South Walton Artists: The “Art” and Soul of Highway 30-A

Award-winning artist Juan Francisco Adaro puts the finishing touches on his mural for the 2015 ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival.   While scenic Highway 30-A might be best known for its lush landscapes and tropical tranquility, this renowned stretch of Gulfside road is also dotted with galleries displaying local and regional art. From beach paintings to driftwood furniture and seashell picture frames, these South Walton communities offer something just about everyone will love. Plan some time on your next 30-A vacation to browse the galleries or, even better, plan a stay during one of the many art festivals that take place throughout the year. Following are some of the most popular.

Art in the Park

WaterColor’s Cerulean Park and Town Center are the settings every spring for Art in the Park. Usually held in March, around Spring Break, this popular arts festival has been drawing visitors, as well as both local and regional artists, to the area for the past 10 years. Although it’s not a juried show, Art in the Park consistently features high-quality work in a variety of mediums, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, pastels, photography, prints, charcoal, glass, jewelry, fabric, pottery, wood, and mixed media. The day-long show also features plenty of food and drink and live entertainment. The show is open to the public, and admission is free. [caption id="attachment_4110" align="alignleft" width="480"] Young visitor showing off her wings at the Flutterby Festival. Photo courtesy of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County.[/caption]

ArtsQuest

ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival is held each spring — typically around Mother’s Day weekend — in South Walton. Produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and presented by Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and Visit South Walton, ArtsQuest 2016 is scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 6-8, in Sandestin’s Grand Boulevard. A juried show, ArtsQuest will feature the works of more than 125 artists working in a wide range of mediums, including ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metals, mixed media, oils and acrylics, digital art, photography, sculpture, wood, and works on paper (watercolor, prints, pastels, pencils, and ink). Artists compete for $10,000 in cash prizes. Patrons will also enjoy hands-on art demos, tasty treats, live music daily on the Grand Park Stage, and kids’ entertainment on the ImagiNation Stage. It’s a perfect way for the whole family to spend an entire day together. ArtsQuest hours are 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Plenty of free parking will be available throughout Town Center.

Digital Graffiti 

Early summer is when the graffiti artists come out in Alys Beach — Digital Graffiti artists, that is. Something you have to see for yourself to truly understand, Digital Graffiti is produced using digital technologies – projectors and laptops – to shine original artwork onto skyscrapers and other urban buildings. At Alys Beach, the white walls serve as the canvases, and the town literally becomes a living piece of art that visitors can view from its lawns, courtyards, and walkways. Last year’s festival featured 26 artists from 22 cities around the world. Winners from Italy, Sweden, Australia, Columbia, France, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States were awarded $10,000 in prizes. Best of Show went to Australia-based artist Yandell Walton. Digital Graffiti was also named the Best Weekend Event (People’s Choice) by Visit South Walton’s  annual Perfect in South Walton Awards. The ninth annual Digital Graffiti projection art festival returns to Caliza and other spots around Alys Beach on Friday, May 13, 2016. The festival, which continues on Saturday and Sunday, will again feature $10,000 in cash prizes. New for 2016 is the Friday Curator’s Tour, which will offer guests a sneak peek at some of the digital art, plus an opportunity to discuss the works with the artists and Curator Brett Phares. Saturday’s festivities begin with a preview party featuring live music, drinks, and the awards ceremony for festival winners. The evening ends with another party – live music and dancing around Caliza Pool. The festival closes on Sunday with a brunch, giving guests, artists, and judges another opportunity to mingle and discuss the artwork. [caption id="attachment_4119" align="alignright" width="524"] The white walls of Rosemary Beach become an artist's canvas during the annual Digital Graffiti projection art festival.[/caption]

30-A First Friday Art Walk

Several Highway 30-A communities have embraced the idea of creating a festival-type atmosphere for the first Friday of each month. On that day, many galleries and shops in Rosemary Beach, Seacrest, Seagrove, Seaside, WaterColor, Grayton Beach, Gulf Place, and Santa Rosa Beach stay open until about 8 p.m. On display are oil paintings, watercolors, pottery, glassware, and photography. Enjoy refreshments and live music, meet the artists, and even get a lesson or two.

Flutterby Festival 

The arrival of fall and the arrival of the beautiful monarch butterfly go hand in hand along Highway 30-A, and Rosemary Beach throws a party each year to celebrate this event. Called the Flutterby Festival, this celebration, held on East Long Green, includes arts and crafts exhibits, live music, tasty food, dance performances, and even a butterfly parade. And yes, you can bet on there being a few dozen pieces of art dedicated to the majestic monarch butterfly available for purchase. Admission is free. The next Flutterby Festival is scheduled for November 14, 2016. Keep in mind that these are but a few of the regular arts events held in the eclectic artists’ colonies lining the Highway 30-A coastline. Check our events calendar regularly for updates and more information. There are also dozens of galleries within each community on this scenic stretch of highway that are open every day for you to enjoy — and they run the gamut, just as the festivals do. So the next time you book a stay in South Walton’s Highway 30-A  for the stunning natural beauty, don’t forget to take in some of the art on display as well.

Published on Wednesday, November 25, 2015