ArtsQuest — a fine arts festival produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) — announced that Juan Francisco Adaro will be this year’s Featured Festival Artist. The 26th annual festival is scheduled for May 9-11, 2014 in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.

A contemporary painter born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Juan currently lives in Santa Rosa Beach. Adaro started as a street and mural artist in his early twenties, and has been painting for over two decades. Today, Adaro is known for his large abstract and life size portraits. From traditional oil paintings to live performances, his paintings and works on paper merge the worlds of art and science, depicting natural forms and biological structures in vivid color and imaginative detail. Adaro was also ArtsQuest’s 2012 “Best in Show” winner and ArtsQuest’s 2013 “Award of Excellence” winner.

Gallery Nights, After Hours Beach Bash and More

This year during festival week, local galleries will participate in Gallery Nights on Monday through Thursday, offering special parties, showings and events in the spirit of ArtsQuest. These special gallery events will be open to the public.

Friday’s festivities will also get a boost this year with a new After Hours Beach Bash on the Grand Park Lawn in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin from 8-11 pm. Tickets are $40 and include two complimentary Bacardi Beach Cocktails, hors’ d oeuvres and live music. Tickets are available now on the ArtsQuest website.

The addition of gourmet food trucks along the Gourmet Galley and special Bacardi Beach Bar by Wine World will further spice up this year’s festival. As always, guests will enjoy continuous live music throughout the weekend.

For more festival info, follow ArtsQuest on Facebook.