ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The 2010 Orange Beach Festival of Art will take center stage March 13 and 14 at Waterfront Park with a diversity of art that will appeal to attendees of all ages; visual, musical, literary and performing arts.

Regional and national artists and artisans will line the water walk with their works, which will include paintings in all mediums: unique pottery, handmade jewelry, fine wood crafts and hand made garden art.

Visitors will enjoy watching as raku pottery and hand-blown glass are created on-site.

The Children’s Art Alley comprised of exciting art experiences will entice the younger ones into creating their own masterpieces. Little hands can take wet clay and turn it into their own unique piece of pottery or sculpture.

Other creative activities for children will include glass art, textile art and watercolors.

One of the highlights of the 2010 festival will be a performing arts stage, which will feature notable groups such as the Coastal Ballet Academy and Gulf Coast Martial Arts.

Visitors can also enjoy ballroom dancing, tai chi, highland dancing, acting and performances by Martha Humphrey, Bailey Kennon and Elberta Gospel.

A new addition to this year’s festival is the Literary Authors Tent. Works will be on display as authors conduct booksignings. Authors of note who will be in attendance are Bob Williams, author of “Tommy Turtle Learns To Swim” and Dr. Bert Hayes with “Sharecropper’s Son.” The tent is open to authors who wish to enter by calling the Orange Beach Art Center at 981-2787.

Music will fill the air both days as the Musical Stage features a great lineup of multi-talented performers exhibiting a fine blend of vocal harmonies, upbeat personalities, and songwriting abilities and onstage fun. Many of these entertainers have Grammy awards or nominations, have written award winning songs and toured with country music’s star entertainers.

Many of them performed last year such as, Bo Roberts, Alan Rhody, Johnny Barbato, Scott Bryan, Artie Childs and John Joiner.

Many are local entertainers, such as Brent Burns, who wrote and recorded numerous songs with a twist of humor, as well as songs in a Jimmy Buffett tropical style.

Many others, including some surprise great Nashville talent will perform, too.

Shuttle buses will be available at several points to transport to and from the festival site.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. each day.

The deadline for entering the 2010 Orange Beach Festival of Art is Wednesday, Jan. 20.

For more information, go to www.obfoa.com or call the Orange Beach Arts Center at (251) 981-2787 or (251) 223-3970.