Orange Beach Festival of Art Recognized By USA Today

News Staff • February 15, 2025

You can vote and help festival win national honors

Gulf Shores art festival news

The Orange Beach Festival of Art has been named one of the top 20 art festivals in the country by USA Today. Now, the public can help it claim the top spot by voting online until Monday, February 17th.


For more than 50 years, the festival has showcased fine arts on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Each year, over 100 artists, including painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelry makers, and glassblowers, are selected through a jury process. The event, held annually on the second weekend of March, draws more than 20,000 visitors from across the country.


Festival Director Desiree Hodge emphasized the event’s commitment to high-quality art. “Our focus is to find and showcase the best fine artists in America,” she said. “Whether you're a buyer or an onlooker, the show is filled with quality, fun, and affordable original art.”


Beyond visual art, the festival offers live music from world-renowned performers, literary readings, and food trucks. Visitors can also watch artists demonstrate pottery making and glassblowing. Entertainers such as jugglers and fire twirlers add to the lively atmosphere.


A family-friendly event, the festival includes Kids Art Alley, an interactive space designed for children to explore fine arts. The venue, located on scenic Wolf Bay, is also a sought-after wedding destination, hosting more than 40 ceremonies annually. The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, which oversees the festival, has won multiple "Best of Baldwin" and "Best of 'Bama" awards for its gallery and event venue.


Click Below To Vote:

Festival of arts vote
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