The Cultural Arts Alliance’s mission is to foster creativity in Walton County through the inclusive and collaborative advancement of the Arts. This is our team’s mantra and daily inspiration. It challenges us to consider how our partnerships and cross-sector collaborations can advance the Arts and help solve nonarts issues in our community to ensure a thriving Walton County.
The Underwater Museum of Art, founded in 2018, is a strong example of our cross-sector work that brought together two surprising partners - the CAA and the South Walton Artificial Reef Association. Thanks to artist, CAA board member, and diver Allison Wickey’s imagination, SWARA’s expertise and willingness to think outside their normal operations, and financial and technical support from many departments within Walton County, our collective was able to create the nation’s first underwater sculpture park that acts as an artificial reef in our Gulf off the coast of Grayton Beach.
Because of UMA’s success and international renown, we have another groundbreaking collaboration with a new partner: the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation (FCSF). FCSF provides financial support to cancer patients in Florida, giving them peace of mind and allowing them to “focus on what really matters— fighting cancer.”
This summer’s deployment will introduce The Menina of the Reef: An Infinite Message (La Menina del Arrecife: Un Mensaje Infinito) sculpture by Spanish artist Antonio Azzato, which will be fabricated and deployed to raise awareness of FCSF’s mission. Now, the UMA will not only serve as a catalyst for health in our Gulf waters but also as a symbol of hope to those going through the hardest times in their lives.
On April 30, we will unveil Azzato’s sculpture at the Dine + Dive event - a celebration of art, community and conservation - which not only raises funds to support the UMA’s seventh deployment, but also officially kick-offs Art Month Walton County. The sculpture, along with several others, will also be featured at the ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival in Grand Boulevard’s Town Center through May 4. Don’t miss this public art exhibit before the sculptures embark on their journey to their permanent underwater home. May they spark creativity in your own life and serve as a testament to the power of collaboration for the greater good of our community.
Sincerely,
JENNIFER STEELE, President & CEO Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County
Cetacean
by Artist Pat Mclain
JENNIFER STEELE President & CEO
GABBY CALLAWAY Director of Advancement
MEET THE TEAM
CAA STAFF MEMBERS
2024-2025 BOARD MEMBERS
Alexis Miller, Chair
Allison Wickey, Vice Chair
Kevin Dooney, Secretary
Tom Watson, Treasurer
Chloe Berkowitz
Kevin Boyle
Angela Fiorita-Day
Karah Fridley-Young
Jerry Heffel
Mike Kerrigan
Diana Lane
Jessica Porter
JoAnn Ribaudo
Jennifer Smith
Stephen Stabler
Shawn Tomasello
Kara Wootson
MELISSA WHEELER
COURTNEY MALONE Director of Programs & Creative Placemaking
MICHELLE TOUCHSTONE Director of Finance & Operations
LEE GREENE Director of Administration
PAM SINGH Program Manager
ELISE GILBERT Program Manager
ALLIE ANDERSON Director of Events
BRAD STEELE Maintenance Manager
KATIE WITHERSPOON Development & Program Manager
PARKER MALONE Events & Operations Coordinator
SUSAN FOSTER FOUNDERS
$5,000 Annual Contribution
Jane & Steve Denton
Miriam & James Dillon
Marguerite Enderle
Angela Jackson
JoAnn Ribaudo & Kajsa Larsson
Phill and Janice May
SUSTAINERS
$2,500 Annual Contribution
Cindy Braaten
Jerry Heffel
Nanette Ream
Lynne & Steve, Dylan & Sarah, & Emily Spencer
Ed Walborsky
Tom & Suzanne Watson
CIRCLE OF CHAMPIONS
$1,500 Annual Contribution
Rose Ann Fiorita
Hannah Martin
Mark & Jana Rankin
Lynn Schneider
Michelle Touchstone
Randy & Jacque Wheeler
MEMBER
ROSTER
The CAA’s Circle of Champions is for individuals and businesses to support our mission of fostering creativity in Walton County through the inclusive and collaborative advancement of the Arts. In joining this dedicated group of leaders, you’re not just making a generous donation to support our cause, you’re helping to keep creativity alive and make a real and lasting impact.
CulturalArtsAlliance.com/join
PUBLIC SPACES ART IN
Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation Announce Underwater Museum of Art Sculpture Collaboration
The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is excited to announce a groundbreaking collaboration between the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA) and the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation (FCSF) that will introduce a unique addition to the UMA’s seventh annual installation. The Menina of the Reef: An Infinite Message (La Menina del Arrecife: Un Mensaje Infinito) sculpture by Spanish artist Antonio Azzato will be fabricated and deployed in the Summer of 2025 to raise awareness of FCSF’s mission to provide support and peace of mind to cancer patients in Florida.
Since 2018, Azzato has reimagined Diego Velázquez’s iconic 17th-century painting, Las Meninas or Ladies in Waiting, as a larger-than-life public art exhibition depicting a stylized version of the painting’s subject, the Infanta Margaret Theresa. These sculptures, adorned with designs from international artists and celebrities, have graced the streets of Madrid, Spain each fall, and Caracas, Venezuela, with their sales supporting charitable causes. Now, for the first time,
one of Azzato’s sculptures will be submerged underwater, creating a living reef that fosters marine life and symbolizes the transformation and resilience of cancer patients and survivors. UMA deployment partner Walter Marine / The Reefmaker will work with Azzato to bring the Menina artwork to life.
Azzato reflects on the significance of his latest work, stating, “The Menina of the Reef is more than just a sculpture—it is a symbol of strength, transformation, and resilience. Just as the ocean nurtures new life around these underwater sculptures, I hope this artwork serves as a source of inspiration and renewal for those facing the challenges of cancer. It is an honor to see my work become part of this meaningful project, merging art, nature, and hope beneath the waves. More than 350 sculptures of my Meninas have traveled through the streets of different cities, conveying messages, and I am very happy because this will be the first Menina to deliver a very special message—only this time, from the depths of the sea.”
Named in 2018 by TIME Magazine as one of 100 “World’s Greatest Places” and recipient of the 2023 CODAAward for Collaboration of the Year, the UMA is the cornerstone of the CAA’s Art In Public Spaces Program. It is produced in partnership with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association 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 Walton County. The UMA is located in a one-acre permit patch of seabed off Grayton Beach State Park, and the 2025 installation will expand the artwork count to 53. UMA sculptures are deployed with SWARA’s existing USACOA and FDEP-permitted artificial reef projects, including nine nearshore reefs located within one nautical mile of the shore in approximately 58 feet of water.
“This meaningful collaboration with the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation reinforces the power of the Arts to uplift and inspire,” said CAA President & CEO Jennifer Steele. “It is an honor to be associated with an international artist of Antonio Azzato’s caliber to bring attention to Art as an artificial reef supporting marine health and as a form of support for our fellow Floridians facing life-changing challenges.”
“The Menina of the Reef is a beacon of hope, connecting art, science, and philanthropy in a unique and profound way,” shares Lynn Rasys, Executive Director, Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation. “A particularly meaningful part of this project is the opportunity for patients, survivors, and supporters to send their own ‘message in a bottle’—words of encouragement and strength that will be sealed in a time capsule within the sculpture. These messages will become part of the underwater reef, a lasting testament to the resilience of those facing cancer. “Through their participation, donors not only contribute to this symbolic journey but also provide real assistance to patients in need. We are grateful for the vision of Dr. Raul Storey, the artistic brilliance of Antonio Azzato, and the international collaboration that has brought this project to life.”
Raul Storey, MD, Co-Chair of the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, emphasizes the project’s impact, stating, “This project is a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity, and compassion. Cancer patients face immense challenges, but like the ocean, they are constantly evolving, adapting, and finding new ways to thrive. The Menina of the Reef symbolizes this journey, and I hope it serves as a reminder that, even in the depths, beauty and strength can flourish.”
Deployment of the 2025 UMA sculptures, which include Concretion by William Braithwaite (United Kingdom), Seahorse by Jessica Bradsher (Greenville, NC), The Neptunian Oak by Nathan Hoffman (Highlandville, MO), Happy Hour by Sarah Wilkinson (United Kingdom), and Hometown by Mandy Yourk (Panama City, FL), and The Menina of the Reef: An Infinite Message by Antonio Azzato (Spain) is slated for Summer 2025.
Select sculptures will be on display at the Dine + Dive UMA fundraiser, which will take place on Wednesday, April 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets for the event will be available for purchase at CulturalArtsAlliance.com beginning March 3. The artwork will also be on display during the 37th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival, which will take place on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both events will take place at Grand Boulevard Town Center.
2025 UMA Sponsors include Visit South Walton, the National Endowment for the Arts, Walter Marine / The Reefmaker, the St. Joe Community Foundation, the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, Beachy Blooms 30A, The Ellis Family, and Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa.
Project and sculpture sponsorships are still available. Please contact Gabby Callaway at gabby@culturalartsalliance.com for details. For more information on the timeline and events surrounding the installation, visit UMAFL.org.
Artist Antonio Azzato
ART IN PUBLIC SPACES - PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Look At Us Now!
by Wes Hinds
Sponsored by Morning Star Foundation
The trustees of the Morning Star Foundation are pleased to support the latest Art Installation on 30A, the mural Look At Us Now! in the pedestrian tunnel at US Highway 98 at Inlet Beach. The Fuller E. Callaway Family of Foundations of which the Morning Star Foundation is a member, have a long and storied history of supporting the Arts in Georgia and continue the giving legacy along 30A on the Florida Gulf. The support of the Underpass is the most recent gift to the 30A area from the Foundation. Last year we supported the UMA by sponsoring One Tree and were an “Always on Sponsor” for the CAA in 2022-2023. We look forward to our continued involvement in the community in the years ahead.
All of the trustees of MSF spent their childhood playing among the dunes and the beach at Seaside. As one of the many families that “found” Seaside in the mid ‘80s, we spent as much time as possible there and eventually built the storied “Frumious Bandersnatch’ in the early ‘90s. One of our trustees served on the Seaside Institute and members of the family have owned properties in Watercolor as well as Rosemary Beach over the years. 30A holds a special place in all of our hearts and all are pleased that the giving legacy continues with this latest gift to the 30A community.
- Mark Callaway Morning Star Foundation President
Gabby and Mark Callaway
WHAT’S YOUR
ART STORY?
At the CAA we believe that everyone is inherently creative. We asked Michael Booini to share his introduction to the Arts.
One of my most vivid memories from primary school in England is art-related. I remember the day a teacher deemed my drawing of a bird good enough to leave class and show the headmistress. As a fiveyear-old, nothing felt more rewarding than being allowed to leave the classroom while everyone else stayed behind, working.
Looking back, my career has increasingly gravitated toward art and creativity.
I earned a BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering, but the classes that excited me most were those where I
could design icons, graphics, websites, and multimedia. Yet, two decades later, I have never actually worked in that profession. Instead, my career changed from marketing—designing and optimizing websites—to graphic design, and now exclusively to photography and video.
Now, as a father, watching my two young sons bring home their artwork, proudly displaying it on our walls, and seeing their reactions just barely falls short of pure magic.
It’s taken me four decades to realize it, but creating something beautiful and creative with commercial value is my happy place. I’m incredibly grateful to the CAA for the wonderful work they do in our community and for trusting my creative vision to help tell their story.
Michael Booini
Boo Media | Photographer & Videographer
WHAT’S YOUR ART STORY?
At the CAA we believe that everyone is inherently creative. We asked CAA Vice President Marketing & Strategy, Melissa Wheeler to share her introduction to the Arts.
My connection to the Arts was destined from the very beginning. The doctor who delivered me was so convinced I’d be a boy that my parents never considered otherwise. Well, I surprised them! To announce my arrival, he carried me down the hall at 4 a.m., loudly singing Hello, Dolly!—a production my mom and dad had both starred in the year before.
With parents dedicated to both educational and professional theatre, it was only natural that my siblings and I were immersed in the Arts from a young age. My stage debut came at just five years old as a fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and I continued performing through college. Dance was another passion—I started at the tender age of three, moving through ballet, tap, jazz, and even pointe (though briefly!). Music was and remains a household staple, and piano was my instrument of choice. I also explored the visual arts through drawing and painting classes and continue to find joy in capturing nature’s beauty, especially sunsets, through photography.
The Arts have always been more than entertainment to me—they inspire, educate, evoke emotion, and foster skills like empathy, teamwork, and organization. I’ve seen firsthand their profound impact, and I truly believe they are an essential part of our daily lives.
Today in my role at the Cultural Arts Alliance, I’m honored to play a small role in Walton County’s Art Story by sharing and amplifying the journey of our creative community. It’s a privilege to celebrate the artists, performers, and visionaries who bring color, culture, and connection to our corner of the world.
Melissa Wheeler
GERARD FRANK
2025 FEATURED ARTIST
GERARD FRANK 2025 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 artworks—Clarence and Alabama, Great Minds, and 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.
GERARD FRANK - 2025 FEATURED ARTSQUEST ARTIST
FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
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.
Learn more and view Gerard’s artwork at Gerardfrank.art
WHAT DOES IT MEANS TO YOU TO BE THE FEATURED ARTIST AT ARTQUEST 2025?
“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.”
Produced by the CAA and presented by Grand Boulevard with additional support from Visit South Walton, this beloved festival showcases over 125 national and regional artists offering a diverse selection of original works for viewing and purchase.
As a juried fine arts show, ArtsQuest features artists across multiple categories, including Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media, Oils & Acrylics, Original Digital Art, Photography, Sculpture, Wood, and Works on Paper (Watercolor, Printmaking, Pastels, Pencils, Ink).
Beyond the art, festivalgoers can enjoy live art demonstrations, a CAA member exhibition, a Walton County student exhibit, a special showcase from the CAA’s Prison Art program, an interactive public art installation, a Silent Auction, and continuous live music and entertainment. Young creatives will love “ImagiNation: where kids rule”, a hands-on experience designed just for them.
Donnie Sundal
THE VILLAGE OF BAYTOWNE WHARF
ImagiNation Where Kids Rule!
At ArtsQuest, kids can let their creative minds run wild in ImagiNation, the place where kids rule! Kids of all ages and experience levels can participate in lots of artistic activities to inspire and engage your emerging artists all weekend long!
GET READY TO CELEBRATE CREATIVITY
Art Month Walton is an initiative of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County with the purpose to bring communities, organizations and businesses together to present quality arts and entertainment to the community. Spanning the month of May, Art Month will feature visual, performing, and literary arts programming in diverse formats and in various venues throughout Walton County.
Digital Graffiti Photo Courtesy of Kurt Lischka
SUPPORTING WALTON COUNTY’S
CREATIVE COMMUNITY
The CAA provides funding and grants, organizes art workshops and classes, and provides exposure to the Arts to local schoolchildren. Through the success of its events, the CAA funds arts education initiatives through its Art for All program, providing grants and scholarships that impact thousands of Pre-K to 12th grade students annually.
ART FOR ALL FUNDING
Funding is available for artists, arts organizations, teachers, and students through the CAA’s Art For All Program. Applying is easy, and awards are distributed throughout the year. CAA has granted half a million dollars back out into the community over 30 years!
GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 15, 2025.
WORKSHOPS
The CAA offers over 250 affordable art classes each year for artists of all ages and skill levels. From after-school and summer programs for kids to Oil, Acrylic, Pottery, Fiber and Watercolor classes for adults, the CAA has a class for everyone.
CREATIVE KIDS CAMP
CAA instructors teach the campers how to work with a variety of mediums and use different techniques so each student goes home with a diverse portfolio of work. Daily and full week registration options are available.
Learn more at CulturalArtsAlliance.com/artist-resources
WHAT’S YOUR ART STORY?
At the CAA we believe that everyone is inherently creative. We asked CAA Director of Programs & Creative Placemaking, Courtney Malone to share her introduction to the Arts.
My artistic journey began at a young age, fueled by a vivid imagination and a constant desire to color on anything I could get my hands on. I remember writing certain letters of my name backwards in kindergarten, not understanding why it mattered that everyone wrote their letters the same way.
I am fortunate that my parents and teachers encouraged my creativity and allowed me to make messes.
Growing up in Louisiana, the Arts were central to our culture and education. I was inspired by artists like George Rodrigue, Clementine Hunter, and Ida Kohlmeyer. Mrs. Deb Barnes, one of my favorite art teachers, was the first to tell me I was a talented artist, giving me the confidence to believe in myself. She encouraged all of her students to explore different mediums and express ourselves freely.
Recently, I’ve been revisiting the carefree joy of experimenting with different mediums, having fun without worrying about the end result.
As CAA Director of Programs & Creative Placemaking, I’m proud to contribute to our mission of fostering creativity in Walton County where everyone can experience the transformative power of the Arts.
My journey is a testament to how the Arts can shape a child’s life and prove that creativity is not only valuable – it’s a viable career path.
Courtney Malone
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB ARTS EDUCATION
As instructor for our Boys & Girls Club Art Club, my goal is to inspire students through the power of the Arts and help them tap into their inner creativity. Our projects aren’t about producing perfect, polished pieces but rather serve as creative studies that contribute to a meaningful experience.
Each of our projects offer an opportunity for involvement within our community by collaborating with CAA Events. Through these collaborations, students get to experience the pride and fulfillment that comes with creating something for public display—offering them a glimpse into what it feels like to be a “real artist.” There’s nothing quite like seeing a student’s face light up when they show their parents their artwork at an event, win a prize in one of our contests, or ask a thoughtful question to a visiting professional artist. These moments make our Art Club feel truly special.
As a practicing artist myself, I often reflect on similar experiences from my childhood—like winning my first art award and other recognitions that set the precedent for what would become my future career. As public leaders in inspiring our future generations, The Boys & Girls Club of America provides the perfect partnership for fostering creativity in a safe, supportive, and enriching environment, ensuring that future generations have access to the mentorship and encouragement they need to thrive.
- Elise Gilbert, Art Club Instructor
Michaiah and Deborah Smoots (Aloha Borah Media) leading a Songwriting Workshop with Boys & Girls Club Art Club members
Jontavious Willis performs during the 16th Annual 30A Songwriters Fesitval in front of a custom backdrop painted by Boys & Girls Club Art Club
The Boys & Girls Club Art Club painted a custom backdrop “A Starry Night on 30A” that appeared at Raw & Juicy during the 16th Annual Songwriters Festival in January 2025
Boys & Girls Club Art Club Instructor, Elise Gilbert, presents art supplies prizes to the winners of the CAA Christmas Card Contest
Saturday, May 17 | 7:30 PM
Destin-FWB Convention Center
TICKETS: FROM $40 PER PERSON
Prepare to be captivated by the groundbreaking fusion of Tchaikovsky and Drake in a thrilling performance that blends classical and contemporary hip-hop. Conceived by Steven Hackman, this unique concert reimagines symphonic music with 22 of Drake's hits, creating an unforgettable musical experience.
If you listened with your eyes closed, you could have been forgiven for thinking you were in a jailhouse not Seaside’s Rep Theatre, in the inaugural BEYOND BARS Prison Art Program Showcase at the 30A Songwriters Festival on Sunday, January 19.
BEYOND BARS
A Songwriting Prison Art Program at Walton Correctional Institution
BY ANNA BALFOUR
BEYOND BARS:
A Songwriting Prison Art Program at Walton Correctional Institution
“There’s a hole in my heart, there’s a hole in my arm, and I use to try and fill it with a needle in a car…”
These words were written by ‘Rockstar’ during the CAA songwriting program in Walton County Correctional Institution, DeFuniak Springs. David and Anna Borné taught the recent course, using tools developed by singer songwriter, Caitlin Cannon, to help men like Rockstar find the deeper truth of their stories.
The five singer songwriters on stage sang songs they’d written during their prison residency. Wyatt Espalin, prompted by inmate stories, sang about his absent father. Jessica Sharman spoke of her surprise at the atmosphere in the prison classroom: “It wasn’t what I expected; I had this realization that wonder can’t be imprisoned ..and their capacity to keep being curious and learning was infinite.”
“The brokenness I tucked away, I live to fight another day, despite being ‘molested’ on that day. So when you lie awake at night, contemplating suicide, know life’s too short to end that way. “
One inmate, Chevy, wrote to the songwriters:
“.. it has taken me 3 incarcerations, a total of 23 years …to finally heal from scars that I have experienced as a 9 year old onwards…you rescued a tormented man all of his life from traumas ..and I realized my life would never be the same now..”
I’m betting there wasn’t a dry eye in the Rep - but there was laughter too, as Caitlin closed the evening performing the rap song that the prisoners challenged her to write, delight in their faces when she performed it to them!
A prisoner’s words closed out an unforgettable evening:
“...you never had to enter a threshold of slamming gates, yet you bravely enter our world, passing through hell’s gates, when you didn’t have to… thank you.”
(Left to Right) David and Anna Grace Borné, Wyatt Espalin, Jessica Sharman, and Caitlin Cannon answer questions from Prison Art Program Visual Art Instructor, Anna Balfour, during the inaugural 30A Songwriters Festival Beyond Bars Showcase.
In January 2025 I had the opportunity to co-facilitate Beyond Bars with 20 inmates. While I was there to “teach” them, I learned much more from them for sure. Being a part of this class is truly sacred work. A Present and Personal deep dive into the heart of humanity, theirs and ours. Very hard work was done, these men are heroes and saints. That circle was full of reverence and love. I learned to not underestimate the impact we can have on others, and the impact of others on us.
These men taught me what it looks like to embrace fear as tools for healing. Faith in action holds a whole new meaning. The songs that came out of these men are beautiful treasures. What a joy to be the witness.
-Anna Grace Borné
“Now a month out from our January Beyond Bars residency, the thing I keep going back to when I reflect on it is how wonderful and willing these inmates that we work with are. They each meet us in such gratitude as they go deeper into their prospective healing journey and they are eager to add songwriting to the toolkit. The program asks a lot of them, like to write 20 pages stream of consciousness the first night, then chisel it into a song then perform the song. Then imagine an inmate on stage performing the song he wrote about a trauma that he had never spoken about before and get a standing ovation from 200 inmates. I am so grateful for this experience.”
-David Borné
Wyatt Espalin and Jessica Sharman
Caitlin Cannon performing her song Waiting
David and Anna Grace Borné
ThursdAy, jUne 12 + 26
ThursdAy, jUly 17
ThursdAy, AuguSt 7
That’s a Wrap!
More than 6000 music lovers come together over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend in January to attend the 30A Songwriters Festival. This unique event, co-produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and Russell Carter Artist Management, is a four-day music extravaganza featuring over 125 artists performing original songs in various genres ranging from country to Americana and folk as well as blues and soul in over 30 dedicated listening rooms along South Walton’s scenic Highway 30A and beyond.
The Festival brings together nearly every South Walton community and many businesses to showcase our home as a destination not only for its beautiful beaches but also for its creative excellence, which is the purpose of the Cultural Arts Alliance. The festival’s net proceeds benefit the CAA allowing us to continue to be a champion for the Arts in Walton County.
Photo credit: Nathan Zucker
February 8-9, 2025
The CAA’s annual Valentine Tour of Homes is known for showcasing stunning interiors, architecturally acclaimed homes and picturesque settings bringing inspiration to tour goers’ winter weekend at the beach. Guests take a self-guided tour of a variety of spaces throughout South Walton. The 2025 event featured private homes located in Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seaside® and Santa Rosa Beach.
Event proceeds benefit the CAA’s Art For All Program, which provides support to Walton County schools, teachers, students, artists and arts organizations to further arts education in the community.
Photo credit: Lynn Crow Photography
Foster Gallery Spring Rotation Artists Announced
The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is proud to announce The Foster Gallery’s Spring rotation of artists featured in a partner exhibition at the Coastal Branch Library located at 437 Greenway Trail in Santa Rosa Beach.
Original work by twelve regional artists will be featured in the exhibit which runs through April 30, 2025. The selected featured artists are Elena Filshtinska, Harriet Nix, Janis Mars Wunderlich, Joseph Cantin, Katherine Duda, Kim Clark, Kim Salesses, Linda Kaye Moriarity, Mary McCollum, Masha Edmond, Sierra Swan, and Susan Julio.
For library hours, please visit WaltonLibraries.com. For more information, including class schedule, ceramics services and space rental of the Bayou Arts Center for private events, call 850.622.5970 or visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com.
All exhibited works are for sale, and online for viewing and purchase at CulturalArtsAlliance.com/foster-gallery.
Woman in the Woods by Janis Mars Wunderlich Acrylic | 10” x 11”
Bloom by Sierra Swan Mixed Media | 36” x 36”
Peaceful Pond by Elena Filshtinska Oil | 31” x 41”
Blue Barn by Mary McCollum Acrylic | 13.5” x 13.5”
Magical Moth by Kim Clark Acrylic/Oil | 24” x 24”
Waves of Light by Masha Edmond Oil | 24” x 24”
Do your part to support safety and beautification initiatives in Walton County. 30A/Scenic Walton license plate registration fees will go to Scenic Walton to help keep Walton Safe & Beautiful.
