CAA Expands Art in Public Spaces Program With Two Murals Created By International Street Artist Kelsey Montague

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) has added two vibrant new masterpieces to Walton County’s cultural landscape, marking another bold milestone for its Art in Public Spaces program. Internationally renowned street artist Kelsey Montague, known for her larger-than-life, interactive murals, has brought her signature style — and her famous wings — to the The Pavilion at Watersound® Town Center at 85 Origins Main Street and the newly opened Grayton Beach Central Parking Facility on County Road 283 South. These colorful, joy-filled works are designed not just to be seen, but to be experienced — encouraging visitors and locals alike to step in, snap a photo, and quite literally become part of the art.

Kelsey Montague believes that art should not be separated from the human experience, but that the human experience should have a hand in creating art itself. Kelsey has painted large-scale, interactive street murals around the world including in Istanbul, New York City, Los Angeles, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, and Buenos Aires. Each piece has provided an opportunity for thousands of people to become living works of art. Participants are invited to step into the artwork, explore what inspires them and post pictures on social media in the hashtag #WhatLiftsYou.

Kelsey began her #WhatLiftsYou movement in Manhattan 11 years ago with large-scale murals of her iconic wings. Celebrities including Kendall Jenner, Vanessa Hudgens and Jessica Biel have posed with the street art wings while media outlets like The New York Times, Forbes and The Today Show have featured her work. In 2019 Taylor Swift commissioned Kelsey to create a winged mural to help launch her ‘ME!’ single in Nashville.  Early in 2020, the NFL chose Kelsey — the only female artist selected — to create pieces for the Super Bowl in Miami.

“We were absolutely thrilled to collaborate with Kelsey Montague on this mural for Grayton Central. Her inspiring vision and unique artistry align perfectly with the vibrant spirit of South Walton, and we couldn’t be more excited to see this beautiful piece come to life in our community,” said Kelli Carter, Director of Marketing, Walton County Tourism.

Artist Kelsey Montague poses with her completed mural at the Grayton Beach Central Parking Facility

"We are thrilled to support another inspiring public art project through the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County," said April Wilkes, Executive Director of the St. Joe Community Foundation. "Ms. Montague’s butterfly mural feels like a natural extension of the Watersound® Monarch Art Trail and offers a beautiful space for both the community and visitors to create lasting memories."

The murals, produced in partnership with Walton County Tourism and the St. Joe Community Foundation, wonderfully express the theme of connectivity and relationship 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.

“Public art has the power to spark joy, curiosity, and connection — and Kelsey’s work does all of that and more,” said Courtney Malone, CAA Director of Programs and Creative Placemaking. “These murals don’t just beautify a wall; they invite people to stop, engage, and share a moment with their surroundings and each other. That’s exactly what our Art in Public Spaces program is all about.”

The CAA’s Art in Public Spaces program aims to make art accessible to all by placing it where daily life happens — in parks, along sidewalks, on buildings, and in community gathering spaces. The initiative fosters collaboration, celebrates local culture, encourages tourism, stimulates the economy, and transforms public areas into shared sources of pride. From sculptures and murals to installations and performance spaces, the program works to ensure art is woven into the fabric of Walton County for residents and visitors to enjoy year-round.