Aiming to ease the lingering sting of lost sales from the Annual National Shrimp Festival that was canceled this year due to the then-impending Hurricane Isaias, business owners in the Gulf Shores Waterway Village District decided to counter with a Shrimp Fest Art Walk on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Sponsored by the Waterway Village Arts & Entertainment District Merchants Association, the event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at businesses throughout the district.

"Organized within days of the cancellation of the 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival due to Hurricane Isaias, the pop-up brings local businesses and artists together to create an opportunity for artists to showcase and sell their work," the group said in a release.

Tara Gifford of Blue Girl Beading and clay artist Maya Cantrell are planning to bring back a pop-up show at Big Beach Brewing as the pair did on Oct. 8 after the fest had to cancel with the storm looming.

"I'm very excited about it," Gifford said. "Maya and I did so well at the last pop-up with not much advertising, so I can imagine with all the shares of a more organized event it is shaping up to be something special."

She said she hopes the intimate setting will make it easier for customers who might have trouble negotiating a larger venue like the public beachfront.

"We do have a crowd of followers that can't make it around easily to a large event like Shrimp Festival, so the smaller event will be easier for them to come and enjoy," Gifford said. "I'm really looking forward to it."

Space for the artists will be set up at businesses in the district with 12-by-12 booths. Vendors must sign up for the event with the city for a $25 one-time license for the event.

Oil artist Kristin Pierre has been working with the city to coordinate the event and place artists at businesses around the district. She has a studio in the business center at Gulf Shores First Presbyterian Church that will be open during the event.

"Residents and visitors are invited to explore the district, shop local art, listen to live music and enjoy food and drinks at area businesses throughout the day," the release states.

Councilwoman Jennifer Guthrie, owner of Glow Yoga Studio and Shop in Gulf Shores and president of the merchants' association, said the art walk is a way the group can promote the district and the many local artists who thrive here.

"As the Arts & Entertainment District, our mission is to champion these artists, and this Art Walk is one small way we can show up for them when they need it most," Guthrie said. "We know artists depend on events like the Shrimp Festival to support their livelihoods."

Waterway Village District businesses providing space for the artists include:

• Tacky Jacks;
• Sunny 105.7;
• Big Beach Brewing;
• Gulf Coast Arts Alliance;
• Galway Irish Public House;
• Acme Oyster House;
• Gulf Shores Builders Supply;
• Isla Wine;
• Foam Coffee; and
• Pottery Central and clay artist Steven Dark.

Artists signed up for the event:

Artists

• Beachin' Vibes Jewelry;
• Copper Studio Art LLC;
• Creative Designs;
• Jubilee Clay of Bon Secour;
• Milton Cross Woodworking;
• Raw Amor Jewelry;
• Saltwater heals;
• Art @ Studio 7108 by Kevin Cobb;
• Batik Watercolors;
• Blue Girl Beading Co.;
• Debi Parnell Photography;
• Kristin Pierre Fine Art;
• Maya Earth Ceramics;
• Nicole Goodbar;
• Pottery Central World Headquarters;
• Southern Home and Art;
• Swiger Studio; and
• Sand Castle University

Entertainment

• Big Beach Brewery – Destiny Brown 12-3, Free Radicals 6-10 and football on the screens all day;
• Tacky Jacks – The Homies 12-4, Montgomery Hwy 6-10, and football on the screens all day; and
• Sloop & Galway – TBD.

For more information on the event and to see updates on locations and music, visit the Waterway Village Events page on Facebook.