CAA Announces Installation of 10 Murals to Hwy 98 Pedestrian Underpass

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is proud to announce that original murals commissioned and created by 10 local artists were recently installed on the walls of Walton County’s first pedestrian underpass at U.S. Highway 98 in Inlet Beach, which opened to the public over Labor Day weekend. The 136-foot-long underpass frames the east end of Walton County at the high-traffic corner of Hwy. 98 and County Hwy. 30A, both designated scenic corridors. 

The installation includes artworks by Francisco Adaro, Katherine Boggs, Heather Clements, Bradley Copeland, Olga Guy, Wes Hinds, Sarah Page, Andy Saczynski, Andrea Scurto and Lindsay Tobias. Artists were selected from the CAA’s pre-vetted Public Artist Directory and each created a mural measuring 20 ft wide x 8 ft high. 

The public art component is part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s greater $5.6 million Underpass project and was created in collaboration with Scenic Walton, Walton County Board of County Commissioners, and Walton County Tourism Department. Additional support was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, St. Joe Community Foundation, Rosemary Beach Realty, Market 30A, 30A.com, Morning Star Foundation, 30Avenue, Howard Group, and John and Nina Freer. 

“After years of planning and collaboration, we are excited to unveil these works of art in an underpass that will provide safe passage to so many Walton County residents and visitors,” said CAA President & CEO Jennifer Steele. “ The murals wonderfully express the theme of connectivity and relationship among humans, nature, and our built environment, and the CAA is grateful to be a part of this important project that provides connection for our community.”

All are invited to attend the Inlet Beach Underpass Get Down event on Saturday, September 28 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in celebration of the new underpass. The “Get Down” will feature an official ribbon cutting and parade through the tunnel followed by live music and arts activities on the Green at 30Avenue. The event is free and open to the public, and food and beverages will be available for purchase from 30Avenue’s restaurants.

The installation will grow to include Underwater Museum of Art (UMA) replica sculptures, including Common Chord from Vince Tatum sponsored by St. Joe Community Foundation, Let’s Not Blow This from Kevin Reilly sponsored by Rosemary Beach Realty, and The Grayt Pineapple from Rachel Herring McCord, that will be installed on the north and south entrances of the underpass in late fall 2024. Produced in partnership with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association, the UMA was the first Art in Public Spaces project for the CAA. 

The CAA’s Art in Public Spaces Program is designed to foster collaboration, celebrate community, encourage tourism and exploration, stimulate the economy, and enhance the physical environment as well as the unique culture and beauty of Walton County.