Art Month Walton County returns this month with a dynamic, month-long celebration of creativity, culture and community. Presented by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County with support from Visit South Walton, the initiative features more than 40 arts experiences spanning visual, literary and performing arts across the region.
Signature events include the 38th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival, Digital Graffiti, the Longleaf Writers Conference and Mystic Pizza at Emerald Coast Theatre Company, alongside performances by Sinfonia Gulf Coast, storytelling events, art walks, gallery shows and more.
At its April 14 meeting, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed May as Art Month Walton County, recognizing the arts as a vital driver of economic development, tourism, education and quality of life.
Led by the Cultural Arts Alliance, the initiative brings together artists, organizations and businesses to showcase the depth and diversity of Walton County’s creative landscape. “This proclamation is more than a designation—it’s a reflection of how deeply the arts are woven into the fabric of our community,” said Jennifer Steele, president and CEO of the Cultural Arts Alliance. “Art Month Walton County is an open invitation to experience the creativity that thrives here year-round.”
The celebration serves as both an invitation and a call to action—encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore, participate in and support the arts while fostering connection and inspiration throughout the community.
Below are additional upcoming Art Month events:
Mystic Pizza, presented by Emerald Coast Theatre Company, runs through May 17. Based on the beloved 1988 film, the musical follows three young women navigating life, love and family in a small-town pizza shop. Tickets and showtimes are available at EmeraldCoastTheatre.org.
Curate 30A hosts a live artist show featuring Plaid Columns May 7–9, showcasing nostalgic mixed-media works inspired by Americana and vintage iconography.
Emerald Coast Storytellers presents an Open Mic Night May 7 at Distillery 98. Doors open at 5 p.m., with stories beginning at 6 p.m.
The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Concerts in the Village series continues May 7, 14, 21 and 28, offering family-friendly live music each Thursday evening. Visit MKAF.org for details.
Art Walks take place throughout the month, including Ruskin Place Artist Colony on May 8, the Artist Warehouses on County Road 393 on May 21 and the Seaside Art Walk on May 27.
The 15th Annual Longleaf Writers Conference returns to Grayton Beach May 9–16, featuring acclaimed authors Jennifer Haigh and Beth Ann Fennelly, along with literary agents and special events. Registration is available at LongleafWritersConference.com.
The Petite Picasso Art Showcase takes place May 13 from 6–8 p.m. at Art Basha Gallery, featuring live painting by young artists and collaborative works available for auction.
Justin Gaffrey Gallery hosts “Neither Here Nor There” May 14 from 5–8 p.m., an immersive evening marking a new creative direction inspired by the artist’s Liminal collection. Details at JustinGaffrey.com.
Digital Graffiti returns to Alys Beach May 15–16, transforming the town’s iconic white architecture into a canvas for projection art by international creatives. Tickets at DigitalGraffiti.com.
Jaws in Concert takes place May 15, as Sinfonia Gulf Coast performs John Williams’ iconic score live alongside the film.
Emerald Coast Storytellers hosts a Writers Meetup May 21 at Distillery 98, offering a collaborative space for writers of all levels beginning at 6 p.m.
Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with Sinfonia Salutes, a free outdoor concert and drone show May 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Alys Beach.
Through performances, exhibitions and interactive experiences, Art Month Walton County highlights the power of the arts to connect people, inspire creativity and enrich the community—inviting all to be part of the celebration.
