ORANGE BEACH, Ala. -- The fourth annual Emerging Artists Exhibit opens at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach Friday May 4 and will be on display through July 14.

This event is presented by The Hangout with supporting sponsors Melanie’s, Merrill Miller Interiors and Bravo Tacos; gallery sponsors Gulf Island Gallery, Tino’s Fine Art and Wall Décor Frame Shop and Gallery.

The exhibit features the work of graduating art students from participating colleges and universities chosen by their department chair. The opening reception is May 4 at 5 p.m. Bravo Tacos will cater the reception, making it a wonderful opportunity to see cutting edge art while tasting one of the community’s innovative restaurants.

The schools represented in this year’s exhibit include University of South Alabama, Spring Hill College, University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, University of Mobile, Gulf Coast State Community College, University of Montevallo, Auburn University, University of Alabama and Agnes Scott.

This year represents the first year that the invitation to exhibit was extended beyond the Gulf. The exhibit will be judged by Raven McBride, Curator of Education and Outreach at Pensacola Museum of Art and Nance Fleming, artist and owner of Patina Gallery in Fairhope.

Awards totaling more than $1,000 will be disbursed to the chosen students. In addition, each artist will receive a piece of glass art from The Hot Shop specifically made for the Emerging Artists Exhibit by resident artist, Sam Cornman.

“The idea is to offer an opportunity for graduating visual arts students to exhibit and sell their work during the peak season, meet other graduating arts students and possibly win monetary awards,” Juli Jordan, Visiting Artists and Special Exhibits Administrator, said. “We look forward to this exhibit each year and each year we are amazed at the extraordinary talent of the students. It’s also an opportunity for the community and our visitors to see what is emerging from our colleges and universities.”

This year's Emerging Artists are Rikki Rhodes and Amanda Youngblood of University of South Alabama; Grant Benoit and Stacy Gallodoro of Spring Hill College; Madison Rutherford of University of Mobile; Jarrod Goldman and Carleton Haack of University of West Florida; Lindsey Russell of Pensacola State College; Brandon LaFrance of Gulf Coast State College; Maggie Blevins and Alexander Schmidt of the University of Montevallo; Kathryn Beck and Caroline Steele of Auburn University; Micah Craft of the University of Alabama and B.K. Hart of Agnes Scott.

A wide variety of styles and mediums will be presented including oils, ceramics, wood, printmaking, and reclaimed materials.

How it Began

In 2009 The Friends of the Arts and The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach began the Visiting Artists and Special Exhibits Series. One of the objectives is to attract diverse artists from the Southeast to exhibit their works.

An important component of this mission is to encourage serious student artists who have chosen to pursue a formal education in visual arts at the university level. To accomplish this goal the Friends and OBAC created the Emerging Artists Exhibit to draw attention to the works of chosen graduating artists.

The hope is that this annual exhibition will enhance the careers of young artists by providing exposure, experience and encouragement.

And yet, there’s more…

Also on May 4 visit The Hot Shop for Hot Glass Blowout 6-8 p.m. Sam and friends will be up to their tricks of the trade that are always entertaining. Add to your glass collection and hang out with your friends while watching mesmerizing glass blowing demonstrations.

With the purchase of a hand blown drinking glass guests can enjoy the beverage of their choice.

Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach is located at 26389 Canal Road between the O.B. Public Library and the Waterfront Park. For more information visit www.orangebeachartcenter.com or call 251.981.2787.

To support these and other worthwhile events at the Orange Beach Arts Center join the Friends of the Arts, Inc. a nonprofit 501c3 organization. Joining is easy, simply visit the website or call the number above.