Posted on 1/9/2026By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
There’s a moment each winter when Seaside shifts.
The crowds thin, the pace softens, and the town feels a little more introspective. Mornings stretch longer. Afternoons invite wandering. Conversations linger. And quietly, creatively, something special begins to happen.
That’s when artists arrive.
For decades, winter in Seaside, Florida, has drawn painters, writers, musicians, filmmakers, and thinkers from around the country — not for a vacation in the traditional sense, but for something deeper. They come for clarity. For focus. For space to work. And they come for Escape to Create, a nationally recognized artist-in-residence program rooted in the heart of town.
A Creative Tradition Rooted in Place
Founded in 1993, Escape to Create is based in Seaside, where each winter a small group of artists is invited to live and work for several weeks, fully immersed in the rhythms of the town and the natural beauty of the Gulf.
The goal isn’t distraction — it’s intention.
Artists are given the time and space to focus on their craft, while the community is invited into the process through public events, performances, readings, and conversations. It’s not art on a pedestal. It’s art woven into everyday life — encountered at galleries, libraries, courtyards, and unexpected corners of town.
And that’s exactly why it works here.
Why Winter Matters
Winter along Scenic 30A offers something increasingly rare: quiet inspiration.
The beaches are still breathtaking. The light is softer. The air is cooler. The pace is unhurried. For artists, it’s an environment that encourages reflection and productivity. For visitors, it creates a chance to experience Seaside in a more personal, authentic way.
Guests staying nearby often stumble into an Escape to Create event without even planning to — a jazz performance in the morning, a filmmaker talk mid-day, a gallery reception that turns into an hour-long conversation. These moments don’t feel staged. They feel discovered.
Why It Matters — Even If You’re Not an Artist
You don’t have to be a painter, musician, or writer to feel the effect of a town filled with creative energy.
There’s something quietly contagious about being in a place where people have come to think deeply, work intentionally, and see the world a little differently. Even if you never attend an event or pick up a paintbrush, that energy has a way of seeping into everyday moments. Morning coffee tastes a little slower. Beach walks feel more reflective. Conversations stretch longer. The pace invites presence.
For many guests, this is what makes winter in and around Seaside so memorable. You’re not just staying near a beautiful beach — you’re temporarily stepping into a mindset that values creativity, curiosity, and space to breathe. It’s inspiration without pressure. Participation without expectation.
And often, it’s the reason people leave feeling more refreshed than they expected — even if they can’t quite explain why.
Events That Invite You In
Escape to Create’s winter season runs from early January through late February, featuring a rotating lineup of artists and community events. Performances, artist talks, film presentations, and receptions are open to the public and designed to foster connection between visitors, locals, and the artists themselves.
Each event offers a different entry point — whether you’re deeply engaged in the arts or simply curious — and all of them add a layer of richness to a winter stay along the Gulf.
Below are the featured public events for the 2026 season — each one offering a different way to experience Seaside’s creative side.
Escape to Create 2026 Event Schedule
Jazz Performance: Eboni Fondren
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 10 AM – 11 AM
Location: Walton County Coastal Branch Library
Accompanied by pianist Cam Ray of Top Hat Live Productions, jazz vocalist Eboni Fondren shares personal stories and performs iconic songs from the jazz greats who shaped her journey as a contemporary artist. A soulful, story-driven way to open the season.
Live Performance & Artist Reception: Dr. Laurence Sherr and Harold D. Smith
Sunday, January 25, 2026 | 4 PM – 6 PM
Location: Anne Hunter Galleries
Classical guitarist Dr. Laurence Sherr performs Blue Ridge Frescos, written for solo guitar, alongside the annual Escape to Create artist reception. Visual artist Harold D. Smith will exhibit his work and offer an artist talk during the reception, creating a layered experience of sound and sight in the heart of Seaside.
Filmmaker Presentations: Emily Harrold and Christine Murray
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 10 AM – 12 PM
Location: Walton County Coastal Branch Library
Documentary filmmaker Emily Harrold screens segments of Sister Senators, followed by a TEDx-style multimedia presentation from Christine Murray, who explores the artful — and often humorous — challenges of documentary storytelling. Expect insight, honesty, and a few laughs along the way.
Live Performance & Artist Reception: Bryant Whelan and Dennis Redmoon Darkeem
Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 4 PM – 6 PM
Location: Anne Hunter Galleries
Visual artist Bryant Whelan exhibits her work and leads an artist talk during the annual reception. The evening also features Dennis Redmoon Darkeem, presenting a multi-sensory performance and talk titled Soundscapes of Memory, blending sound, story, and lived experience.
Author Presentation: Judith Dupré
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 10 AM – 1 AM
Location: Walton County Coastal Branch Library
The season concludes with an illustrated presentation by author Judith Dupré, offering a behind-the-scenes look at a novel currently in progress. A thoughtful, reflective close to the winter residency.
Staying Where Creativity Lives
Taken together, these gatherings are less about checking dates off a calendar and more about creating moments that linger long after they end.
One of the unique joys of winter on 30A is how seamlessly culture and place blend together — especially for guests staying near Seaside, where access comes without the crowds. Choosing nearby communities allows visitors to enjoy the energy of Escape to Create events while returning to quieter streets, open beaches, and a more relaxed pace at the end of the day.
Guests staying in the surrounding areas don’t just attend events — they experience them organically. A morning bike ride turns into a library jazz performance. An afternoon errand becomes a gallery visit. An evening out lingers longer than expected. It’s a reminder that a beach vacation doesn’t have to mean filling every hour — sometimes it means letting discovery lead the way.
This balance is what makes winter such a compelling time to explore 30A Vacation Rentals close to Seaside. With decades of local experience and a team that lives and works along the coast year-round, Ocean Reef understands how these moments unfold — because we’ve watched them happen season after season.
Our Ocean Reef Resorts Grayton Beach Office, located just a short bike ride from Seaside, puts guests right in the middle of it all — close enough to participate, far enough to exhale. It’s a location that mirrors the Escape to Create experience itself: connected, intentional, and grounded in place.
That’s why artists flock here each winter. And it’s why guests who stay nearby during this season often return again and again.
Because creativity, much like the Gulf itself, has a way of drawing people back.
The Ocean Reef Editorial Team leads the market in vacation rental, real estate, and coastal lifestyle content, with decades of Destin & 30A expertise behind every story. As the area's largest locally owned and longest continually operating vacation rental company, we welcome over 200,000 guests each year and reach millions who dream of the beach. Our guides serve travelers, homeowners, and locals alike, sharing authentic knowledge you can trust-because this coast isn't just where we work, it's where our story began, and where we'll continue to welcome generations to come.
