Immerse yourself in a unique blend of art, conservation, and adventure at North America’s first Underwater Museum of Art (UMA), nestled just 0.7 miles off the coast of Grayton Beach and lying 60 feet beneath the waves. This astonishing underwater gallery is a pioneering initiative under the Cultural Arts Alliance’s Art in Public Spaces Program in collaboration with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association. Its mission is twofold: to bolster marine habitats and fishery populations and to enrich the cultural, educational, and recreational landscape for both the residents of and visitors to South Walton.

The museum marries the beauty of art with the purpose of conservation, creating sanctuaries for marine life while offering a globally unique diving experience. As sculptures are carefully selected for their suitability as marine habitats, the museum expects a diverse array of marine guests, from schools of baitfish to roaming sea turtles and dolphins. With plans to annually enhance its underwater collection, the UMA represents an ongoing commitment to environmental enrichment and cultural ingenuity, promising new wonders for divers to explore year after year.

The inaugural collection of the Underwater Museum of Art in 2018 showcased the imaginative works of seven distinguished artists, each contributing uniquely designed sculptures that serve dual purposes as both art and artificial reefs. Evelyn Tickle’s Concrete Rope Reef Spheres, made from a patented eco-friendly concrete, are designed to eventually host living oysters and other marine species, demonstrating the museum’s dedication to marine conservation. Meanwhile, artworks like Justin Gaffrey’s Self Portrait inspire with their creativity, standing eight feet tall and reflecting the artist’s connection with nature.

From the fascinating Anamorphous Octopus by Allison Wickey, a metal sculpture providing shelter for marine life, to the SWARA Skull by Vince Tatum, created to attract coral growth with its unique design, each piece in the museum has been thoughtfully crafted to enrich the underwater landscape. The collection also includes works like Marek Anthony’s Propeller in Motion, a striking abstraction capturing the essence of movement beneath the sea, and Kevin Reilly’s collaborative project, JYC’s Dream, which celebrates innovation while serving as a habitat for fish. Together, these sculptures not only contribute to the biodiversity of the Gulf’s marine ecosystems but also symbolize a harmonious interaction between human creativity and nature.

Dive into an extraordinary underwater adventure at the Underwater Museum of Art, where art meets marine conservation in the heart of the Gulf of Mexico! Explore a collection of captivating sculptures that transform into thriving marine habitats, attracting a diverse array of sea life. Snorkel or dive through this unique underwater gallery, witnessing the fusion of human creativity and nature’s wonders. Discover how each artwork serves a dual purpose, inspiring awe and supporting the delicate balance of the underwater ecosystem. Witness the evolution of this ever-growing museum as new sculptures are added each year, creating an ever-changing landscape of art and marine life. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a diving aficionado, or simply seeking a unique adventure, the Underwater Museum of Art promises an experience that will leave you in awe of the beauty and ingenuity that lie beneath the waves.