CAA Celebrates America250 With National Recognition & Regional Exhibition Showcasing Florida's Creative Spirit

As communities across the nation commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County is celebrating America250 through two significant initiatives that honor Florida's artistic identity while elevating Northwest Florida on both national and regional stages.

The CAA's internationally acclaimed Underwater Museum of Art (UMA) has been selected as Florida's featured public artwork in 250: A Celebration of Public Art in the U.S., a virtual exhibition presented by NOT REAL ART in partnership with CODAworx and Arterial. Launched on July 3, the exhibition celebrates America's Semiquincentennial by highlighting one extraordinary public artwork from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Curated by former New York gallery director Kirsten Bengtson-Lykoudis, the online exhibition showcases public artworks that transform everyday spaces into places of beauty, reflection, and connection. Selected from the extensive CODAworx Project Library, the exhibition features sculptures, murals, installations, and immersive public art experiences from across the country and will remain permanently archived online.

"America250 is a celebration of the people, places, and ideas that have shaped our nation, and the arts have always played an essential role in telling that story," said Jennifer Steele, President & CEO of the Cultural Arts Alliance. "We are incredibly honored that the Underwater Museum of Art was selected to represent Florida in this national exhibition while also creating opportunities for regional artists to share their unique perspectives through our collaborative airport exhibition. Together, these projects celebrate the creativity, innovation, natural beauty, and sense of community that define both our region and our country, inspiring residents and visitors alike to experience the power of the arts."

Since its debut in 2018 through a partnership between the CAA and the South Walton Artificial Reef Association with additional support from Walton County Tourism, the Underwater Museum of Art—the nation's first permanent underwater sculpture museum—has become an internationally recognized destination, blending contemporary art with marine conservation. Located approximately one mile off Grayton Beach in the Gulf, the site creates habitat for marine life while offering a one-of-a-kind experience for divers and snorkelers.

Closer to home, the CAA with support from Walton County Tourism is also partnering with Bay Arts Alliance and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) to present America250: Celebrating Florida, a collaborative juried exhibition inspired by the Florida Department of Transportation's America250 Florida campaign.

The exhibition features original artwork by regional artists celebrating Florida's unique role in America's history, culture, natural beauty, and future. Through themes including freedom, innovation, heritage, community, and the state's diverse landscapes, the exhibition offers travelers and residents alike an opportunity to experience Northwest Florida's vibrant creative community.

Displayed through the end of August at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport during one of the region's busiest travel seasons, the exhibition introduces thousands of visitors to the work of local artists while celebrating the enduring role of the arts in telling America's story.

"America250 is an opportunity to reflect on our nation's past while imagining its future," said Steele. "Artists help us do both. Whether beneath the Gulf's surface or welcoming travelers at our regional airport, these projects demonstrate how public art creates meaningful connections between people, places, and history."

Together, these initiatives underscore the Cultural Arts Alliance's commitment to expanding access to the arts while positioning Walton County and Northwest Florida as destinations where creativity, community, and cultural heritage thrive.

For more information about the Underwater Museum of Art, visit UMAFL.org.  Information about the America250 Florida exhibition at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is available at CulturalArtsAlliance.com.