Gallery owner Johnny Valdes set his eyes on the streets when he started looking for a better way to showcase his artists and bring monthly culture to Coconut Grove's nightlife.

That's how The Coconut Grove Art Stroll was created.

It has now become a monthly evening of artists, live music, dance performances and food and beverage samplings.

The free family event takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday -- it happens every first Saturday of the month -- at the Promenade at Mayfair.

More than 50 local artists such as Proman Garcia, Jessica Alvares and Arturo Palomino will be selling their work this weekend.

Art at the festival runs the gamut from abstract oil paintings to photography and retails from $5 up to $15,000.

Also on hand will be restaurants like Chili's and The Ivy offering complimentary food and art classes offered by a character Valdes created called Captain Art.

``He's similar to Captain America, but he teaches art basics like what a color wheel is, how to hold a paint brush or how to water paint,'' said Valdes, 39. ``The parents love it.''

Valdes said the event has grown since he and cofounder Cynthia Bettner, a former marketing director for CocoWalk, launched it.

``We've gotten more artists and more sponsors and of course a bigger audience,'' said Valdes who produces the event by charging artists $100 a year to participate.

He also uses in-kind sponsors and personal funds.

``The $100 fee goes back into making fliers and helping to promote the event,'' he said.

Valdes, who is in the process of relocating and revamping his two galleries and the Coconut Grove Art Stroll from CocoWalk to Mayfair, says he is thrilled with the success of the event.

``We have people as far as Pompano Beach and Monroe County coming out,'' he said. ``This area has died and I'm hoping this event overtime will revive the Grove and bring it back to how it used to be.''

The event takes place at the Promenade at Mayfair, 2911 Grand Ave. For more information, check out www.myspace.com/coconutgroveartstroll.

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