Gulf Shores
Sea Oat Studio
Nationally recognized master potters from Gulf Shores. Specializing in wood fire thrown ceramics. 1009 East Canal Road – Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 968-6744 Email: seaoat@gulftel.com
Orange Beach
The Orange Beach Arts Center (OBAC) showcases and sells works of art for more than 120 local artists. Free to the public, this collection is housed in the historic Orange Beach Hotel on the shores of Wolf Bay, and guests will see the works of watercolorists, potters, painters, sculptors, glass and textile artists. In 2009, the center became the first and only facility in the state of Alabama to open a public access glass blowing studio. Thanks to a generous donation from Joe Thompson of Bear Creek Glass, The Hot Shop was created. The OBAC offers a variety of classes such as a summer camp for children, a teen pottery class and glassblowing, weaving, painting, pottery and many other classes for adults. Special functions of the center include a dinner concert series and annual juried art festival, which is the first of the season. For more information, visit www.orangebeachartcenter.com.
Orange Beach also showcases Beach CITE (Community Interactive Teaching Experience), which is located in the SanRoc Cay Marina and Shopping Center. In 2009, the Camille Schroeder Charitable Foundation provided the initial donation to begin the organization, which became a non-profit shortly thereafter. The group offers classes in a variety of arts, such as dancing, music, painting, sculpture, cooking and creative writing. Individual lessons and group instruction are available. For more information, visitwww.beachcitestudios.org.
In addition to these facilities listed above, the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area offers a slew of private galleries and shops showcasing a large range of local, regional and national artists from every medium. The area is also home to Guy Harvey’s first art gallery in the United States. To see all that this family beach destination offers, click here.
Finally, individuals looking for additional art experiences can make a day trip to the Eastern Shore Art Center in Fairhope, Ala, or to the American Sport Art Museum and Archives in Daphne, Ala.
Pensacola
Pensacola prides itself on being multi-cultural with an abundance and quality of culture, arts, museums, sports, and concerts. There’s a symphony, opera, theater, ballet, not to mention art and historic museums.
“Gallery Night” is held 3 times a year on a Friday from 5-9pm. This event is free, offering a wonderful way to enjoy a night on the town with the arts. The downtown area galleries, businesses and museums host everything from art exhibitions and live demonstrations to music events and other live cultural happenings.
Pensacola also hosts two annual art festivals. The “Greater Gulf Coast Arts Festival” is held the first full weekend of November. It is held in the beautiful Seville Square in the heart of the historic district. This festival boasts over 200 fine art and fine craft exhibitors, performing artists and heritage artists. The “Outside Art Fair” is held at the Seville harbor, this two day event features over 100 exhibitors and local bands.
PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART
Formerly the old city jail, visitors will find a permanent collection of 19th, 20th and 21st century works and famous traveling exhibits, displayed throughout the building and even inside the old jail cells. Admission is free on Tuesdays. On the first and second Saturday of each month, children’s workshops are available.
SAENGER THEATRE
In 2009, the Saenger Theatre completed a multi-million dollar renovation to transform the Spanish Baroque-style landmark to its original grandeur. The Palafox Place centerpiece is only one of four Saenger Theatres still operating in the South. Built in 1925, it is home to the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Pensacola,
Belmont Arts Center is a multi-disciplinary working arts center, which offers workshops in glass blowing, pottery, jewelry making and even belly dancing. Located in the up-and-coming Belmont-Devilliers community, the center contributes to Pensacola’s arts scene by exposing the work of local, regional, national and international artists to the Greater Pensacola community.
Quayside Art Gallery has been established and maintained by Pensacola Artists, Inc., the largest cooperative organization in the Southeast with more than 200 artists and associate members.