Join us for a celebration of the Arts in Walton County during the entire month of May where you’ll discover creativity around every corner. Art Month, an initiative of the Cultural Arts Alliance, offers a collaboration of visual, performing and literary arts events presented in diverse formats and various venues throughout South Walton. We are counting down the days and excited to give you a glimpse of the official calendar of events below!
May 2-18: Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Seaside Repertory Theatre
216 Quincy Circle, Seaside
A fast-paced and absolutely hilarious ride through 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in only 97 minutes! Three madcap men in tights using a trunk full of props, wigs, and outrageous costumes are on a mission: to bring you the entirety of the works of William Shakespeare in one fell swoop. Join Kevin Boyle, Brook Stetler and Kyle Walter as they weave their wicked way through the works of the greatest English playwright in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter.
Tickets: $30/$24 at LoveTheRep.com
May 9: “Under the Sea” UMA Fundraiser and Official Art Month Kick-off Party
Grand Park, 600 Grand Boulevard;
Miramar Beach
Join us on Thursday, May 9 from 6 – 10 PM in Grand Park at Grand Boulevard Town Center for a night of music, food, spirits, dancing and fun with Yacht Rock Schooner to benefit the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA). Get an exclusive opportunity to meet the 2019 UMA artists and see their sculptures before they are installed into the UMA in the Gulf of Mexico.
The UMA is a presentation of the Cultural Arts Alliance’s ‘Art in Public Spaces’ program and augments South Walton Artificial Reef Association’s mission of creating marine habitat and expanding 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. Many of the 12 sculpture designs selected by jury for permanent exhibition in the second installation of the UMA will be on display at the fundraiser and throughout the weekend during the ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival before they are transferred to Orange Beach, AL to prepare for their deployment into the Gulf in a one-acre permit patch of seabed off Grayton Beach State Park.
Event tickets: $65 at umafl.org
May 9: 11& 12 ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival
Grand Boulevard Town Center;
Miramar Beach
ArtsQuest Fine Arts & Music Festival takes place in the Town Center of Grand Boulevard at Sandestin each Mother’s Day weekend. Produced by the CAA, ArtsQuest provides an opportunity to view and purchase original art from over 160 artists from around the country while also experiencing live musical entertainment, ImagiNation (where kids rule), student exhibits and great food & beverage options. ArtsQuest is a juried show that includes artists in the categories of Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media, Oils & Acrylics, Original Digital Art, Photography, Sculpture, Wood and Works on Paper (Watercolor, Printmaking, Pastels, Pencils, Ink). ArtsQuest awards $10,000 in cash prizes and is a rain or shine event.
Event hours are Saturday, May 11 | 10 AM – 7 PM and Sunday, May 12 | 10 AM – 5 PM. $5 admission donation
May 11-18: Longleaf Writers Conference
Academic Village & other locations in Seaside
The Longleaf Writers Conference is an annual gathering of creative writers from all over the nation, featuring award-winning writers in poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction who will offer a full week of intensive writing workshops, one day seminars, school outreach programs and social events.
This event occurs every year in May, and offers the opportunity for beginning, intermediate and advanced writers to celebrate writing, to network with other writers, and to hone their craft. There will also be seminars hosted by professional editors and literary agents who will offer one-on-one consultations.
Visit LongleafWritersConference.com for details and the full schedule of events.
May 14-19: Northwest Florida Theatre Festival
560 Grand Boulevard, Upstairs; Miramar Beach
The mission of the Northwest Florida Theatre Festival is to unify the theatre and performing arts groups of Northwest Florida and showcase the talent, work, and productions of numerous organizations and people. The 2019 Festival includes Stand up Comedy, Comedy, an original Musical Drama, Aerial Arts, Burlesque, Spoken Word, Drama and Historical Drama.
Show times will be Wednesday-Friday between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday between 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Festival show ticket prices are set by each producing organization and will range from $15 to $25. All access passes will be available for purchase for $100. The Festival will be staged at Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s performance space located at 560 Grand Boulevard, upstairs, in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin in Miramar Beach, Florida.
#AStageForAll For information on schedules and tickets go toNWFTheatreFestival.com.
May 16: Emerald Coast Magazine’s Art Issue Pop-Up Party
Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina
Four magnificent oceangoing yachts will back into berths at Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina and form the setting for a waterborne 
celebration of the arts, the good life and all things Emerald Coast. Guests will circulate among the vessels supplied by Galati Yacht Sales, sampling offerings from Signature Catering 30A and imbibing spirits from Timbercreek Distillery, Idyll Hounds beer, and wines courtesy of O’Brien Estates.
Artists and writers representing a variety of disciplines and genres ranging from projection art to storytelling will engage guests with their works and their words. Together, they will ensure that each yacht presents a distinctly different experience. They will include Chandler Williams of Modus Photography in Santa Rosa Beach.
The event, planned and sponsored by Rowland Publishing and Emerald Coast Magazine, will also will serve as a coming-out party for the magazine’s annual arts edition. Live music will add to the festivities. Door prizes will include a trip into the Gulf aboard a Galati yacht.
A limited number of tickets are available for purchase at 850tix.com. Event proceeds will be donated to the CAA.
May 17 & 18: Digital Graffiti
Alys Beach
Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is a one-of-a-kind projection art festival where artists use the latest digital technologies to project their original works onto the iconic white walls of Alys Beach. Sometimes referred to as “Photon Bombing,” “Guerilla Projection” or “Urban Projection,” underground artists around the globe have been using the latest design, animation and projection technologies for many years to cast dynamic images onto skyscrapers and other urban structures as a means of artistic expression.
Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is a festival geared towards bringing these artists together in one place to celebrate and showcase their unique talents. Each year, the festival attracts digital artists, filmmakers, musicians, interactive designers, photographers, VJs, producers, celebrities, agency executives and fans of art, technology and architecture. Thousands of dollars in cash prizes are awarded to artists, with digital submissions being received from as far away as Israel, Austria, Canada, Germany, London, India, France, Italy and China. This is a ticketed event. To purchase tickets and view a full event schedule, visit DigitalGraffiti.com.
May 22: Foster Gallery Grand Blvd. Summer Artist Opening Reception
585 Grand Boulevard, Suite N101;
Miramar Beach
The Foster Gallery at Grand Boulevard is the first artist collective led by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. Enjoy beer, wine and appetizers on Wednesday, May 22 from 5-7pm while meeting the newest group of featured artists and purchasing their original works.
May 22: “Life Still” Exhibition Opening With Justin Gaffrey
21 Blue Gulf Drive;
Blue Mountain Beach
Justin Gaffrey presents a new body of work entitled “Life Still.” This event is free and open to the public.
May 23: Rosemary Beach Sculpture Exhibition Artist Panel Discussion
Rosemary Beach Town Hall Courtyard
The Rosemary Beach Sculpture Exhibition (RBSE) marks the second biennial juried art show of contemporary outdoor sculpture on display throughout the town of Rosemary Beach from May 23, 2019 – February 14, 2020. This year’s exhibition includes 16 sculptures from artists across 12 states and Washington, D.C. An Artist Panel Discussion will be held on Thursday, May 23rd at 6:30 p.m. in the Rosemary Beach Town Hall. Beer and wine bar available.
May 24: Rosemary Beach Sculpture Exhibition Artist Panel Discussion
Rosemary Beach Town Hall Courtyard
The Rosemary Beach Sculpture Exhibition (RBSE) marks the second biennial juried art show of contemporary outdoor sculpture on display throughout the town of Rosemary Beach from May 23, 2019 – February 14, 2020. This year’s exhibition includes 16 sculptures from artists across 12 states and Washington, D.C. An Opening Event will take place on Friday, May 24th at 4:00 p.m. in the Rosemary Beach Town Hall Courtyard. A beer and wine bar will be available.
May 24- February 14, 2020: Rosemary Beach sculpture Exhibition
Rosemary Beach
The Rosemary Beach Sculpture Exhibition (RBSE) marks the second biennial juried art show of contemporary outdoor sculpture on display throughout the town of Rosemary Beach from May 23, 2019 – February 14, 2020.
A self-guided smartphone audio tour and printed map will allow visitors to explore the sculpture trail at their own pace to view the sculptures, and to hear descriptions of each one from the artist. The audio tour is offered via the free ‘Otocast’ app available for download. Materials for the contemporary sculptures are as varied as their subject matter. Made of steel, aluminum, bronze, stainless steel, and wire, some address issues such as the environment and freedom, while others explore nature or formal elements like color, perspective and balance, with one towering to 16 feet high. In addition to the juried show, a science-based sculpture created by students from Ohana School will also be on display. Made of debris from our Gulf waters, beach, and surrounding areas, the sculpture will raise awareness of the ever-growing problem of single use plastics and its threat to oceans, marine life and humans alike.
Visitors who tag photos of sculptures with #rosemarybeachsculpture will have a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from Rosemary Beach® Trading Company; and, can also vote for their favorite sculpture in the People’s Choice Award contest. The purpose of the show is to complement the architectural heritage in Rosemary Beach and to contribute to the cultural arts environment in Walton County and surrounding areas.
Learn more, get a preview of the sculptures, and vote online at rosemarybeachsculpture.com.
May 25: Explore Creativity with Justin Gaffrey
21 Blue Gulf Drive;
Blue Mountain Beach
**All Sessions Are Sold Out**
Register for a chance to create an actual piece of textured art with Justin guiding the process. This event is for children 4-14 years of age. All participants must be accompanied by at least one adult. The studio space is limited so only the registered child and chaperone may participate. Each 40 minute session will begin promptly on the hour. Please arrive 5 minutes early to ensure your child gets the complete experience.
All materials provided, just bring your creative spirit! There will be six 45-minute sessions at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. The sessions are free, but registration is required and limited to the first ten children per session.