MARCH 14 – 16, 2025 @ 10am-5pm each day
FREE admission to the public
The OUTDOOR ART SHOW is located on the grounds of the Eastern Shore Art Center and the surrounding downtown area of Fairhope, Alabama on Oak and Section Streets. it is directly next to the Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival and within walking distance to Mobile Bay, many specialty shops and restaurants. This is a cultural and social highlight for the Gulf Coast and attracts more than 250,000 visitors!
The art show has included prestigious, international and regional fine artists for the past 51 years. This year, Eastern Shore Art Center will accept an exclusive selection of renowned artists and cutting-edge newcomers to attract the most respected art dealers, collectors, interior designers and art enthusiasts.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR ONLINE GALLERY with our 2025 participating artists!
*** We are no longer accepting Artist Applications for this year’s ESAC Outdoor Art Show. Apps for our 2026 festival will go live on ZAPPlication.org AUGUST 1ST.
THANK YOU to our 2025 ESAC Outdoor Art Show Award Sponsors!
$10,000 in prizes to artists are made possible by the generosity of these sponsors and grant funding by Sweet Home Alabama, Alabama State Council on the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts.
Isabel Jackson Best of Show Award
In memory of former ESAC Board President & Outdoor Art Show Chair, Isabel Jackson
Sponsored by: 68 Ventures
Bob Mullican First Place Award
In memory of long time Co-Chair of the Outdoor Art Show & arts supporter, Bob Mullican
Sponsored by: Hargrove Foundation
Painting – First Place
Sponsored by: Prestwood Law Firm
Photography – First Place
In honor of Mary Van Antwerp
Sponsored by: Torrey Van Antwerp Dekeyser, Mary Alden Van Antwerp & Nancy Van Antwerp Shaneyfelt
Drawing and Graphics – First Place
Sponsored by: Tom & Rebecca Myers
Sculpture – First Place
Sponsored by: Senator Chris Elliot
Edith Harwell Ceramics Award – First Place
Sponsored by: Gaye Lindsey
Mixed Media – First Place
Sponsored by: Senator Chris Elliot
Fine Craft and Fine Jewelry – First Place
Sponsored by: Senator Chris Elliot
Merit Awards in all categories
Sponsored by: Alabama State Council on the Arts + Walmart
Special Thanks to: City of Fairhope, Chick-fil-A, Imperial Dade, Flowerwood Nursery, Tony’s Towing, and Old Tyme Feed and Seed
Welcome to this year’s festival Judges!
Ray Wetzel worked as an independent studio artist for over ten years before attending Jacksonville State University and receiving a BFA in painting. Upon completing the program, he was hired as the gallery coordinator for the university, which led to a career in the museum field. Wetzel volunteered and trained at several institutions in the Southeast before being hired as the curator at the Gadsden Museum of Art. He is currently director/curator at the museum. Wetzel’s work has been a part of several group shows, and most recently exhibiting his 11th solo show Gemini for Jacksonville State University.
Morgan Worsham is the Art Gallery Coordinator at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL, a role she has held since 2018. Over the years, she has curated, overseen, and installed more than 75 exhibitions, including lifetime retrospectives and a gallery renaming and dedication.
Morgan holds a BFA in Photography from Jacksonville State University and is currently pursuing her MFA. Beyond her gallery work, she is an accomplished freelance and fine art photographer. Her work has been published in exhibition books from Photo Place Gallery, Black Box Gallery, Photographer’s Forum, and various online galleries, most recently earning an honorable mention in the Blue Koi Gallery. Her commercial photography has also been widely featured, including a cover and five-page spread in V3’s Wedding Compendium edition.
Morgan enjoys working with university students to facilitate their graduate exhibitions and is passionate about sharing her knowledge of gallery installation with young artists. She finds gallery curation and installation to be a constantly evolving challenge—one that keeps problem-solving and practical skills at the forefront with every show.
With a deep passion for curation and visual storytelling, Morgan continues to contribute to the art community through her exhibitions and photography.
OAS 2025 AWARDS RUNDOWN
Isabel Jackson Best of Show ($2500)
Artist: Larry Allen / Booth # 89
Bob Mullican Award ($1500)
Artist: Caleb Barnaby / Booth # 35
First Place in each medium ($500 each)
Painting (Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor)
Artist: Ashton Huffstetler / Booth # 79
Photography
Artist: Robin Renee Hix / Booth # 11
Drawing and Graphics (includes Pastel)
Artist: John Davis / Booth # 8
Sculpture
Artist: Nelson Grice / Booth # 21
Ceramics
Artist: Timothy Sullivan / Booth # 50
Fine Craft (includes Fine Jewelry)
Artist: Denise Rollings-Martin / Booth # 55
Mixed Media
Artist: Kelly Nicole Hatfield / Booth # 49
Merit Awards in each medium ($300 each)
Painting (Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor)
Artist: Leif Johansen / Booth # 42
Photography
Artist: Thomas Sanders / Booth # 44
Drawing and Graphics (includes Pastel)
Artist: Nick Cantrell / Booth # 24-25
Sculpture
Artist: Rick and Janice Moore / Booth # 46
Ceramics
Artist: Craig McMillin Booth / # 7
Fine Craft (includes Fine Jewelry)
Artist: Roger & Renae Poer / Booth # 18
Mixed Media
Artist: Janet Campbell Bradley / Booth # 65
Reciprocal Award from the Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival
Artist: Nick Cantrell / Booth # 24-25
Directions
- From Interstate 10, take Exit 35 and head south on US Highway 98 for approximately 10 miles.
- At the intersection of US Highway 98/Greeno Road and Fairhope Avenue, turn right and head west into Downtown Fairhope, approximately one mile.
- The festival is located on the streets of Downtown Fairhope.
Parking
Parking is limited in the downtown area and available on a first come, first serve basis.
Please watch for “NO PARKING” signs during the festival and DO NOT block driveways. The City and Festival Committees make every effort not to tow vehicles, but it may be necessary if a driveway or residence is blocked or if your vehicle interferes with the festival activities. In the event your car is towed during the festival, please call Tony’s Towing Services at 251-928-7324.
Downtown Parking
- At the Fairhope East Elementary School
- In the public parking garage off North Church Street.
- At the Municipal parking lot off Church Street
- At the First Baptist Church of Fairhope, St. Lawrence Church and the Fairhope
- United Methodist Church on South Section Street except during church services.
Handicap Parking
- On Bancroft behind Julwin’s restaurant.
Golf Cart Parking
Located at the Coastal Alabama Community College on Bancroft.
Bicycle Valet
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee along with the Baldwin County Trailblazers will have Bike Valet set up in front of the Fairhope Public Library on Fairhope Avenue during event hours. For more information, please email the committee at fairhopepedbikeada@gmail.com.
Hot Wheels Skate Center will be providing a shuttle service during the ESAC Outdoor Art Show! Shuttles will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5:30pm.
The cost is $5.00 for a round trip ride. Look for signs for the designated parking area and shuttle pickup/drop off.
Parking pick up / drop off location off Greeno Road (Hwy 98):
-Plantation Pointe Shopping Center (at Piggly Wiggly)
Festival pickup / drop off:
The shuttle stop at the festival will be at the Bancroft/Johnson Street intersection across from the Coastal Alabama Community College campus.