Folks who live along the Gulf Coast of Alabama know that there is nothing better than an afternoon stroll where you can enjoy the sunshine, hear the wildlife and see the water.

Mild temperatures and scenic beauty are two of the main reasons people live in these parts.

On March 12-13, however, you can add art to that landscape as, once again, the Orange Beach Festival of Art will set up at beautiful Waterfront Park in Orange Beach. From gorgeous paintings, to unique sculptures, jewelry to fine wood crafts, hand blown glass to sounds of Broadway, everyone will find something they love at the Orange Beach Festival of Art.

Eloise Thomley, director of the festival, is excited and says that the 2011 version of the long-time event will be the biggest and best yet.

“We will have 100 exhibitors of visual arts that will be chosen very carefully from all of the applications that we receive,” Thomley said. “This will include water color paints, oil paintings, pottery, wood working and other areas.”

New the entrance to the festival will be a large tent housing a performing arts stage.

“We will have the South Baldwin Community Theatre performing this year, as well as several other performing arts such as Irish dancers and belly dancers. We have a great lineup of performing arts.”

For those interested, the festival will also feature a literary arts tent, which was very popular at last years’ event.

“Last year we had 17 authors under that tent who did book signings,” Thomley said.

The song writers and music stage will be set up near the water front with numerous artists lined up to perform.

Something new at the festival this year will be representatives from Birmingham’s Sloss Furnaces doing metal arts.

“It is more for children but there will be some opportunities for adults to do some metal working. They are very well known and have the premiere metal arts facility in the South.”

The metal art will be part of the children’s art alley that will include five other tents with hands-on events for the children.

Featured in the glass blowing facility will be Japanese native Tadashi Torri. Inspired by his heritage, nature and the human experience, the Georgia Southwestern graduate has spent the past 19 years creating his own unique collection of art and functional glass pieces.

Working in glass is a study in contrasts and patience is key. Torrii says there is always something to learn and anew challenges to be solved, and he hopes to bridge these concepts for everyone who loves glass.

Thomley said that shuttle buses will be available at several pints to transport to and from the Festival site. For addition information, go to www.obfoa.com <http://www.obfoa.com>  or call 251-981-2787. The OBAC is located at 26389 Canal Road in the Waterfront Park.