S. Fla. Budding Artists Compete For Star-Studded Mentorship

MIAMI (CBS4) - He is a world renowned artist whose paintings have been displayed all over the world, but for the next few days Roberto Juarez will be investing his time, offering expert advice and guidance to local young artists following in his footsteps.

"It is a privilege and an honor," said Roberto Juarez as he sat on the floor by one of the students analyzing her painting a the Deauville Hotel on Miami Beach. "This the future these young students have been handpicked they are all very talented."

The students 57 locals all, l promising young artists were picked among 5000 to be part of the young arts program.  "It is a great opportunity we are all very excited," said Andy Bennett from West Palm Beach who has been drawing since the age of three.

The Young Arts program was founded in 1981 by the late business man Ted Arison and his wife Lin.  Since then 16,000 students have been mentored.  The program identifies the next generation of emerging artists sand contributes to the cultural vitality of the nation by investing in the artistic development of thousands of gifted artists in nine disciplines in the visual, literary and performing arts.

The program has given 6 million dollars in scholarships and some of its alumni have become leading professionals in their fields.  Alumni include Vanessa Williams, Nicki Minaj and Oscar Nominee Viola Davis.

The student nominated in this year's young arts program will be participating in several workshops mentored by masters in the field.  Mikhail Baryshnikov, Michael Tilson Thomas, Edward Villella, Maria Martinez-Canas, Daniel Arsham, Roberto Juarez and other South Florida masters will be teaching in a variety of disciplines.  They will also have the opportunity to showcase their talents in performance and an exhibition that are free and open to the public.

For more information on the Young Arts program and a list of all the exhibitions and performances go to their website www.youngarts.org.