ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival Announces 2014 Artists
This 26th Annual Festival is a Mother’s Day Weekend Tradition in South Walton
May 9-11, 2014
Every Mother’s Day weekend for the past 26 years, art is celebrated in South Walton with ArtsQuest, a fine arts festival produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA). This special tradition scheduled for May 9-11 in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, brings mothers and daughters, girlfriend groups and families alike to experience nearly 200 national and local artists, live music and kids’ activities. Among the 118-juried artists include Mary Hong - Visit South Walton’s 2013 Artist of the Year, Bill Turner - “Best of Show” at Fairhope Arts Festival, Chandler Williams - Visit South Walton’s 2014 Photographer of the Year and Francisco Adaro - ArtsQuest 2014 Featured Artist.
See all artists at ArtsQuest website. Gallery Nights, Bacardi Beach Bash and More: This year during the festival week, local galleries will participate in Gallery Nights Monday-Thursday, offering special parties, showings and events in the spirit of ArtsQuest. This tour of special gallery events is open to the public. Friday’s festivities get a boost this year with a new Bacardi Beach Bash on the Grand Park Lawn in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin from 8-11pm. This after-hours party is complimentary and open to the public. Guests will enjoy a cash bar sponsored by Wine World featuring signature Bacardi rum beach cocktails, hors’ d oeuvres and live music from Cadillac Willy. The addition of gourmet food trucks along the Gourmet Galley will further spice up this year’s festival. Food Truck offerings include gourmet cupcakes from Sweet Henrietta’s, creative sandwiches from Foodie Dietrich, healthy organic fare from Long Leaf and global comfort food with specialty burgers from Tucker Dukes. As always, guests will enjoy continuous live music throughout the festival weekend. Special weekend lodging packages through Courtyard Sandestin at Grand Boulevard and Residence Inn Sandestin at Grand Boulevard can be found at Artsquestflorida.com. ArtsQuest is proudly presented by Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and Visit South Walton. Event sponsors to date include Bacardi, Wine World, UPS at Grand Boulevard, Rogers Keifer, The Market Shops at Sandestin, SoWal.com and 30A.com.
ArtsQuest began as a small community gathering in Grayton Beach in 1989 and now features nearly 200 exhibiting national, regional and local artists competing for $10,000 in cash awards, art workshops, live art demonstrations, music, food, wine, ImagiNation (where kids rule) and more.
ArtsQuest 2014 Featured Artist - Juan Francisco Adaro
Featured Artist Juan Francisco Adaro is a contemporary painter born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and currently living in South Walton. Having painted for the last 20 years, Adaro started as a street and mural artist in his early twenties. Much of what Adaro learned has come from his interaction and observation of great art. Today Adaro is known for his large abstract and life size portraits. Using recycled materials and natural textures, he recreates each technique to suit his needs. From traditional oil paintings to live performances, Adaro's paintings and works on paper merge the worlds of art and science, depicting natural forms and biological structures in vivid color and imaginative detail. Adaro was also ArtsQuest’s 2012 “Best in Show” Winner and ArtsQuest’s 2013 “Award of Excellence” Winner.
Thanks to the continued support from businesses like yours, ArtsQuest is a highly anticipated event in Walton County and a nationally renowned fine arts show attracting thousands of people annually to the Beaches of South Walton. The ArtsQuest flag sponsorship is an important source of funding for ArtsQuest, and we look forward to having your support this year. For a tax-deductible $100 contribution, the CAA will place a 4’ x 5’, double sided flag bearing the newArtsQuest logo in front of your business.
The flags will fly all around our community from April 26th through May 12[SUP]th[/SUP].
ArtsQuest weekend will be full of art, music and fun for everyone! We hope you will enthusiastically support the Cultural Arts Alliance and celebrate the long weekend of festivities by flying the ArtsQuest flag!
Email, fax or mail your application with payment to the CAA by April 23rd! Download the application HERE!
Do you have a love for the arts and a generous spirit? If so, the CAA would like to enlist you as a volunteer for ArtsQuest Fine Arts & Music Festival in Grand Boulevard, FL. The vitality of ArtsQuest depends on the kindness and generosity of the community we serve.
Volunteers are needed Thursday, May 8th - Sunday, May 11th for all positions such as load in, merchandise tent, artist hospitality, wine booths, and ticket sales. Please let us know if you have a preference and we will be happy to try and accommodate.
Consider encouraging friends and family members to join you to share in the fun. This will be a rewarding experience, meeting people who share your love for the arts and community.
There are volunteer opportunities for everyone and ArtsQuest Fine Arts & Music Festival is a great way to contribute your time and talents.
Signing up is easy, just click HERE NOW or call our office at 850-622-5970 and ask to speak to Renee or Lee.
We're ready to paint the town at ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival this week May 9-11. The 26th annual art festival in South Walton is featuring over 150 artists, live music, Bacardi Beach Bar, gourmet food trucks and kids' entertainment.
May 9-11 | Grand Boulevard at Sandestin
ArtsQuest Gallery Nights ArtsQuest kicks off early this year with ArtsQuest Gallery Nights! This Wednesday and Thursday, South Walton galleries will open their doors in the spirit of ArtsQuest with special offerings and exhibits (including food and adult beverages)! Here's the schedule. There is plenty of time to make it to each gallery each night!
Wednesday MAY 7 | 5:00pm until
A. Wickey Gallery
Seacrest Beach
Geana's Art Gallery
36150 Emerald Coast Pkwy (Destin)
Fine Arts Festival opens at Grand Boulevard 12pm - 8pm. $5 suggested donation.
ArtsQuest After Hours Beach Bash 8-11pm Friday’s festivities get a boost this year with a new Bacardi Beach Bash on the Grand Park Lawn. This after-hours party is complimentary and open to the public. Guests will enjoy a cash bar sponsored by Wine World featuring signature Bacardi rum beach cocktails and live music from Cadillac Willy. Food trucks will be open adjacent to the Beach Bash, along with all of Grand Boulevard's restaurants. Saturday MAY 10 Fine Arts Festival continues at Grand Boulevard 10pm - 8pm. $5 suggested donation.
Sunday MAY 11 Fine Arts Festival continues at Grand Boulevard 10am - 6pm. $5 suggested donation.
ArtsQuest Live Music and Entertainment Schedule all weekend long on three stages around Grand Boulevard. The Steenos, Max McCann, New Orleans Ramblers, Cadillac Willy, Chris Alvarado, Blue Ribbon Healers, The Courtyard Saints, Donnie Sundal and many more artists! See the lineup!
ArtsQuest 2014 Featured Artist - Juan Francisco Adaro
ArtsQuest 2014 will feature the work of over 150 artists from South Walton as well as artists from all over the Southeast.
Look for some of SoWal's own artists this year including Francisco Adaro, Cody Copeland, Allison Craft, Mary Hong, Justin Lyons, Chandler Williams, Allison Wickey...
