A shrimp painting led Birmingham artist Virginia Nelson to an unexpected creation: coastal cowboys.

That series, born from what Nelson describes as a creative breakthrough, will take center stage Oct. 17-18 when the Jubilee Festival of Arts returns to Olde Towne Daphne for its 38th year.

Nelson is the featured artist for the 2026 festival, which will fill the historic streets with more than 120 booths, live entertainment, food, student art and hands-on activities, a news release from the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce said. Admission is free.

“I have always been inspired and drawn to coastal art. Then I was working on a big shrimp painting and felt it needed something else. That is when I invented my coastal cowboys that you see in this painting!” she said in the release.

A Birmingham-based painter, Nelson uses textured acrylics, often applied with palette knives, to blend abstract and realistic elements inspired by coastal ecosystems. Her “Coastal Cowboys” series and other works will be featured at the festival, offering visitors her interpretation of the beauty and character of the natural world.

The festival, presented by the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

For young artists, the High School Art Exhibition, presented by Riviera Utilities, will showcase students from Spanish Fort High School, Daphne High School, Fairhope High School, Bayside Academy, St. Michael’s Catholic High School and Bayshore Christian School, along with home-schooled artists from the Eastern Shore. The exhibition gives students an opportunity to exhibit and compete while fostering artistic growth and highlighting emerging regional talent.

The Jubilee Market, presented by Terry Thompson Chevrolet, will focus on the art of making, with local artisans showcasing crafts, sustainability practices and culinary offerings including honey harvesting, canned jellies, baked treats and farm-fresh produce.

Children can create their own work at the Kids Art Park, presented by OWA Parks & Resort. Free activities will include face painting, jewelry-making, fish printing, freeform art and a sneaky snake craft station. The area will be open during festival hours and is designed for children of all ages.

The Kids Art Park is supported by Ecoview, Blackwell Realty, The Right Hue, Family Security Credit Union, Harvey & Thomas Orthodontics and OWA Parks & Resort.

The festival also will have plenty for sports fans. The Tailgater Area, presented by Red Branch Outdoor Living, Eastern Shore Ace Hardware and Bryant Bank, will feature grill demonstrations and tailgating activities. The Gameday Fan Zone, presented by the Solid Waste Disposal Authority of Baldwin County, will live-stream football games throughout the weekend.

Live music, performances and community gatherings will take place in the Entertainment Area, presented by Coastal Events & Design.

Local artists will be recognized at the Artist Awards Reception, presented by United Community Bank, while the Food Court, presented by United Bank, will offer a variety of local eats and treats.

The festival draws thousands of visitors to Olde Towne Daphne each year and has become a fixture of the city’s cultural calendar, combining art, culture and community in a free event designed to encourage visitors to explore, create and connect.

“We are honored to feature Virginia Nelson’s stunning work and to welcome our community to this vibrant celebration,” said a spokesperson for the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce. “This festival is a testament to the power of art to inspire, unite, and uplift.”

Southern Cancer Center is the festival’s Presenting Sponsor.

Additional sponsors include Diamond Sponsors Tameron Gulf Coast, Daphne Utilities, Netlink Voice and The Brennity; Platinum Sponsors Mobile Bay Now, Grand Hotel Resort & Spa, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Mediacom Business, The Cleaning Authority of Baldwin County and Coastal Alabama Community College; Info Booth sponsor Baldwin County Sewer Service, LLC; and Gold Sponsors Alabama Public Radio, Identity Signs, iHeart Radio, Fairhope Brewing, Bay Images, Hughes Funeral Home, WUWF Radio, Baldwin Gulf Coast Pest Control and Roberts Brothers Inc. Eastern Shore.

The 2026 Jubilee Festival of Arts will be held Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Olde Towne Daphne. Admission is free.

More information is available at www.thejubileefestival.com.