CAA Announces 2025 ArtsQuest Featured Artist

The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County, proudly announces Gerard Frank as the Featured Artist for the 37th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival. Frank’s custom artwork—One Man Show—will be showcased on all ArtsQuest marketing materials. The festival, a beloved May tradition, will take place May 3-4, 2025, at Grand Boulevard Town Center’s North Park.

Frank, a professional artist for 26 years, holds the distinction of being the first living artist included in the permanent collection of the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for the Visual Arts. His work is also featured in The Lofts Gallery in Pensacola, FL, and a prestigious Central Park West lobby in New York City. His collectors span the U.S., from Miami to NYC’s SoHo district to Long Beach, CA, and internationally in Germany. In addition to his fine art career, Frank has dedicated over two decades to tattoo artistry, owning and operating his own shop while exhibiting in multiple galleries across the country.

A self-taught painter with a background in commercial screen printing, Frank has worked with clients such as Hewlett-Packard, Boeing, and Lucent Technologies. His expertise in printing on diverse materials—including plastics, metals, wood, and glass—helped shape his abstract style. Encouraged by his wife, Teri, he continues to explore creative boundaries, blending fine art and tattoo artistry.

“As humans we have a desire to belong to something. As artists, we exist in a paradox—trusting our process even when it separates us from the group,” says Frank. “When people connect with your work as deeply as you connect with creating it, you’ve achieved a fundamental human desire: belonging. Being named the Featured Artist for ArtsQuest 2025 is an incredible honor, reinforcing my passion and obligation to keep creating.”

"Gerard’s work embodies the bold creativity and dedication to craft that ArtsQuest celebrates," said Melissa Wheeler, Vice-President Marketing & Strategy of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. "His unique artistic journey and powerful storytelling through visual art make him an inspiring choice as our Featured Artist for 2025. We are thrilled to showcase his incredible talent and share his work with our community and visitors."

ArtsQuest will feature over 125 artists from across the U.S., exhibiting in a variety of mediums, including ceramics, sculpture, glass, oils, acrylics, mixed media, photography, metal and wood, jewelry, and works on paper. Artists will compete for awards and cash prizes totaling $10,000, judged by a panel of distinguished experts. 

Beyond the art, attendees can enjoy live demonstrations, a CAA member exhibit featuring artists from The Foster Gallery, a Walton County student exhibit, a special showcase from the CAA’s Prison Art program, an interactive public art installation, a silent auction, continuous live entertainment, and “ImagiNation: Where Kids Rule.” A full cash bar will be available throughout the weekend in Grand Park.

ArtsQuest is part of Art Month Walton County, a collaboration of visual, performing and literary arts events presented in diverse formats and venues throughout Walton County in May. Art Month Walton also includes Dine + Dive - a fundraiser for the Underwater Museum of Art, Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach, the Longleaf Writers Conference, an Open Mic Night with Emerald Coast Storytellers, Sinfonia Goes Pop at Alys Beach, Legally Blonde - a production from Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Gallery events, concerts, and more.

Presented by Grand Boulevard Town Center, with additional support from Visit South Walton, Hwy 331.com and Emerald Coast Magazine, 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. Sponsorships are still available, and interested businesses can contact Gabby@culturalartsalliance.com for more information.

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 Art Month events, which are supported in part by Visit South Walton.