The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County is excited to announce several new opportunities for artists to showcase their talents and contribute to our vibrant community. Whether you are an emerging artist or an established creator, we invite you to apply for the below open calls. Please review the guidelines carefully as they vary per project and submit an application prior to the noted deadlines. Foster Gallery Summer Rotation The CAA is calling all artists who are current members of the CAA to submit an application to be considered for the 2024 Summer Rotation to be hosted at the Coastal Branch Library July 23 - October 26, 2024. Please study the criteria and submit an application online prior to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024. The Big Store Mural Window Wrap Project Through a partnership between the CAA and Main Street DeFuniak Springs, a high-quality, immersive art experience will be developed with a selected artist applicant to represent Downtown DeFuniak Springs, as well as celebrate the history of The Big Store on Baldwin Ave. Please study the criteria and submit an application online prior to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024. Fall #ArtMatters Publication Cover Art The CAA is calling artists who are current members of the CAA to submit for consideration as our cover artist for the Fall 2024 #ArtMatters Publication. The CAA’s #ArtMatters Publication  has an annual distribution of 35,000 with another 1,000+ digital impressions. We are pleased to partner with Emerald Coast Magazine for home delivery of our Fall and Spring issues to Walton County subscribers. Please study the criteria and submit an application online prior to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 29, 2024. Anchored in Freeport Deadline Extension The deadline for the Anchored in Freeport Request for Artist Proposals has been extended to July 30, 2024. Please study the criteria and submit an application online prior to 11:59 p.m. We look forward to seeing your unique creations and celebrating the diverse talents of our creative community. Don't miss these opportunities to showcase your work and connect with fellow artists and art enthusiasts. HOW TO APPLY  Submit your application ONLINE before the noted deadlines. You will need to set up an account with Submittable if you do not already have one. You only have to set up your account one time, but you will need to submit to artist calls individually.

Art Month Walton County, an initiative led by the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County and sponsored in part by Visit South Walton, will provide a full month of creative offerings in May, including the “ Dine + Dive ” fundraiser for the Underwater Museum of Art, 36th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival , Longleaf Writers Conference, Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach, Mary Poppins  at Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Emerald Coast Storytellers events, Sinfonia Goes Pop in Alys Beach, and more. All happenings are part of the Art Month mission to bring together communities, organizations and businesses to present quality and diverse arts entertainment.  The mission of the Cultural Arts Alliance is to foster creativity through the inclusive and collaborative advancement of the Arts. In that spirit, we are pleased to spread the word about Arts events and programs in the month of May presented by our pARTners whose work is aligned with the CAA's vision for a thriving community in which everyone experiences the power of the Arts.  Join us Wednesday, May 1 to kick off Art Month in Grand Boulevard’s Grand Park for the ‘Dine + Dive’ fundraiser in support of the sixth installation of the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA), the nation’s first permanent artificial reef sculpture park created by the CAA and South Walton Artificial Reef Association. Doors open at 6 p.m. and guests are invited to view several of the UMA sculptures, enjoy a full cash bar with specialty cocktails, mingle with the artists, sample more than 50 wines from the Martinelli Family Winery and Sonoma County Vintners Association, taste featured items from popular area restaurants and celebrated Chefs including Bijoux, Cantina Laredo, Cinders and Salt, Citizen at Alys Beach, Down Island, Grayton Beach Catering, Great Southern Cafe, Marrow Chefs, Mozey’s, Red Fish Taco, Roux 30A, Stinky’s Fish Camp, Surfing Deer, and Swiftly Catered. Enjoy live musical entertainment from opening act Boukou Groove followed by headliner, Cousin Curtiss! 30A Songwriters Festival favorites Cousin Curtiss and Harrison B ​​are on a mission to electrify audiences everywhere with their two-man full-band sound. Think, "blues at bluegrass speeds." Imagine, "rock americana with a soulful drip." General admission tickets are $100 in advance and $125 at the door (if available). Tickets are on sale now at CulturalArtsAlliance.com/upcoming-events . To learn more about UMA, visit UMAFL.org . The Foster Gallery at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus, is the CAA’s professional artist collective showcasing over 40 rotating regional artists and special exhibitions, is currently featuring the work of the Spring Rotation artists in addition to a Special Exhibition of select works by fine photographer Patrick McFeeley scheduled to run through May 31, 2024 . Patrick has spent the past three decades exploring and capturing the Island of Maui bringing to the world the now iconic Jaws Maui, home to some of the largest waves in the world and capturing natural beauty that draws visitors from around the world. The devastating wildfires of 2023 that destroyed the town of Lahaina, Maui forced Patrick to leave his beloved island to start over. With the support of friends and family these images represent some of the beauty, majesty, and peace that is the Island of Maui. Gallery hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. The annual Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Concerts in the Village series continues May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. Each  Thursday evening concert features family-friendly premier musicians and bands performing everything from classic rock, reggae and disco to modern pop. Visit MKAF.org for the complete lineup and to purchase tickets.  May 3 is the opening night of Mary Poppins  presented by Emerald Coast Theatre Company. Sprinkle a spoonful of sugar on your spring with the delightful and enchanting Mary Poppins! This show is “practically perfect in every way” for all ages and feels like a “jolly holiday” with friends and family. Don’t miss this supercalifragilisticexpialidocious show that will lift your spirits and leave you feeling like you want to go “fly a kite!” Performances are Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 19.  For tickets and more information regarding performance dates and times, visit EmeraldCoastTheatre.org . The 36th annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival will fill Grand Boulevard’s North Park with over 120 exhibiting artists on Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 5 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Produced by the CAA and presented by Grand Boulevard and Visit South Walton, ArtsQuest includes a CAA Member Artist Gallery, student exhibitions, live art demonstrations, an interactive Public Art project, a special exhibit from the CAA’s Prison Art Program, Art on Demand LIVE workshops, continuous live music from Will Thompson Band, Anne Cline, Christon Birge Band, Alex Napier, Mari Gleason, Ohana Rock on the Road, Anthony Peebles and more, delicious food and beverage options, ImagiNation: where kids rule, and an exhibition of two of the newest Underwater Museum of Art sculptures.  Back by popular demand this year at ArtsQuest, the CAA is excited to bring its virtual Art on Demand series to the event. Art on Demand LIVE interactive workshops scheduled throughout the festival weekend and include some of our best-loved instructors Gisselle Barnhart, Melissa Davis, Mindy McClendon and Nicolaus Seegel offering instruction in painting, ceramics and fused glass workshops. Workshops are ticketed separately and registration is available at CulturalArtsAlliance.com/upcoming-events . ArtsQuest is a rain or shine event open to the public. A $5 donation per person is requested at the gate. A list of artists, the entertainment schedule and other details will be available online at CulturalArtsAlliance.com/arts-quest . ArtsQuest and Dine + Dive are supported by Grand Boulevard Town Center, Visit South Walton, Florida Arts & Culture, CHELCO Operation Round Up, David Frank Luxury Swings, Latitude Margaritaville, Salty Girls, Seaside® and Emerald Coast Magazine. The Emerald Coast Storytellers join the Art Month lineup this year on May 9 with an Open Mic Night at The Miramar Beach Creative Campus. Listen along to brave local storytellers as they share their written and spoken tales. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and stories will begin at 6 p.m. sharp. For more information and tickets, visit EmeraldCoastStorytellers.com .  The 12th Annual Longleaf Writers Conference will take place in Seaside, Fla and in other venues May 11 through 18, featuring award-winning, visiting authors Adam Johnson and Maggie Smith with other special guests including literary agents Martha Wydysh, Anjali Singh, and Duvall Osteen. Full conference registrations and a la carte seminars are available, along with options to participate in special events throughout the week, including personal consultations, readings and more. Register and purchase tickets online at LongleafWritersConference.com . Celebrating its 17th anniversary, Digital Graffiti is a one-of-a-kind projection art festival where artists use the latest digital technologies to project their original works onto the white walls of Alys Beach. This year’s event takes place Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18. Each year, the festival attracts international digital artists, filmmakers, musicians, interactive designers, photographers, VJs, producers, celebrities, agency executives and fans of art, technology and architecture. Visit DigitalGraffiti.com for tickets and details. Sinfonia Gulf Coast presents Jurassic Park in Concert featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, this epic action-packed adventure pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Sheer movie magic 65 million years in the making, bring the entire family to experience Jurassic Park in Concert as never before: projected in HD with Sinfonia Gulf Coast performing John Williams’ iconic score live to picture. Welcome… to Jurassic Park in Concert! Tickets are $30-$55. Purchase online at SinfoniaGulfCoast.org . Celebrate the Memorial Day holiday weekend in Alys Beach at the Sinfonia Goes Pops concert on Sunday, May 26 at 7:30PM. Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra will bring the classic sounds of Memphis alive with Symphonic Soul at this FREE family-friendly music spectacular. Bring blankets or low back chairs and grab a spot on the amphitheater lawn. For more information visit SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or AlysBeach.com .  Come experience the more intimate side of Emerald Coast Storytellers: face to face, pen to paper, fingers to keys on Thursday, May 30. No matter where you are on your own writing journey, this event is open to all. We'll be at the CAA’s Bayou Arts Center armed with our pens, journals, and laptops, and ready to talk shop and get to work. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a brief discussion followed by breakout time to work on individual projects or an optional writing prompt. The event is free to attend, but rsvp’s are encouraged. For more information, visit EmeraldCoastStorytellers.com . Art Month Walton sponsors include Visit South Walton, Grand Boulevard Town Center, Florida Arts & Culture, Alys Beach and Emerald Coast Magazine. Additional event sponsors are listed on individual event websites. For more information on all Art Month events, please visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com/art-month .  ART MONTH WALTON SCHEDULE MAY 1 ‘DINE + DIVE’ FUNDRAISER WITH COUSIN CURTISS BENEFITING THE UNDERWATER MUSEUM OF ART Grand Park, 600 Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach  6 - 9 p.m. MAY 1-31 FOSTER GALLERY SPECIAL EXHIBITION AT MIRAMAR BEACH CREATIVE CAMPUS 1 3370 U.S. HWY 98, Miramar Beach MAY 2 MATTIE KELLY ARTS FOUNDATION CONCERT SERIES - THE MULLIGANS   4323 Commons Dr. W, Destin Gates open at 6 p.m. Concert begins at 7 p.m.  MAY 3 - 19 MARY POPPINS Emerald Coast Theatre Company 560 Grand Boulevard, Upstairs, Miramar Beach MAY 4 - 5 36th ANNUAL ARTSQUEST FINE ARTS FESTIVAL North Park in Grand Boulevard Town Center, Miramar Beach Saturday, May 4: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 5: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. MAY 9 EMERALD COAST STORYTELLERS OPEN MIC NIGHT Miramar Beach Creative Campus, 13370 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Miramar Beach 5 - 8 p.m. MAY 9 MATTIE KELLY ARTS FOUNDATION CONCERT SERIES - RUMOURS ATL: A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE   4323 Commons Dr. W, Destin Gates open at 6 p.m. Concert begins at 7 p.m.  MAY 11 – 18 LONGLEAF WRITERS CONFERENCE Academic Village and other locations in Seaside, FL  MAY 16 - 18 DIGITAL GRAFFITI Alys Beach MAY 16 MATTIE KELLY ARTS FOUNDATION CONCERT SERIES - GOTTA GROOVE BAND 4323 Commons Dr. W, Destin Gates open at 6 p.m. Concert begins at 7 p.m.  MAY 23 MATTIE KELLY ARTS FOUNDATION CONCERT SERIES - MITCH MALLOY 4323 Commons Dr. W, Destin Gates open at 6 p.m. Concert begins at 7 p.m.  MAY 26 SINFONIA GOES POP Alys Beach 6 - 9:30 PM MAY 30 MATTIE KELLY ARTS FOUNDATION CONCERT SERIES - HALEY REINHART 4323 Commons Dr. W, Destin Gates open at 6 p.m. Concert begins at 7 p.m.  MAY 30 EMERALD COAST STORYTELLERS AFTER-HOURS WRITING NIGHT CAA’s Bayou Arts Center, 105 Hogtown Bayou Ln, Santa Rosa Beach 6 - 8 p.m.

ArtsQuest, the 36th Annual Fine Arts Festival produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA), is pleased to announce the 2024 Festival’s Featured Artist, Bradley Copeland . Her custom artwork titled “ Matapalo '' will be the featured image on all ArtsQuest marketing materials. Copeland’s work will be featured at ArtsQuest,   a beloved May tradition taking place May 4th & 5th in Grand Boulevard Town Center‘s North Park. Bradley Copeland is a prolific 26 year-old artist living in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Bradley's passion for art has existed for as long as she can remember. After moving to Florida's panhandle in 2020, her passion transformed into her career. She has since participated in numerous solo and group shows as well as other festivals and events. Her story and artwork have been featured in many different publications, including the cover story of Emerald Coast Magazine. And last year, she was awarded South Walton’s Artist of the Year Award by Visit South Walton.  Bradley considers art to be her religion, her compass, and her greatest love. Her passion for creativity evolved into a need to share its healing abilities with others, and with the help of the CAA, a brand new prison art program was born. Above everything previously described, her most rewarding accomplishment is teaching this type of creativity every week to the residents of Walton Correctional Institution. When asked where she draws her inspiration from Copeland shares, “Really from everything in and around me. I am constantly trying to better understand myself and the universe and my place in it and making art helps me make sense of all of these things.” ArtsQuest will feature over 100 other artists exhibiting and selling their work in Grand Boulevard’s North Park. Mediums include Ceramics, Sculpture, Glass, Oils, Acrylics, Mixed Media, Photography, Sculpture, Metal and Wood, Jewelry, Works on Paper, and more. These exhibiting artists from around the United States will compete for awards and cash prizes totaling $10,000 that will be decided by distinguished guest judges including Olga Guy, Watercolor Artist; Allison Galloway-Gonzalez, of Galloway-Gonzalez Consulting; and Katie Kehoe Assistant Professor, Sculpture and Expanded Media, Department of Art (FSU).  The Festival will also feature a variety of activities and attractions for art enthusiasts of all ages. Attendees can look forward to  art demonstrations, a CAA member gallery featuring many artists from The Foster Gallery, a Walton County student exhibit, a special exhibit from the CAA’s Prison Art program, an interactive public art installation, Silent Auction, continuous live music and entertainment, and “ImagiNation: where kids rule.” Continuing this year is the popular Art on Demand Live series featuring educational sessions throughout the weekend. Interested participants may register for these sessions on the Cultural Arts Alliance website in advance of the event. 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, Mary Poppins - 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, Florida Arts & Culture, CHELCO Operation Round Up, Seaside® 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.

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is pleased to announce Art for All grants totaling $32,000 were recently awarded to 13 Walton County teachers, students, artists and organizations to support arts education, creative projects and further their artistic endeavors. In its decades of fostering creativity, the CAA has awarded grants totaling more than $845,000. Thirteen Teacher Grants benefiting seven area schools, including Bay School, Freeport Elementary, Magnet Innovation Center, Seaside Neighborhood School, South Walton Academy, The Nature School Cooperative, and The WISE Magnet School were awarded. The purpose of the Teacher mini grant is to enhance the visual, literary and performing arts experience of all Walton County school-age children K-12 in public schools, private 501c (3) schools and home schools through funding for special enhancement activities established by a teacher. In addition to the Teacher Grants, two college scholarships were awarded to Avery Joyner of DeFuniak Springs and Ferrell Crawley of Santa Rosa Beach, two Walton County college-bound students who have declared a major in the visual, literary or performing arts. Local artist Merry Beth Myrick was awarded a grant for professional development to take advantage of specific skill-building educational opportunities to advance her work, and three grants were awarded to local non-profit organizations, including Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Longleaf Writers Conference, and Bay School serving Walton County in the area of Arts Education. These grants will enable the recipients to purchase materials, attend continuing education, or cover other expenses related to creative projects and reflect the diverse and vibrant creative community that the CAA aims to nurture. “The CAA was founded on giving, and we are committed to making a deeper impact each year through the funding of arts education initiatives,” said CAA Executive Director Jennifer Steele.  “We encourage artists, teachers, schools, students and organizations to apply as often as possible. The application process is simple, and we are eager to support the efforts of those who are making our community a better place through the arts.” The recipients of this round of Art for All funding include: Stacey Braxton, Bay School: Funds awarded will be used for pre-K students who are developmentally delayed, including some who are non-verbal, to engage with different types of paint, textured brushes, and various canvases to enhance their artistic experiences. Cassie Wheatley, Bay School: Funds awarded will be used for pre-K students to use visual arts to explore and express their perceptions, which is crucial for those with limited verbal communication. Materials and supplies will be provided for creating visual art projects, fostering exploration, creativity, and experimentation with color, texture, and technique. Amy Simpson, Bay Elementary: Funds awarded will be used to incorporate materials such as modeling clay, kinetic sand, and pottery clay to enhance fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, pencil grasp, and spatial awareness, ultimately improving students ability to manipulate writing utensils and perform tasks like snapping, buttoning, and tying. Kimi Parker, Freeport Elementary: Funds awarded will be used for teaching non-verbal Pre-K students, visual art, music, and dramatic play to promote communication, listening skills, peer interaction, independence, and the use of core vocabulary. These activities help students express themselves and explore various art mediums through their senses, fostering excitement and engagement. Phaedra Nunley, Freeport Elementary: Awarded funds will be used daily in the art center, dramatic play area, and various other centers during both structured and unstructured activities. Goals are to develop the students artistic ability while having fun with various different mediums and also to begin to have an appreciation for their own art, the art of peers, and the art of others outside the classroom setting. Kristin Fliehman, Freeport Elementary: Funds awarded will be used for visual art, music, and dramatic play to help non-verbal Pre-K students develop communication, listening skills, peer interaction, independence, and core vocabulary. These activities excite the students and aid in teaching colors, shapes, a love for art, and fostering fine motor skills through active learning. Heather Hester, Freeport Elementary: Funds awarded will be used to create art activity books featuring students' artwork and math-related art activities, teaching one letter each week. At the end of the year, parents will be invited to see the books, with the goal of helping students learn the alphabet through hands-on, creative activities. Margaret Aresco, Magnet Innovation Center High School: Funds awarded will be used to enhance students' understanding of human anatomy through art projects. These projects include creating 3D models of anatomical structures, making artistic interpretations of microscope slide images, drawing large-scale anatomy pathways with sidewalk chalk, and a "petri dish art" project using non-pathogenic microbes. Weidia Couts, Seaside Neighborhood School: Funds awarded will be used by seventh and eighth grade Spanish I-II students to celebrate Hispanic culture by making piñatas and Molas from Panama. This cultural celebration will engage students, promoting language proficiency and a deeper understanding and appreciation of different traditions. Ashley Hackney, South Walton Academy: Funds awarded will be used to introduce students to printmaking through linoleum and cyanotype printing projects themed around Alice in Wonderland. The goal is to build student confidence with new materials and tools, enhance their understanding of the printmaking process, and deepen their appreciation for texture, line depth, and notable printmaking artists. Korin Beckham, The Nature School Cooperative: Funds awarded will be used to build our art resource library. Students will learn about famous artists by reading biographies, looking closely and thoughtfully at their works, considering how their lives, historical period and locations affected their artwork, and to connect with those artists and art history through creating their own artwork inspired and influenced by those great works. Sharon Mosely, The Wise Center Magnet School: Funding will support opportunities for non-verbal students ages 3 and 4 to express themselves and communicate through art, using weekly stories to capture and describe their experiences without words, giving them a voice. The grant items will allow the students to explore their creativity, develop communication skills, and foster independence in their classroom activities. This will boost their confidence in showcasing their finished artwork and expanding their vocabulary to explain their creations. Kassie Young, The Wise Center Magnet School: Funds received from this grant will engage young learners in a fun interactive way allowing them to explore through play while creating and expressing themselves through music. Activities will promote positive cognitive, social, and emotional development through music and movement to foster a sense of community amongst peers. Avery Joyner, a DeFuniak Springs student currently attending the University of Central Florida majoring in Studio Art shares, “My dream is to own my own gallery, create a name for myself, travel and put on art shows, and offer private art lessons to kids who are just as passionate about art as I am.” Ferrell Crawley, a Santa Rosa Beach student now attending the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY majoring in Fine Art Painting shares, “I have created a significant body of work this year and have made an effort to work outside of class to continue to hone my skills outside of the classroom. While painting is my first love, I adore each of the artistic practices I have learned this year and will be continuing to use them throughout my career.” Merry Beth Myrick creates wearable memories of art, inspired by life and the stories shared with her. Her designs represent the past, present and future expressing the beauty, strength and grit and vulnerability. Funds awarded support her continuing education which will focus on small scale casting techniques and their history in the art of jewelry making. Bay School will use funds awarded to purchase the supplies and materials needed to create artwork for their 3rd Annual Art Show. Students will create works of art based on famous artists. The students will learn about different artists each month and have a turn to create a masterpiece based on that artist's work. By the end of the school year, students will have a portfolio of work to be displayed in the Art Show. Emerald Coast Theatre Company received an Art for All grant in support of its Theatre for Young Audiences program which includes school field trips to the theatre, an educational theatre tour, and the Theatre for the Very Young program (TVY). The TVY program’s purpose is to provide children (in school, out of school and pre-school) with the opportunity to experience live theatre where literature comes to life on stage. In this participatory multi-sensory theatre genre for children ages 6 months to 5 years and their caregivers, kids become an integral part of the storytelling and are fully engaged throughout the show by professional adult and youth actors.  Studies have shown that benefits include enhanced literary knowledge, tolerance, and empathy among children as young as 6 months up through high school. Longleaf Writers Conference received funds to support their annual event which includes a full week of intensive and generative writing workshops as well as outreach opportunities to connect the attendees and visiting scholars with seventh and eleventh grade students. Applications can be found and completed online at CulturalArtsAlliance.com/artist-resources. The next deadline for submissions is November 15, 2024. For more information about the CAA and the Art for All program, call 850-622-5970 or visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com.

Building upon the City of Freeport’s history as a port city, Anchored in Freeport is an Art in Public Spaces Project that will place concrete anchor casts decorated by local artists throughout the City of Freeport. By creating a sense of place and added beauty for the city, the project aims to unite the growing community and bring positive economic impact to the city and Walton County by enhancing the attractiveness to residents and visitors to the area. Conducted in partnership with the City of Freeport and Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County, the project is actively seeking businesses and community sponsors as well as artist applicants to apply to be a part of this extraordinary cultural initiative. Inspired by the town’s history, the anchor represents Freeport’s heritage, which dates back to 1830 when settlers were attracted to the area’s natural harbors as a source of commerce and transportation. Through the project’s custom-made, one-of-a-kind anchors, the Anchored in Freeport initiative aims to create a sense of place for the town, unite local businesses and residents, celebrate the area’s talented artists, and create a welcoming community for visitors and future residents. Cast concrete anchors will be placed in front of sponsor businesses, public parks, city buildings, churches and City of Freeport Regional Sports Complex among other identified locations within the City of Freeport.  Walton County residents and businesses are invited to become an inaugural sponsor of the project. Download sponsorship form below. Interested artists are encouraged to study the guidelines and submit an application ONLINE prior to 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 . HOW TO APPLY  Submit your application before the noted deadline. You will need to set up an account with Submittable if you do not already have one. You only have to set up your account one time, but you will need to submit to artist calls individually.

The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County is excited to welcome the 2023 Southern Prize and State Fellowships for Visual Arts touring exhibition. The public is invited to attend an opening reception for the exhibit on Thursday, June 20 from 5 -7pm at The Foster Gallery. The Southern Prize and State Fellowships for Visual Arts program showcases the talents of nine Southeastern visual artists — competitively selected by a panel of jurors from a pool of 800-plus applicants — who represent various disciplines and career levels. The fellowships are awarded in cooperation with the state arts agencies in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee — and with additional funding from other public and private donors. The touring exhibition is available through South Arts, a nonprofit regional organization that advances Southern vitality through the arts. South Arts fulfills that mission by supporting artists and organizations through a rich and responsive portfolio of grants, fellowships and programs. The organization has developed and installed exhibitions across the region featuring the Southern Prize and State Fellowship recipients since 2019. “It is an honor for the CAA to have been selected as a host partner for the Southern Prize exhibition,” said Jennifer Steele, CAA Executive Director. “South Arts has a stellar reputation for its support of Southeastern artists and organizations, and the CAA is proud to partner in bringing the incredible work of these nine artists to Walton County.” “South Arts is so pleased to be working with the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County.” said South Arts’ Vice President of Programs, Joy Young, PhD. “They have a long history of presenting artists and producing engaging arts and cultural activities for the community, so they are an ideal partner. Hosting this exhibit of regional artists is an example of a regional and local collaboration that brings the community both a unique arts experience and the resultant economic benefits.” The 2023 featured artists include Beizar Aradini (craft, Tennessee Fellow), Kelly Bryant (drawing, Alabama Fellow), Victoria Dugger (multidisciplinary, Georgia, Fellow and Southern Prize Winner), Chris Friday (multidisciplinary, Florida Fellow), Alexis McGrigg (multidisciplinary, Mississippi Fellow), Nadia Meadows (sculpture, North Carolina Fellow), Rachel Moser (multidisciplinary, Kentucky Fellow), Carlie Trosclair (sculpture, Louisiana Fellow), and Michael Webster (sculpture, South Carolina Fellow and Southern Prize Finalist). The Southern Prize and State Fellowships for Visual Arts exhibition will be on display exclusively at the gallery from June 20 to September 12, 2024. Admission to the opening reception is free and open to all. We encourage all art enthusiasts, collectors, and community members to join us for an evening of creativity, inspiration, and celebration. The Foster Gallery is located at 13370 Emerald Coast Parkway (US Hwy 98) and is part of the Miramar Beach Creative Campus featuring regional artist rotations on a quarterly basis as well as special exhibitions. The Foster Gallery at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus will also host artist receptions and openings, workshops in J. Leon Studio, events, and serve as a community gathering point symbolizing the support the CAA strives to give artists in our community, including those who are members of the CAA. The gallery is open Tuesday - Saturday from 11am until 5pm. For more information, including class schedule, ceramics services and space rental of the Miramar Beach Creative Campus for private events, call 850.842.3051 or visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com. Art work pictured: Untitled, Aalijah (Pivot) from artist Chris Friday, Florida Fellow

The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) (“St. Joe”) announces plans by the Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation, an arts-supporting non-profit organization, for the Longleaf Art Park at the Watersound Origins community. The park, which is currently under development off Origins Parkway, is planned for 15.5 acres and will be open to the public once complete. Day-to-day operations will be managed by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. The planned park will be anchored by the Passage of Time Pavilion, which will house the late artist Richard Serra’s iconic work Passage of Time. The 217-foot long 540,000-pound sculpture constructed in the artist’s preferred medium features eight two-inch thick weathering steel plates measuring 13.5 feet in height displayed in a meandering parallel arrangement. The planned Longleaf Art Park and the Passage of Time Pavilion have been designed by OLI Architecture in collaboration with Richard Serra. In order to create a destination that blends with its existing natural environment, emphasis has been placed on keeping all construction disturbances on the site to a minimum. In addition to the Passage of Time Pavilion, the park will feature amenities including an outdoor event space that will host future programming opportunities. Meandering paths and boardwalks will lead visitors from a parking area through native landscape on a journey through carefully contoured berms surrounding a pond as they approach the Passage of Time Pavilion. The pavilion is designed to be entered from glass vestibules welcoming visitors to an intimate experience with the sculpture. “The creation of the Longleaf Art Park marks the beginning of a new cultural era for Walton County and establishes the Northwest Florida region as a home and destination for artistic excellence,” said Jennifer Steele, Executive Director of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. “The importance of access to a piece of work as significant as Richard Serra’s Passage of Time cannot be overstated, and the impact it will have on our local artists, residents, students, and visitors will be limitless and lasting for generations.” Plans call for the park to be open in 2026.

The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) and Russell Carter Artist Management (RCAM) are excited to share that the 30A Songwriters Festival Summer Series returns this summer as part of a unique arts and cultural entertainment lineup at The Pavilion at Watersound® Town Center. The "Sounds of Summer" event series is scheduled for June 6 - August 15, 2024 with three slots set to feature artists from the popular 30A Songwriters Festival. Enjoy a different children’s play every month from The Seaside REP, a family movie night or a friendly Neighborhood Race with Fleet Feet. The 30A Songwriter’s Festival Showcase will feature nationally known artists like David Ryan Harris, Eliot Bronson Trio and Garrison Starr. With ample parking, a covered pavilion, and even ceiling fans – the Pavilion at Watersound Town Center is quickly becoming South Walton’s destination for outdoor events. FULL SUMMER DETAILS: June 6: Jack & The Beanstalk - The REP Children’s Theatre June 13: David Ryan Harris – 30A Songwriters Showcase June 20: Neighborhood Fun Run June 27: Elemental – Outdoor Movie Night July 11: Rapunzel – The REP Children’s Theatre July 18: Eliot Bronson Trio & Garrison Starr – 30A Songwriters Showcase July 25: Kids Fair & Music August 1: The Adventures of Pinocchio – The REP Children’s Theatre August 8: Holly Williams – 30A Songwriters Showcase August 15: Neighborhood Fun Run WHERE: The Pavilion at Watersound® Town Center 85 Origins Main Street, Watersound, FL 32461 COST: FREE * FAMILY FRIENDLY * OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WHEN: Thursdays, June 6 – August 15 FOR MORE INFORMATION: WatersoundTownCenter.com

CALL TO ARTISTS The CAA is calling all member creatives interested in applying for our second Miramar Beach Creative Campus Market, scheduled for Thursday, June 6 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus on Emerald Coast Parkway. Submissions will be juried and the market will host 20 artists. Please study the guidelines for the Summer Market and submit an application ONLINE prior to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21. ABOUT THE FOSTER GALLERY The Foster Gallery is named for the late Susan Foster, a founder of the Cultural Arts Alliance.  The gallery is part of the Miramar Beach Creative Campus featuring regional artist rotations on a quarterly basis as well as special exhibitions. The Foster Gallery at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus will also host artist receptions and openings, workshops in J. Leon Studio, events, and serve as a community gathering point symbolizing the support the CAA strives to give artists in our community, including those who are members of the CAA. GALLERY LOCATION AND HOURS OF OPERATION The gallery is located at 13370 Emerald Coast Parkway, Miramar Beach, FL  32550. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11 AM – 5 PM. HOW TO APPLY Submit your application ONLINE before the noted deadline. You will need to set up an account with Submittable if you do not already have one. You only have to set up your account one time, but you will need to submit to artist calls individually.

As a current member of the Cultural Arts Alliance, you are invited to present up to three pieces of your artwork, for sale or display, in the CAA Member Art Tent during the 36th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival alongside over 100 juried artists. The Festival begins Saturday, May 4 at 10:00 a.m. and runs through Sunday, May 5 at 5:00 p.m. and is being held in Grand Boulevard Town Center. If you are interested, and your work is of a caliber to show in a Fine Arts Festival, please read our requirement guidelines below carefully. There will be a CAA Members "Best in Show” winner who will receive a $100 award. The CAA will accept original art in any medium, including paintings, photography, glass art, wood, baskets, fiber, fabric art, metal art, and pottery. The first 40 applicants meeting the requirement guidelines will be accepted in the order in which they are received. Requirement Guidelines: 1. In order to exhibit, you must be a current CAA Member. Not yet a member? No problem! Join online today. 2. To be an exhibiting member artist, you are required to volunteer four hours during the show. Volunteers are not guaranteed to be stationed at the Member Tent and could be assigned to help out in other capacities of ArtsQuest. 3. No prints or Giclée prints of Paintings or Watercolors. Gallery Wrap paintings not framed must have 1.5 inch sides. Photography printed on Gallery Wrap Canvas with 1.5 inch sides is acceptable as well as printed, matted, and framed photography. One of a kind original. 4. Limit is 3 pieces per artist, with a maximum size of 30” X 40,” which includes the frame. This includes Photography. More art may be accepted if space permits. You may bring five pieces of art if small, handmade pieces of Marble, Glass Art, Wood, Baskets, Metal Art, Fiber, Fabric Art and Pottery which will be displayed on a table or stand. 5. Artwork is to be delivered to the Member Tent in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin FRIDAY, May 3, between Noon and 3:00 p.m. All pieces to be hung MUST arrive ready for hanging with appropriate frame, hardware and wire attached. ”D” Rings preferred. Saw-teeth hooks are not permitted. Do not bring ”S” hooks, no longer needed. 6. IDENTIFICATION is required on each piece. We suggest a business card or index card be attached to the right back and front bottom right, including Name of Artist, Title, Medium, Size and Firm Price, including sales tax. Artists are responsible for reporting their sales tax (7%). 7. NOTE: CAA is not responsible for selling items that are not clearly priced. 8. This show is limited to "fine art” categories only. Crafts and food items will not be accepted. 9. Artists are responsible for monitoring weather and picking up their art in case of inclement weather. 10. All artwork must be picked up Sunday, May 5 between 5 and 6 p.m. The submission deadline is Tuesday, April 23 and the application can be accessed by clicking the button below. You will need to set up an account with Submittable if you do not already have one. You only have to set up your account one time, but you will need to submit to artist calls individually. CAA is pleased to offer our members this wonderful opportunity to display and sell their work as a membership benefit valued at $110. We look forward to receiving your application! Allie Anderson Events Director Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County Donnelle Clark Member Artist Tent Chair 2024 ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival 850.687.9210 To learn more about the 36th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival, click here.

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts project award of $20,000. This matching grant will support public art and arts education at the Point Washington Medical Clinic. In total, the NEA will award 958 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling more than $27.1 million that were announced as part of its first round of fiscal year 2024 grants. “The NEA is delighted to announce this grant to the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA), which is helping contribute to the strength and well-being of the arts sector and local community,” said National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “We are pleased to be able to support this community and help create an environment where all people have the opportunity to live artful lives.” For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news. As part of its mission to foster the inclusive and collaborative advancement of the Arts in Walton County, the CAA establishes program partnerships with mission-aligned nonprofit and for-profit organizations in support of its vision for a thriving Walton County in which everyone can experience the power of the Arts. In this spirit, the partnership between the PWMC and the CAA’s Art in Public Spaces program serves to enhance the interior beauty of the clinic’s new facility by bringing in 2D and 3D works by local artists, large scale murals and an exterior sculpture by Anthony Heinz-May, crafted with oak material from the surrounding natural landscape. Participating artists include Francisco Adaro, Melody Bogle, Lynn Crow, Doug Foltz, Justin Gaffrey, Ashley Longshore, Mindy McClendon, Bailey Miller, Sarah Page, Nicolaus Seegel, Dorothy Starbuck, Allison Wickey, Arix Zalace and Jamie Zimchek. The collaboration will grow to include rotating exhibitions, arts education, and interactive art activities for children and adults. The NEA funds awarded require a one to one match and the organizations are actively seeking financial contributions to support this initiative. If you are interested in learning more about this meaningful opportunity, contact Gabby Callaway at gabby@culturalartsalliance.com. “The Point Washington Medical Clinic is a necessary gem in our community, and we are proud and grateful to the NEA for enabling us to support local artists that have created original artwork for the clinic’,” said CAA Executive Director Jennifer Steele. “From small art activities to art classes for all ages to vibrant art around every corner of the facility, our goal is for everyone to have access to and experience the healing power of art in all forms.” In addition to the art installations at the clinic, a new 11’ x 30’ mural created by local artist Sarah Page and funded by the St. Joe Community Foundation was recently installed at The Pavilion at Watersound® Town Center. The abstract design serves as a backdrop for events and gatherings and  evokes movement and play in a space that is a major focal point of the Watersound® community. The mural adds to the CAA’s growing Art in Public Spaces program that includes the nation’s first Underwater Museum of Art, the Watersound® Monarch Art Trail, art works throughout Walton County as well as planned installations at the upcoming U.S. Highway 98 Pedestrian Underpass. As part of the CAA’s ongoing partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Walton County, the CAA facilitated the donation of a large-scale mural that was installed in an interior hallway of the South Walton Club. The art work, donated by the Watersound Inn, is by renowned Southern artist duo Patterson & Barnes whose compositions incorporate the use of many mediums including acrylic, watercolor, India ink, collage and constructions. The CAA and Boys & Girls Club wish to thank the St. Joe Company, Watersound Inn and Blue Water Property Management for their sponsorship of this project. For more information about the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, call 850-622-5970 or visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com.

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is excited to announce 30A Songwriters Festival favorite Cousin Curtiss will headline the “Dine + Dive” fundraiser for the Underwater Museum of Art. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 1, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, in Grand Boulevard’s Town Center and is the official kick-off party for Art Month Walton County, a month-long celebration of the Arts that includes many diverse cultural events throughout the month of May. The CAA and South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) are pleased to expand the former “Under the Sea” event to an immersive fusion of fine art, food, wine, and marine conservation igniting all of the senses featuring scores of incredible wines to sample, more than a dozen restaurant tasting stations with special food menu items from some of South Walton’s most popular restaurants and celebrated Chefs, along with a cash bar offering signature cocktails and beer. Event headliner Cousin Curtiss brings to the stage a fiery dynamic rarely seen by a solo act and now partnered up with the equally enigmatic and soulfully driven electric guitar prowess of Harrison B, these two road warriors are on a mission to electrify audiences everywhere with their two-man full-band sound. Think, "blues at bluegrass speeds." Imagine, "rock americana with a soulful drip." Experience rapid fire acoustic guitar, incendiary harmonica, fiercely energized solos, all driven by a thunderous kick drum. In addition to continuous live music, “Dine + Dive” party-goers will have an opportunity to meet UMA artists from current and previous installations as well as receive an exclusive preview of several of the original works created for the 2024 installation before the sculptures are deployed to the UMA site over the summer. Tickets for this awe-inspiring experience are on sale now at CulturalArtsAlliance.com/upcoming-events for $100 per person in advance and $125 per person day of the event, if available. The “Dine + Dive '' event is produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County with support from Visit South Walton, Grand Boulevard Town Center, SWARA, and Word of Mouth Restaurant Group. A few event and sculpture sponsorships are still available, and those interested can contact Gabby Callaway at Gabby@culturalartsalliance.com for more details. Funds raised from “Dine + Dive'' ticket sales and sponsorships will benefit the sixth deployment of sculptures into the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA), a collaborative project with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) and the nation’s first permanent dedicated sculpture museum, recognized as one of TIME magazine’s 2018 100 World’s Greatest Places as well as one of National Geographic’s Best Trips 2019 and a 2023 CODA Award winner. The UMA is a project of the CAA’s 'Art in Public Spaces' program created in partnership with SWARA with the purpose to create marine habitat and expand fishery populations while providing enhanced creative, cultural, economic and educational opportunities for the benefit, education and enjoyment of residents, students and visitors in South Walton. The 2024 UMA installation will include the following pieces of sculpture: Reef Goddess by Raine Bedsole (Santa Rosa Beach, FL), Deep Sea Three by Matthew Gemmell and David Showalter (Baltimore, MD), Sea How We Flow by Elise Gilbert (Santa Rosa Beach, FL), Poseidon’s Throne by Nathan Hoffman (Highlandville, MO), Bubby Barnacles by Donna Conklin King (East Orange, NJ), Sunken Spores by Ashley Rivers (Gulfport, FL), and Ring My Bell by Bradley Touchstone (Santa Rosa Beach, FL). Select sculptures will be on display at the fundraiser and throughout the weekend during the 36th annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival in Grand Boulevard’s Town Center May 4th and 5th and will then be transferred to Orange Beach, AL to be prepared for their deployment into the Gulf this summer to expand the museum as they join the previously deployed 40 sculptures. The UMA site is located less than one mile off the coast of Grayton Beach State Park in a one-acre permit patch of seabed. The UMA project is produced with support from Visit South Walton, Florida Arts and Culture, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Laurel Machine & Foundry, Seagrove Village Market Café, St. Joe Community Foundation, Touchstone Architecture and the Ellis Family. For more information, visit UMAFL.org or CulturalArtsAlliance.com.