Painting, sculpture, jewelry, the Pensacola Symphony, crafts from the past, great food – all the arts come together at the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival in historic downtown Pensacola.

The 2023 festival is Nov. 3, 4 and 5. Admission is free.

The juried art show draws more than 200 of the nation’s best painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists, craftsmen and other artists. This year we welcome artists from 29 states — 62 artists are from Florida and 8 artists are local. The artists compete for a total of $25,000 in prize money in categories including ceramics, drawing, fiber/leather, glass, jewelry, mixed media, oil/acrylic, photography, printmaking/graphics, sculpture, watercolor and wood.

Emerging Artists

The Emerging Artists Program is designed to introduce young (in experience) artists to the Art Festival circuit. GGAF partnered with Artel Gallery in developing the program and searching for new artists.

Ruta Janiulis has been selected as the 2023 Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival Emerging Artist.

Ruta is a Lithuanian-born artist who has lived in the United States since 1994. She graduated from the Fine Arts Gymnasium in Kaunas, Lithuania in 1992 . Studied for two years in Vilniaus Dailės Academy in Kaunas faculty and dropped out to move to the United States. Having studied and worked in Europe, she often draws from her European roots for inspiration. Her fascination with architecture, vintage photography and history is visible in her works and portraits.

Please be sure to visit her booth by the Gazebo.

The Festival Poster

The 2023 Festival poster is by Lydia Adele Randolph, a full-time artist living in a remote area of North Alabama. The design is turned into a limited-edition poster, T-shirts, and other items which have become local collectors’ items. The only way to get posters and T-shirts is at the Festival.

Heritage Arts Festival
Travel back in time as you watch traditional artisans create handmade crafts before your eyes in Pensacola’s oldest and most historic neighborhood. A favorite of festival fans, The Heritage Arts area provides an authentic setting for craftspeople from around the country to demonstrate such arts as blacksmithing, engraving, spinning, weaving and other skills.

Children’s Festival
Neighboring Bartram Park is the site of the Children’s Arts Festival with hands-on art projects for kids of all ages plus an entertainment stage just for kids! Activities are all provided free of charge.

Also in Bartram Park you’ll find the Student Art Show which showcases the talents of both private and public school students of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Over 2,000 pieces of art from elementary, middle and high school students will be on display.

Entertainment
New acts and returning favorites make up the main stage line-up, including the Tanya Gallagher Band, Roman Street, and the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. The Parrish Performing Arts Stage and Children’s Stage features local performing arts, dance and musical groups. A complete line-up is available on the website.

Hours:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday

Children’s Festival Hours:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Other Details

  • Pets are not allowed at the festival per city ordinance.
  • Handicap parking is at Bartram Park. Patrons with handicap permits should enter from Main Street at Barracks Street. Present your permit to the police officer manning the street closure for access.
  • Posters, T-shirts and other items are available for sale only at the festival.