GULF BREEZE CELEBRATES THE ARTS FESTIVAL
March 28 9am to 5pm and March 29 9 am to 4pm
The city of Gulf Breeze and Gulf Breeze Arts, Inc. are proud to host the 30th Annual Gulf Breeze Celebrates the Arts Festival, held on March 28 and 29, 2026 at the Community Center on 800 Shoreline Dr in Gulf Breeze, Florida. This two day event is a staple event for the city of Gulf Breeze, which is a beautiful little city located between Pensacola and Pensacola Beach, just a short drive from the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico.
We are excited to host 100+ local, regional and national fine artists, a Local Artists Art Show, a Silent Auction , s Student Art Show and food vendors. We have live artist demonstrations and children activities. We are lined up behind the Orange Beach Arts Festival and the Fairhope Arts Festival, making these three festivals a perfect line up for the month of March.
Gulf Breeze Arts, Inc. prides itself in donating the proceeds of the GBAF to local school art programs to help with supplies and projects as well as an endowed scholarship fund at Pensacola State College. We have also donated to the Band, Drama, Choral and JROTC programs. As of 2025, GBAI has donated over $160,000. We would be unable to do this without the participation of our artists and the community, so thank you for your participation and support.
INDOOR ART SHOW JUDGE
JEFF BASS
Jeff Bass has been painting since age nine and credits his mother--an artist herself--as his most significant influence. At age thirteen, he began receiving instruction in drawing and painting from a Scottish portrait painter and teacher. He sold his first painting—a view of Chesapeake Bay as seen from a family residence--at age fourteen. Before he graduated from high school, he was selling prints of his artwork and working as a professional illustrator. Today, Jeff Bass completes fine art portraits as well as historical works for public collections and museums. His work is represented in the United States Capitol, the Smithsonian Institute, the Central Intelligence Agency, the International Spy Museum, the National World War II Museum and the Reagan Presidential Library, to name a few. He has painted luminaries including President George H. W. Bush, Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Secretary of State George Shultz.
Images of his artworks are licensed to museums and the publishing industry worldwide. His work has also been featured in documentaries, magazines and journals, and on numerous book jackets. His work has appeared in the Smithsonian Magazine, The Times of London, The Washington Post and the Associated Press. Jeff Bass works in the traditional medium of oil, but he also works in aqueous media and holds a signature membership in the National Watercolor Society. In addition to maintaining a busy painting schedule, Jeff Bass teaches drawing and painting
workshops. Jeffbass.comWe host a variety of events throughout the year, including art exhibitions, workshops, and performances. Our events are open to everyone and are a great way to get involved in the arts community.
OUTDOOR ART SHOW JUDGE
FULLER BROWN, Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)
Married in 1974 to Judy Greenlee, a retired U.S. Navy Commander who is now an award-winning Quilter.
Mr. Brown was born in 1945 in Springfield, Mo and traveled all over the world because his father was in the Navy. He graduated from Escambia High School in 1963.
Mr. Brown joined the U.S. Army in 1967. Having studied languages in college he became a German Linguist and was stationed in West Berlin, Germany. While there he had extra duties such as German liaison between German and American theater, Bob Hope Show and set designer for U.S.O. theater. Along with his duties Mr. Brown served as a Boy Scout Master and was awarded the St. John’s Medal of Friendship between German and American Scouts.
1972-1973 Mr. Brown was one of the founding members and on the first board of directors of Quayside Gallery.
Mr. Brown in 1974 earned his B.F.A. from University of West Florida in Art. He was accepted into the “American Painters in Paris France Exhibition” in 1976. He was awarded his Master of Fine Arts in 1980 with his thesis show “Compressed Space Painting” from Memphis State University. While studying there he was the Visual fine arts coordinator/director for the Memphis in May Festival held annually. Worked with Mr. Fred Smith, Federal Express, on concept of a Gallery on wings for local artists.
In 1986 Brown and artist Kim Snyder completed a 16-foot-long relief mural painting for the Prince William County Public Library in Dale City, Va. The mural was one of the first memorials to the seven astronauts who died in the space shuttle Challenger.
In 1996 he was co-director with artist Autry Dye, the first director of the Gulf Breeze Art Show. In 1997 Mr. Brown became the Director of the show until hurricane Ivan hit in 2004. With the help of Gulf Breeze Arts talented members and trust in the concept has made the show a success for 30 years. As the “Sunshine Artist Magazine” article quoted in 1997 out show was a “Diamond in the Ruff”. Who could have said it better? I am proud to have served the arts with Gulf Breeze Arts Inc, and the members, the Local Arts “Quayside Gallery” and the Artists. As an Artist no matter how insignificant I may think I am, with my “Gift on loan from God”, (Rush Limaugh), will give me friends wherever I go in the world.
Since 1971 to present, as an Artist/Teacher he has taught on the University, Junior College, and Community level. As known in the past as the “Rebel” he has been called on to judge State and Local Art Shows. He is not only known for his teaching but also for his talent for drawing, painting and sculpture, winning awards in all three categories.
