Posted on 10/25/2024By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, a trusted pillar in 30A’s vibrant arts scene, unveils its latest project—the Inlet Beach Underpass. This new landmark not only enhances pedestrian safety but also celebrates the local art community with murals by talented 30A artists.
The new underpass is a well-lit, accessible pedestrian tunnel that connects 30Avenue in Inlet Beach to the beachside of Highway 98, creating a safer way to cross the increasingly busy intersection. In addition to safety, the underpass allows pedestrians to move seamlessly between Inlet Beach’s attractions and businesses. It also features ten incredible murals commissioned by local artists, which brighten the 136-foot path and provide a unique glimpse into the 30A way of life.
Inlet Beach Underpass Get Down
Though the underpass opened to the public at the end of August, the CAA is excited to officially celebrate the completed project with its Inlet Beach Underpass Get Down event. The celebration is free to the public and will include an official ribbon cutting, parade through the tunnel, live music, and fun activities at 30Avenue. It will run from 4pm to 7pm on October 29.
One of the best parts of the event will be viewing the 20-foot by 8-foot murals sprawled along the walls of the underpass. These amazing works of art are part of the CAA’s Art in Public Spaces initiative. The initiative is all about enhancing the county’s cultural fabric by creating meaningful experiences, celebrating community, and fostering collaboration—and that is exactly what these pieces do! The tunnel’s public art element was a collaboration effort between the CAA, Scenic Walton, Walton Bounty Board of County Commissioners, and Walton County Tourism Department, with additional support provided by other local groups.
The creative display boasts vibrant art by local artists Francisco Adaro, Katherine Boggs, Heather Clements, Bradley Copeland, Olga Guy, Wes Hinds, Sarah Page, Andy Saczynski, Andrea Scurto, and Lindsay Tobias. Jennifer Steele, the CAA President & CEO, stated, “The murals wonderfully express the theme of connectivity among humans, nature, and our built environment, and the CAA is grateful to be a part of this important project that provides connection for our community.” In the future, the underpass art component will grow to include replicas of the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA) sculptures, which are a set of underwater art installations that double as artificial reefs off the coast of Santa Rosa Beach.
The murals wonderfully express the theme of connectivity among humans, nature, and our built environment, and the CAA is grateful to be a part of this important project that provides connection for our community.
- Jennifer Steele
Whether you’ll be here for Tuesday’s Get Down event or not, we wanted to give you a sneak peek of the colorful masterpieces you’ll see and learn a bit about the artists behind each piece!
Francisco Adaro
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francisco Adaro is a well-known painter whose passion for art began at a young age. In 2012, he moved to Niceville with his wife to see how his art would be received in the States. It’s safe to say, his enchanting and creative style has been a hit! Using oil and a vibrant palette of color, Adaro creates lively scenes that strike a balance between real life and the whimsical. Adaro’s Inlet Beach underpass mural depicts a classic beach scene in his imaginative style. It’s the perfect representation of the laidback, beachy, and dynamic 30A lifestyle.
Katherine Boggs
Katherine Boggs loves bold colors, and her stunning artwork is a testament to that! Boggs earned a BA in Studio Art with both a Marketing and Arts Management minor at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Now, she creates bold, joyful art that elicits all the good feelings to anyone who views her work. The mural she crafted for the Inlet Beach pedestrian tunnel features a swimmer holding a fish, with the fish’s eye juxtapositioned over the girl’s eye. Bright yellows, oranges, and blues dominate the scene, blessing observers with happy beach vibes.
Heather Clements
Former Florida-based artist Heather Clements strives to create and share beauty with meaning. She has been passionate about art since she was young, and earned a BFA at the Maryland Institute College of Art. She lived in Panama City for several years, where she owned an art gallery, hosted monthly art exhibits, and taught art. For Clements, art and nature are therapy. Her work dives into the connection between humans and the natural environment—and her Inlet Beach mural is an example of this. Clements’ mural consists of pink and purple hues, and depicts a hopeful woman among native Florida flora, including Southern Magnolia, Lupine, and a snowy egret.
Bradley Copeland
Santa Rosa Beach artist Bradley Copeland favors bold colors and unapologetic self-expression in her work. She moved to the panhandle in 2019, turning her passion for art into a full-time gig. For Copeland, art is a spiritual experience. Creativity is an essential part of who she is, as well as a refuge in life. Her work is showcased throughout the Southeast and on the Emerald Coast, including her mural at Inlet Beach. This vibrant painting features two hands reaching toward each other, one human and one earthly. Flowers and Copeland’s iconic lip imagery radiate out from the connection. Like the underpass itself and the other murals, this piece beautifully reflects the meaningful connections created within the 30A community.
Olga Guy
Olga Guy is a watercolor artist who uses bright colors to craft nature-themed works of art. Born in Honduras, Guy has traveled the world honing her craft through meaningful experiences—from enriching her English in London, teaching orphans in Malawi, practicing photography and owning an Asian restaurant in Mexico, and joining the artistic community in Panama City. As a child, Guy would adorn her bedroom walls with colorful murals. Now, her art is displayed in exhibits and art venues across Florida. And this includes her whimsical mural at Inlet Beach, which portrays a colorful array of beachy elements, outdoor recreation, and individuals happily experiencing it all.
Wes Hinds
Graffiti artist Wes Hinds is a noteworthy figure in the 30A art scene. Hinds was thirteen when he first picked up a can of spray paint, which turned out to be a gift to us all! His bold style using vivid colors captivates the imagination. One of Hinds’ most recent pieces is his mural titled “Partying down on the A” in the 30A underpass. The expressive painting boasts loud colors, bold faces, and funky elements. It’s an exciting representation of the artistic community on the Emerald Coast.
Sarah Page
Sarah Page is an adventure artist, which allows her and anyone who observes her art to embark on a journey of discovery and expression. Page employs her bright and blocky style to create everything from murals to illustrations to graphics. As you walk through the Inlet Beach underpass, you’ll immediately notice the joy and relaxation radiating from Page’s beachy mural. The image reflects a lively scene of light and color, with a group of people witnessing a colorful sunset in a paradise setting. Just like we all feel when watching a picture-perfect 30A sunset!
Andy Saczynski
Local artist Andy Saczynski is well-known in the 30A art community. His style combines components of cubism, folk art, and outsider art, and he uses a variety of mediums to create his work—from house paint to wood to recycled musical instruments and more. Saczynski pulls inspiration from his surroundings and the natural Florida environment. His imaginative Inlet Beach mural is a wild depiction of beach life elements, combining images of salty waves and sea life and native flora and iconic 30A architecture.
Andrea Scurto
Known for fanciful illustrations and imaginative murals, Andrea (Andi) Scurto is a distinguished artist and storyteller from Destin. Scurto garners inspiration from peaceful walks and being outdoors. Her mural in the Inlet Beach pedestrian tunnel is delightful, comprised of pretty colors mixed with an element of whimsy. It shows a girl and several animals on ladders painting their own version of the mural, connected in journey and purpose.
Lindsay Tobias
Exposed to the explosion of color in the artistic scene in Miami at a young age, Lindsay Tobias is a self-taught painter who has been passionate about art her entire life. Tobias is happiest by the water, and she draws inspiration from the surrounding coastal environment. She strives to tell stories with her art and push others to feel something or think differently, and her incredible piece in Inlet Beach does just that. The image portrays a set of hands intertwined with string, with birds exploring the space in between.
Scenic Highway 30A is a haven for artistic creativity, and it’s so exciting to have the new Inlet Beach underpass feature such unique pieces of art for the public to enjoy every day! If you’re going to be in the area on October 29, be sure to check out the Get Down event to celebrate the pedestrian tunnel’s opening, the increased safety it provides our locals and visitors, and the artistry that reflects our beautiful beach community. If you’re not here for the event, don’t worry! You can see it whenever you’re here for your next beach vacation! Browse our selection of 30A vacation rentals, which includes several in Inlet Beach—placing you right near the new scenic underpass, the snow-white beach, and all the fun happenings at 30Avenue!
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.
