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Tuesday 12pm - 4pm Wednesday 12pm - 4pm Thursday 12pm - 4pm Friday 12pm - 4pm Saturday 1pm - 4pm

Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach - ADSO

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Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach - ADSO

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ADSO has been a creative hub on the Emerald Coast since 1956.

With more than 200 members, a free public gallery, art classes for all ages, and youth art camps, ADSO connects artists and the community through exhibitions, education and outreach.

11/05/2026

Art Week starts Monday - Register for your classes NOW!

View the fabulous array of classes to be held during Art Week and plan your schedule now!https://artsdesignsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Art-Week-Flyer-2026.pdf

Call 850-244-1271 during office hours, Tues – Fri 12-4, to register today.

Stop by the ADSO office to pick up a “Mystery Build Bag” and see what you can create—or choose from one of our other fun challenges:

🖌 Mystery Build Bag: Create a work of art using the recycled and found objects in the bag. You must use every item, along with your own substrate and any additional materials you choose.

🖌 Pick a Color: choose any color and make sure at least 75% of your artwork features that color.

🖌 Shoe Art: create a 2-D or 3-D piece featuring shoes. You may decorate an actual shoe or create an artwork that depicts one.

🖌 Textures Galore: Use a variety of materials to create a richly textured piece of art.

These contests are all about imagination, creativity, and thinking outside the box!

11/05/2026

CALLING ARTISTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY!

Bring Your Art to the Emerald Coast!

The 2027 Emerald Coast Arts Festival is inviting talented artists and makers from across the United States to showcase and sell their original work in beautiful Fort Walton Beach, Florida!

This is an opportunity to put your artwork in front of an engaged coastal audience, connect with new collectors and customers, meet fellow creatives, and become part of an exciting celebration of art on the Emerald Coast.

We welcome artists working in a wide range of creative disciplines, including Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Photography, Jewelry, Glass, Fiber, Drawing, Printmaking, Leatherwork, Metalsmithing, Wood, and Mixed Media.

Why participate?
• Showcase your work on the Emerald Coast
• Sell your original artwork and handmade creations
• Reach new customers and collectors
• Connect with artists and art lovers from across the region
• Compete for *$5,000 in cash awards*
• Be part of a vibrant two-day arts festival in Fort Walton Beach

Emerald Coast Arts Festival
📅 April 10–11, 2027
📍 Freedom Tech Center | Fort Walton Beach, FL

Artist Vendor applications are open through November 15, 2026!

👉 Apply online today and bring your art to the Emerald Coast:
https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=14804

Learn more: https://artsdesignsociety.org/art-festival/

Showcase your talent. Experience the Emerald Coast!

11/05/2026

INVEST IN ART. INVEST IN THE EMERALD COAST.

Sponsoring the 2027 Emerald Coast Arts Festival puts your business in front of artists, families, visitors, and the local community while supporting a premier regional arts event.

Sponsor benefits include:
▪ Logo placement on promotional materials, event signage, and digital marketing
▪ Social media and event announcement recognition
▪ Advertisement in the festival program
▪ Complimentary awards night tickets
▪ Positive brand exposure through association with a community-centered event

Put your business in the spotlight! Become a 2027 Emerald Coast Arts Festival sponsor and take advantage of valuable brand exposure while demonstrating your commitment to the arts and our community. Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels. Contact ADSO today to secure your sponsorship and be part of this exciting regional event!

Emerald Coast Arts Festival
📅 April 10–11, 2027
📍 Freedom Tech Center | Fort Walton Beach, FL

Explore sponsorship opportunities: https://artsdesignsociety.org/emerald-coast-arts-festival-sponsorship/

11/05/2026

Register now!

Sip & Paint - Pat Z Roberts
Thursday, November 19, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm.

Cost: $35 members / $40 non-members
Call the Arts and Design Society office at 850-244-1271 to register for this class - office hours are Tuesday-Friday 12 – 4 PM

Enjoy making your own beverage glass! Paint and some glasses provided, if you'd rather supply your own glass, that's okay too.

Students may bring a beverage of their choice to enjoy.

11/05/2026

Fun & Functional Ceramics - Kat Cook
Thursday, November 19, 6-9 pm.

Cost is $30 mem/ $35 non-mem.

Level: beginner / advanced. You will be making Christmas ornaments with cookie cutters, using mason stain to color the clay and glass accents for ornaments. They'll be fired and ready to be picked up in the gallery about a week after the class.

Please call the office at 850-244-1271 to register for this class.
Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday 12 – 4 PM

11/04/2026

🌟 THANK YOU, FREEDOM TECH CENTER! 🌟

The *2027 Emerald Coast Arts Festival* would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to *Freedom Tech Center* for their generous sponsorship and support!

We are grateful for their investment in our community and their commitment to helping bring exciting events and opportunities to the Emerald Coast. Support from local business partners like Freedom Tech Center helps make it possible to showcase talented artists, attract visitors, and celebrate the arts in our region.

We're proud to have Freedom Tech Center as a festival sponsor and look forward to an exciting weekend of art, creativity, and community! https://freedomtechcenter.com/

2027 Emerald Coast Arts Festival
📅 April 10–11, 2027
📍 Freedom Tech Center | Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Learn more about the Emerald Coast Arts Festival: https://artsdesignsociety.org/art-festival/

11/04/2026

🎨 ARE YOU READY FOR ADSO ART WEEK?! 🎨

View the fabulous array of classes to be held during Art Week and plan your schedule now!https://artsdesignsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Art-Week-Flyer-2026.pdf

Call 850-244-1271 during office hours, Tues – Fri 12-4, to register today.

Stop by the ADSO office to pick up a “Mystery Build Bag” and see what you can create—or choose from one of our other fun challenges:

🖌 Mystery Build Bag: Create a work of art using the recycled and found objects in the bag. You must use every item, along with your own substrate and any additional materials you choose.

🖌 Pick a Color: choose any color and make sure at least 75% of your artwork features that color.

🖌 Shoe Art: create a 2-D or 3-D piece featuring shoes. You may decorate an actual shoe or create an artwork that depicts one.

🖌 Textures Galore: Use a variety of materials to create a richly textured piece of art.

These contests are all about imagination, creativity, and thinking outside the box!

11/04/2026

FIRST CLASS IS THIS FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 6!!

Date Night Clay Class - For Adults and Kids over 16
First Friday of the month, 6 PM - 9 PM

Instructor: Kat Cook

Cost: $35 per person

Workshop Details:
Level: all levels of clay artists.

This class is for Adults and Kids over 16. You will make what you want during the class, with limited help if needed.

There are a limited number of wheels, so if you want to use the wheel, please let us know when you sign up.

We will fire and glaze for you, but you will pick out the glazes to be used. Your piece(s) can be picked up in the gallery in about two weeks.

Registration:
All classes/workshops need to be paid for in advance.
Call 850-244-1271 during office hours
Tues – Fri 12-4 to sign up and pay.

11/04/2026

🎨 ** NEW WEEKLY CLASS: Art for Teens!** 🎨

Register your teenage artist now!

Calling all young artists ages 10–16! You don’t have to wait until the beginning of the month to join the fun! *Teens can jump into this ongoing class any Thursday* and start exploring their creativity with instructor Vincent Zingaretti.

Held every Thursday from 4:00–5:30 PM, this class welcomes artists of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced. Students will learn drawing and painting techniques while experimenting with a variety of mediums, including pastels, acrylics, and watercolors.

Whether your teen is just starting out or already loves to create, this is a wonderful opportunity to develop artistic skills, try new techniques, and have fun in a supportive environment!

📅 Thursdays | 4:00–5:30 PM
👩‍🎨 Instructor: - Vincent Zingaretti
🎨 For ages: 10–16

Monthly Cost:
Members: $60 | Non-Members: $70 (this will be prorated if you join the class after the first session!)

📞 *Ready to get started?* Call ADSO at 850-244-1271 to register! The office is open Tuesday–Friday, 12:00–4:00 PM.

✨ No need to wait for a new month—your teen can start creating with us this Thursday! 🎨

11/04/2026

NOVEMBER LUNCHEON with Speaker Gina Kirkland
Wednesday, November 18th, 2026

YOU CAN NOW REGISTER ONLINE! (see link below)

**Following the luncheon is a short general membership meeting with helpful info on what's going on at ADSO. Everyone is welcome to attend.**

Speaker: Gina Kirkland

"I am a multidisciplinary artist whose work is rooted in resilience, faith, curiosity, and a lifelong need to create. I began painting in 2014 during one of the most difficult chapters of my life and discovered that art could transform pain into something meaningful and beautiful.

I work in oil, watercolor, sculpture, stained glass, photography, digital art, and mixed media. I’ve never wanted to be confined to one style or medium. I love experimenting, following my intuition, and allowing each piece to become what it needs to be.

My artwork has received awards, been published, sold to collectors, and exhibited publicly. For me, creating is more than making something beautiful-it is part of my story. My art is proof that something beautiful can grow from even the hardest places, and I’m still discovering where creativity will take me next."

Luncheon will be by reservation only (online registration is preferred- see below!) and must be paid in advance, as a selection of box lunches will be offered.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE is Monday, November 16th. When registering, please indicate your choice of sandwich.

Choices are:
Cheese (American & Swiss)
Ham & Swiss Cheese
Turkey & Swiss Cheese
Roast Beef & Swiss Cheese
Veggie

All sandwiches served with pickle and chips on the side, water or iced tea, and two cookies.

Cost of the luncheon is $15 per person.

YOU CAN NOW REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE FROM THE ADSO WEBSITE! https://artsdesignsociety.org/classes-workshops/ #!event/2026/11/18/monthly-luncheon-gina-kirkland

Venue:
ADSO Gallery, 17 1st Street SE, Fort Walton Beach.

Address

17 First Street SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL
32548

Opening Hours

Tuesday	12pm - 4pm
Wednesday	12pm - 4pm
Thursday	12pm - 4pm
Friday	12pm - 4pm
Saturday	1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+18502441271

Website

https://artsdesignsociety.org/, https://artsdesignsociety.org/art-festival/, https://artsdesignsociety.org/volunteer/, h

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