New Underwater Museum Installed off Grayton Beach

Earning national headlines from CNN and National Geographic, the first Underwater Museum of Art in U.S. was installed off Grayton Beach this summer. Accessible to SCUBA divers, the museum rests on the seafloor about 55-feet below the surface of the water. The permanent installation includes seven sculptures created by popular Southeast artists, including:   
“The Grayt Pineapple,” by Rachel Herring,  
“Self Portrait” A stainless steel statue of a deer by Justin Gaffrey 
“SWARA Skull,” by Vince Tatum 
Concrete Rope Reef Spheres, by Evelyn Tickle
“Propeller in Motion” by Marek Anthony 
“Anamorphous Octopus” by Allison Wickey 
“JYC’s Dream,” a collaborative work by Kevin Reilly and the South Walton Montessori Academy students and teachers 
  
Each piece of art also doubles as an artificial reef, providing a source of biological replenishment for the barren sand flats as well as a fun new attraction cultural attraction for visitors to Northwest Florida.

For those who wish to SCUBA dive the reef, Fish Booty Charters is one of the first charter services offering four-hour dive trips for two to three divers leaving from Grayton Beach. Trips include two or three dives with stops at the underwater museum (850-586-0807, www.fishybooty.com). Rate: $450; divers must bring their own gear, snacks and drinks. 

The Underwater Museum of Art is a joint project made possible by the Cultural Arts Alliance and the South Walton Artificial Reef Association along with Visit South Walton. 

Ready to book your next beach vacation? View Newman-Dailey’s premier vacation rentals online, including Sanctuary at Redfish near Grayton Beach or call one of our friendly vacation specialists at 1-800-225-7652 to help narrow your search.  

See you @ the beach!  

photo credit: 30A.com 

Tuesday, July 24, 2018