The Little Wonders of Watersound Parkway

When you picture the Emerald Coast of Florida, one may think of the fabulous white sand beaches and clear blue water, but there is so much more to the area. The vibrant Walton County area is a haven of talented artists and their work, evident by the Monarch Art Trail along Watersound Parkway.

Origins of the Project

The Cultural Arts Alliance developed the Monarch Art Trail sculpture project with The St. Joe Community Foundation. And the inspiration for the project was born out of the yearly monarch butterfly migration to the area and the community incentives of public art installations.

Sculpture Selection

A call to action was sent out to interested artists in the spring of 2021. The directives were simple, create a sculpture design related to the South Walton County environment and the Monarch butterfly migration pattern. Of the 40 submitted plans, the committee overseeing the Monarch Art Trail project chose eight designs for the pathway. The original proposed designs had to be finished in less than five months after their proposed design was selected and durable toward the surrounding natural elements.

The Themes of the 8 Wonders

The trail extends from the Scenic Highway 30A to U.S. Highway 98 along Watersound Parkway. Throughout the walk along the Monarch Art Trail, the theme of environmentalism, the spirit of the Monarch Butterfly and human connectivity to nature around them. The art does an excellent job of not taking away from the natural flora and fauna surrounding the pieces but connecting with them instead. Though each sculpture expresses a different story and artistic interpretation, they all feel interconnected as you go down the wooded pathway.

Whether you find yourself in the Walton County area for a long weekend or an extended stent of time, the Monarch Art Trail is a must-see attraction.