIZE OF THIS PROGRAM AND HOSTED OVER 700 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN. IN 2014, BEAUX REACHED OUTSIDE OF THE MUSEUM SETTING AND BROUGHT THIS ART APPRECIATION PROGRAM TO CHILDREN RESIDING AT THE CHAPMAN PARTNERSHIP HOMELESS SHELTER. IN1953 WITH SUPPORT FROM BEAUX ARTS, THE CHILDREN'S PAVILION AT THE LOWE WAS BUILD AND IS THE SITE OF CHILDREN'S ART CLASSES/CAMP, HELD PRIMARILY DURING SCHOOL BREAKS IN THE WINTER, SPRING, AND SUMMER. IT IS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN, AGES 5-12, TO EXPLORE THEIR OWN CREATIVITY. BEAUX ARTS CONTINUES TO EXPAND THE YEAR-ROUND CLASS OFFERINGS, THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH BENEFIT THE LOWE.