30A has a naturally beautiful landscape, so it’s no wonder that artists are often inspired to create beautiful art here. Anyone familiar with South Walton knows the community to be full of vibrant creatives and innovative artist colonies. You can find art all over the county, even when you’re not looking for it.
Street Murals
Sometimes you’ll see the art in 30A just by driving or walking through. You can find colorful street murals along the side of the road in Grayton Beach. In the town of Seaside, you’ll see a massive purple mural with a portrait of Vincent Scully, an art and architecture educator whose career spanned 70 years. Sometimes the artists will sign their mural with their website address so you can follow the rest of their artwork.
Art Galleries and Festivals
Summer is the season for art festivals on 30A and surrounding areas. You can attend the ArtQuest Fine Arts and Crafts Festival in Sandestin every May and take a look at original artwork not just from local artists but artists across the country. There’s also live music, student exhibitions, and a kid’s section. West Indies Market is held throughout the summer, with not just art but handmade soap, clothes, and furniture. If an artist or artisan made it, you can find it here. Right at the end of summer, in September, you can check out the Baytowne Art Walk, hosted at night and full of live music and art booths.
But if you missed out on any of the festivals, art galleries are open all year long. You can find a partial list of galleries to visit at the Artists of 30A website. There’s also Modus Photography, which offers professional photography services as well as a photography gallery in Grayton Beach. The owner, Chandler Williams, also has his own photography gallery in Santa Rosa Beach.
Bike Tour
Want to see the art of South Walton in a different way? Check out Eventure Tour Co.’s 30A Art Tour. On this tour, you’ll see galleries, murals, and even the artists themselves at work. This tour allows you not to just take in the finished product but to understand the inspirations and the process that brought about the artwork. Eventure Tour Co. works with some of the best artists in the area to curate a tour that can’t be missed.
Art Classes
Once you see the art that 30A has to offer, as well as the artful natural scenery, you may feel inspired to create art yourself. Here you can learn to paint, spin pottery, create shard art, and find the right photography shot. There’s even a class that teaches you how to sculpt sandcastles, an art in itself if you do it correctly.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast, an artist yourself, or someone with a little free time who has yet to be convinced about art, explore the art scene of South Walton. You’ll find something that speaks to your style, and may even find something that changes your mind while you’re at it.
