Leading International Competition Celebrates Collaboration of Design + Art in Public Spaces
SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL (Sept. 7, 2023) – The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) in partnership with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) is proud to announce that the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA) recently received the 2023 CODAaward for Collaboration of the Year!
CODA awards: Collaboration of Design + Art recognizes outstanding projects that integrate commissioned art into interior, architectural, or public spaces. The 11th annual international design competition recently announced winners across 10 categories, as well as 2 People’s Choice Award winners and a new Collaboration Award. This year’s 411 submissions came from 24 countries around the globe, celebrating innovation and artistic excellence.
This year, a new award was added for the first time. Titled the Collaboration of the Year Award, this honor goes to the project that demonstrates the importance of the collaborative process among creative teams, commissioners, and industry resources. Toni Sikes, CEO of CODAworx states that “The Collaboration of the Year Award recognizes the collective imagination of many professionals who work together to create spaces that are transformed through artwork. The end result is pure magic.” Information on the 2023 CODA awards is available on CODAworx.com.
The Seed & The Sea by Davide Galbiati (Valreas, France)
“The experience of swimming through the Underwater Museum, seeing all these amazing works of art and the thriving marine ecosystem they’ve become, is truly inspirational. But what’s left the deepest impression is the collective passion, creativity, determination, and teamwork that have built the UMA since the start,” said SWARA President Walt Hartley. “SWARA is proud and grateful to work in partnership with the CAA, our community, and our supporters to Create Living Reefs for Generations. The CODAworx ‘Collaboration of the Year’ award is a true honor, and a real testament to the UMA’s continued growth and success. Credit is also due to the tremendous marine life populating the UMA site — even underwater, the collaboration continues!”
Arc of Nexus by Tina Piracci (Richmond, CA)
Named by TIME Magazine as one of 100 of the “World’s Greatest Places”, the UMA is the first and only permanent underwater sculpture museum in the United States and is located in Northwest Florida, less than one mile off the coast of Grayton Beach State Park in Walton County, Florida.
The UMA has been featured in online and print publications including National Geographic, Lonely Planet, Travel & Leisure, Newsweek, The New York Times, and more. Part of the CAA’s Art In Public Spaces program, the UMA also augments SWARA’s mission of creating marine habitat and expanding fishery populations while providing enhanced cultural, economic and educational opportunities for the benefit, education, and enjoyment of Walton County residents, including students and visitors. The project is supported by Visit South Walton, the Florida Division of Arts and Culture, the National Endowment for the Arts, Visit Florida, and The Alys Foundation.
The UMA is produced in conjunction with SWARA’s existing USACOE and FDEP permitted artificial reef project that includes nine nearshore reefs located within one nautical mile of the shore in approximately 58 feet of water. The first phase of the UMA project included seven pieces of sculpture installed in June 2018 and the fifth installation occurred in July 2023, bringing the total number of UMA sculptures to 40.
Learn more about the project, see photos and video of the previous installations at UMAFL.org.
Pirate Shipwreck by Sean Coffey (Pittsburgh, PA)
ABOUT THE CULTURAL ARTS ALLIANCE OF WALTON COUNTY
As the creative core of Walton County for more than 30 years, the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County offers support, connection and access opportunities for all forms of art, every variety of maker, all levels of learners, and especially, art lovers. Through sponsorship, performance, and educational programs, the 501(c)(3) organization directly connects the people of Walton County with the broader view, the critical exploration, and the answers only the Arts have the power to provide. For more information, visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com.
ABOUT SWARA
SWARA is a grass-roots, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to permitting, funding, deployment, and monitoring of artificial reefs in the gulf coastal waters of South Walton County Florida for the benefit and health of the environment and community. To join SWARA in making a difference, visit SwaraReefs.org.
ABOUT CODAworx
CODAworx is on a mission to demonstrate the power of public art to change the world. As the public art industry leader, we provide creative professionals a platform to showcase their work, connect, and find opportunities. Powered by a database showcasing thousands of projects with a collective budget of over $4 billion dollars, CODAworx leverages live events, awards programs, publications, data, and digital tools to empower public art in the experience economy.
