Art at the Beach

Smooth, milky white and iridescent pearls … hand-rolled and conditioned leather … exotic and enticing turquoise.  All of these elements come together under the skilled hands of Allison Craft, South Walton’s 2012 Artist of the Year, who creates elegant jewelry embodying the heart of the destination. 

Craft, who lives in Grayton Beach, finds inspiration for her art while looking out over the peaceful and beautiful waters of South Walton.  It’s hard to not be inspired by South Walton’s strand of 15 unique beach neighborhoods.

These quaint and eclectic neighborhoods along Northwest Florida’s Coast, with their sugar-white sand and sparkling, turquoise waters, come together to create their own vibrant and exceptional work of art:  a relaxing, 26-mile haven for artistic talent and its enthusiasts.  From galleries and studios, to openings and festivals, from performance art to distinctive architecture, the area’s thriving arts scene offers residents and visitors year-round opportunities to create a lasting memory in their perfect beach location.

A Culmination of Artistic Focus
The breadth of talent in South Walton rivals that found in major cities across the United States. In support of cultural programming and the arts community, the South Walton Tourist Development Council (TDC) honors a selected artist each year.  No matter the time or the place, the Artist of the Year demonstrates South Walton’s celebration of the arts, all year long.

Each fall a new “artist in residence” is chosen and honored with this distinction.  It’s at this time that South Walton reflects on the close of another year of lasting artistic memories, and looks forward to what’s sure to come in the next:  new one-time art encounters, monthly and annual artistic traditions, and ever-present art that is a way of life throughout South Walton’s 15 distinct beach neighborhoods.

Artists of the year are chosen based on their medium and how well they capture the nature, heritage and beauty of this coastal destination.  Allison Craft’s art, beautifully crafted leather and pearl jewelry, perfectly represents South Walton—a strand of cherished beach neighborhoods connected like pearls along Northwest Florida’s Coast.  While Allison’s work can be found in shops throughout South Walton and the southeast, 30A Studio at Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse in Grayton Beach is home to her as well as three photographers.  To see more of Allison Craft’s work online, visitwww.AllisonCraftDesigns.com.

Past Artist of the Year honorees include Allison Wickey, who recreates local scenes using a 13-step, four-day process involving Venetian plaster, acrylic paint, glazes and an orbital sander; Michael Granberry, a photographic artist from Seaside who honed his craft over the last 30 years; abstract artist Michael McCarty, who produces contemporary, modern art with acrylic on canvas; watercolorist Donna Burgess, capturing the beauty and joy of coastal life through her multi-media interpretations; wood maker Bill Stephenson, creating one-of-a-kind woodturnings in his Santa Rosa Beach studio; and, Phil Kiser, who has dedicated his life to glass art.

Art Experiences Abound

Art events and exhibits fill the calendar in South Walton, showcasing the area’s passionate artistic talent.  Developing or encouraging new ways to celebrate the arts is a focus for the South Walton Tourist Development Council, with unique and memorable events such as Digital Graffiti.  Held in Alys Beach, this outdoor projection art festival lets artists use the latest technologies to project original video art onto the resort town’s iconic white walls and rooftops.

Held every month in Seaside, the First Friday Ruskin Place ArtWalk features live music showcasing local talent and gourmet hors d’oeuvres and wine inviting guests to stroll the galleries under illuminated oak trees.  Visitors enjoy the largest collection of art galleries on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast and view new work by diverse artists.  An updated schedule of featured artists is available at www.VisitSouthWalton.com.

Each May, a week-long celebration of the arts is sponsored by the Cultural Arts Association. ArtsQuest includes gallery tours, artists at work, performances, road races, a fashion show and a champagne shopping tour.  Participating galleries and shops throughout the area showcase their own interpretation of artistic expression.  The week of festivities culminates in a vibrant two-day art festival at the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin.  Recognized as one of the finest art festivals in the Southeast, the event promotes world-class artists and their works, and includes exciting performances and entertainment.

Rosemary Beach has the honor of playing host to the West Indies Market.  This summer-season, open-air market allows browsers to discover booths filled with paintings, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, wood carvings and other handcrafted items.

The Flutterby Children’s Art Festival in October is a unique family festival to celebrate the colorful migration of the Monarch butterfly through the region.  The Rosemary Beach event features an open-air market of talented artists coupled with children’s art, crafts booths, children’s interactive art projects and other activities.  Check www.culturalartsassociation.org for more information.

Many art aficionados punctuate their Labor Day weekend with the Baytowne Wharf Art Expo, featuring world-class art and live music under the stars.  This Sandestin event brings exceptional art from the Southeast’s premier artists and galleries together for this three-day festival.  Checkwww.baytownewharf.com for more information.

The Rosemary Beach Fall Writer’s Conference offers budding authors the opportunity to explore the creative writing process.  Renowned writers, such as Lynne Barrett, John Cottle, Michael Lister and Leonard Nash, offer writing exercises, craft classes, evening readings and receptions.

The Autumn Playwright Festival celebrates the works of a playwright, featuring a weekend full of play productions, poetry readings, guest lectures, social events, music and games/activities in October.  Check www.seasiderep.org for more details.

Ever-present Art

From streets to galleries and parks to stores, it seems like art is everywhere you turn in South Walton.  No matter what type of experience encompasses your perfect brush with the arts, you can find it in the always-available options in South Walton.

If you love whimsy and playfulness, you should visit Grayton Beach and its folk art shops.  In the heart of Grayton Beach, The Zoo Gallery welcomes visitors with its quirky, colorful and energetic atmosphere.  This is a hip-hop happening shop offering jewelry, pottery, sculptures, handmade furniture and a large selection of prints and framed art.  Funky iron sculptures of animals greet visitors as they walk through the door and the airy layout begs art lovers to explore every nook and cranny.

Home to the 2006 Artist of the Year, Phil Kiser, Big Mama’s Hula Girl Gallery features funky outsider art, unique home and garden décor, handcrafted jewelry, art furniture, sculptures, pottery, vintage jewelry, bags and clothes.  The gallery is owned by Alabama folk artist Debbie Weant-Lane and showcases her creative use of color and design, and also the works of more than 30 regional artists.

If you’d prefer a more traditional gallery with a selective repertoire, then you can find it at Anne Hunter’s gallery in Rosemary Beach.  At  World Six Gallery, she features the work of 30A artists Allison Wickey (2011 Walton County Artist of the Year), Shantell Martin, Francisco Adaro, Steve Wagner and Andy Saczynski, with jewelry by Wendy Mignot and Mary Kay Samouce featuring 'Adorn,' and clothing by Nicole Paloma.

You could also pick up a souvenir and admire the extensive collection of hand-blown glass jewelry, lighting and art from more than 200 artists at Fusion Art Glass, located in Sandestin and Seaside.  Fusion is also home to an extensive Allison Craft collection.

If you’re looking for a true beach art experience besides swaying palms and colorful buildings, you’ll like Artists at Gulf Place in Santa Rosa Beach.  Nine local artists formed this art cooperative where they personally present their work to the public.  Potters, sculptors, painters, metal artists, candle makers, photographers, folk artists and furniture makers are among the talents represented at this lively marketplace.