Seagrove Village Market Café, a beloved cornerstone of the Seagrove community, is proud to announce the completion of an exciting new mural right next to our cafe. This mural is a tribute to the vibrant history that has shaped Seagrove.
The mural, a project that began in 2022, was crafted by artist Kate Belyaeva, in collaboration with the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA).
Embodying the CAA’s motto, the mural proudly displays the hashtag #artmatters, reaffirming the importance of art in the community.
George and Ann Hartley, the owners of Seagrove Village Market Café, envisioned a mural that would not only showcase their restaurant but also give back to the natives. They chose a strategic location right off the bike path next to the restaurant. They built a standalone lighted wall allowing the mural to face both the bike path and the road, ensuring that everyone, from beachgoers to passersby, could appreciate this artistic masterpiece. A walk-by or drive-by of this mural offers a glimpse into the history of Seagrove.
Seagrove Village Market Café, being one of the first businesses on 30A, is often referred to as the “keeper of the history of Seagrove,” taking viewers on a journey through time, and highlighting key elements that shaped the community. Seagrove Market Village Café also served as a gatekeeper for residents. From the 1950s, homeowners in Seagrove would often store their house keys within a designated “key box” at the Market Café. This allowed homeowners to direct maintenance workers to swing by the café to retrieve their house keys.
At the heart of the mural, you’ll find a depiction of Cube McGee and his pet deer, Bambi. Cube McGee played a pivotal role in developing Seagrove, building a tight-knit community, and becoming a local icon with his beloved Bambi. Their daily adventures on the beach remain a cherished memory of Seagrove’s past. The image of a girl hugging the deer pays homage to a historic photograph of Cube McGee’s young friend feeding Bambi in front of his real estate business building.
The deer, or Bambi, also is a nod to one of Hartleys’ other restaurants, Surfing Deer, as well as the deer symbolizing the numerous deer you see in the area. “You can’t drive down Highway 98 without seeing a deer!” said Ann Hartley.
The mural also features a bear, symbolizing the wild black bears of the 30A area, reminiscent of the region’s abundant wildlife. Notably, the mural also includes a turtle, highlighting the significance of turtle nesting season along the coast. The sand surrounding the turtle features turtle eggs, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts to protect endangered sea turtles. Throughout the mural, you will also find native florals and plants that are meticulously incorporated, representing the local ecosystem’s beauty and diversity.
This new mural at Seagrove Village Market Café is a testament to the spirit of the Seagrove community. It’s a painting that shows Seagrove’s history and today, reminding us of what makes this coastal place unique. As visitors and locals stop to enjoy this art, they’re invited to become a part of the rich narrative of Seagrove.
When visiting the mural, visitors and locals are encouraged to take a photo and share it on their personal social media profiles, using the hashtag #SeagroveMural. When doing so, it will automatically enter amateur photographers into a drawing for $500 that can be used at any Hartley Restaurant Group restaurant– Surfing Deer, Seagrove Village Market Cafe, and Watersound Village Market. Submit a photo by December 31, 2023, and the winner will be announced by January 5, 2023, on the Seagrove Village Market Café Facebook and Instagram pages.
