A long-running Gulf Coast arts tradition returns to Heritage Park on May 9 and 10 as the Foley Art Center hosts the 54th Annual Art in the Park, a juried fine arts festival set in the heart of downtown at the intersection of Highways 59 and 98.

The free outdoor event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, drawing more than 80 artists from across the region, a news release said. The show offers a wide range of handcrafted works including pen and ink, oil, watercolor, pottery, stained glass, wood, porcelain, fused glass, hand-woven textiles and jewelry.

Held each year on Mother’s Day weekend, the festival blends art with family traditions. Visitors are encouraged to stroll through the park, browse artist booths and take photos at the John B. Foley fountain, a popular backdrop for Mother’s Day portraits.

In addition to the juried exhibition, the festival features a food court with a variety of food and beverages, as well as a children’s activity area offering free hands-on art projects and face painting.

A highlight of the weekend is the local student art exhibit, showcasing work from elementary and middle school students. Each year, one piece from the exhibit is selected as the official artwork for the following year’s festival poster.

Cailey Whitfield, a Foley Middle School student who was in seventh grade last year, was selected as the 2026 featured student artist. She received a framed poster, a gift card and the Linda Konair Emerging Artist Award. Whitfield and her family also received commemorative T-shirts, and festival organizers say she is expected to attend and sign shirts during the event.

Since 1966, the Foley Art Center has supported arts education and cultural programming throughout Baldwin County. Founded by a group of 15 local residents, the organization now provides grants to art teachers, offers classes for children and adults and supports arts programs in local feeder schools serving more than 5,000 students.

The center continues to sponsor performances and community events across Foley, with growth driven by support from local businesses and residents.

For more information, visit www.foleyartcenter.com or call (251) 943-4381.