Get Creative: Do It Yourself Art at the Beach

South Walton may best be known for its 26 miles of sugar-white beaches and pristine natural beauty, but it's also home to creative spaces where visitors and locals can work on their own masterpieces.

Let’s take a look at some of the do-it-yourself art experiences you can enjoy in South Walton.

Bayou Arts Center:

Home to the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, the Bayou Arts Center is the perfect place to channel your inner artist!

Nestled among the longleaf pines on historic Hogtown Bayou, this hidden gem is a peaceful setting for art classes and workshops. Many talented artists - some of whom include former South Walton Artist of the Year winners - lend their talents to help beginners and seasoned artists hone their skills. From pastels and watercolors to cold wax and oils, classes and workshops are designed for both children and adults, so there's truly something for everyone.

The Bayou Arts Center is located at 105 Hogtown Bayou Lane in Santa Rosa Beach.

CHROMA:

At CHROMA (the studio/gallery of 2018 Visit South Walton Artist of the Year Kathleen Broaderick), creatives can come together for a hands-on painting experience like no other. As a former art teacher, Broaderick uses her personal art studio as a classroom area where she can share her love of teaching and painting in one place.

If you’ve never picked up a brush before, don’t fret. Broaderick leads attendees step-by-step through the creative process, providing plenty of tips and tricks along the way. Here, experience is not mandatory, but laughter and a good time are part of the core curriculum.

CHROMA is located at 3925 West County Highway 30A, Unit E in Santa Rosa Beach.

Rock, Paper, Scissors 30A:

Want to immerse your kids in an art experience in South Walton? Be sure to stop by Rock, Paper, Scissors 30A in Grayton Beach. Locals Chandler and Jessica Williams, who own and operate Modus Photography, are the creative forces behind this new art adventure.

From birthday parties and ladies’ night gatherings to hands-on classes, this festive studio aims to channel creativity no matter your age. Parents can sit back and relax as their little ones are guided through fun, laid-back interactive classes where the focus is on artistic freedom, not technique.

Rock, Paper, Scissors 30A is located at 37 Logan Lane, Ste. 8 in Grayton Beach.

Sandcastles:

We already know South Walton’s sugar-white sand is a natural masterpiece, but when you take that sand and craft it into a one-of-a-kind sandcastle, you’ve really stepped it up. From simple castles to elaborate kingdoms, let our sand artists guide your creativity.

There’s something purely nostalgic about building a sandcastle. And whether you’re 3 years old or 63, the folks at Beach Sand Sculptures or Sand Odyssey are more than happy to help bring your creativity to life with a little help from the pros. These sandcastle lessons will give you the building basics for a day of fun. You’ll bring your beach towels, snacks and sunscreen, and the pros will provide the instruction and sand-crafting tools, and mother nature will provide the building materials.

Shard Shop:

The Shard Shop team offers hands-on art experiences from its storefront in Grayton Beach.

Shard art is a mosaic-like technique of applying glass to a painted canvas to depict everything from sea life to panoramic beach vistas. Classes are available for baby showers, birthday parties, date night or a family reunion. Make your trip to the beach even more memorable by creating a piece of art you can take home.