CAA Announces 2021 ArtsQuest Featured Artist

ArtsQuest, the 33rd annual fine arts festival produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA), is pleased to announce the 2021 Festival’s Featured Artist, Chandler Williams. Chandler was also recently named Visit South Walton’s 2021 Artist of the Year and is the owner of Modus Photography and Modus Gallery in Grayton Beach, Fla.

ArtsQuest is a juried show scheduled to take place October 9 & 10, in the Town Center of Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. William’s artwork titled "Rising from the ashes" will be the featured image on all ArtsQuest marketing materials.

“It’s very exciting to showcase Chandler and his newest work at ArtsQuest,” said Cultural Arts Alliance Executive Director Jennifer Steele. “He has been an important part of the festival and the CAA for many years, and we are thrilled to celebrate his talent, success as Artist of the Year, and contributions to Walton County’s creative community.”

Williams is a longtime member of the Cultural Arts Alliance and his wide range of work will be on display at ArtsQuest, including his featured artwork, which will be incorporated into this year’s marketing campaign.“It's an honor to be the featured artist in this year's ArtsQuest,” said Williams.

Presented by Grand Boulevard with additional support from Visit South Walton, the Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and Emerald Coast Magazine, ArtsQuest will feature over 100 national, regional and local artists in various mediums including, but not limited to, ceramics, glass, oil and acrylics, photography, sculpture, metal and wood. The juried exhibiting artists from around the United States will compete for awards and cash prizes totaling $10,000.

The Festival will offer a CAA member artist exhibit, a Walton County student exhibit, ImagiNation featuring the Uniquely Clever Art Bus, and continuous live music and entertainment. A full cash bar will be available throughout the weekend in Grand Park.

Usually held over Mother’s Day weekend, this year’s festival was rescheduled to the fall due to the pandemic and will be part of National Arts & Humanities Month which was established in 1993 by Americans for the Arts and is celebrated every October in the United States. It was initiated to encourage Americans to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives, and to begin a lifelong habit of participation in the arts and humanities.

Volunteers are needed throughout ArtsQuest weekend to work on all aspects of the festival. Those willing to help can sign up at CulturalArtsAlliance.com/volunteer or email gabby@culturalartsalliance.com.

ArtsQuest is a rain or shine event. The festival is open to the public, and a $5 admission donation is requested. Visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com for more information about ArtsQuest as well as other events and programs.

About Featured Artist Chandler Williams

An enthusiastic artist with a keen eye for detail, Chandler Williams has combined his passions -- travel and photography -- into a thrilling career. As a teenager, he realized travel was in his blood after buying a one way bus ticket to live with his sister in New Mexico. Shortly afterward, a sports journalist mentored him in the art of photography and developing film, and so his interest in photography was born. The next few years found Williams, camera in hand, trekking across the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica on the lookout for awesome experiences and, of course, the perfect shot.

Chandler is the owner of Modus Photography and Modus Gallery. The gallery exclusively features his work which provides a blend of the local beach communities along Highway 30A and the Gulf Coast, travel landscapes of Florida and lifestyles with domestic and international flair. Visit ModusPhotography.com for more information.