Historic Panama City Gallery Hosts Inaugural Art Competition

Panama City, FL – On November 9th, the Gallery of Art 850 welcomes you to attend the first invitational art competition and exhibition that has been held in our historic art space in decades. Art to the Max has called for the works of contemporary visual artists from 16 counties in Northwest Florida to come together and carry on a legacy of fine arts in our community. A reception and awards ceremony for this beautiful event will be held on Thursday, November 9th from 6-9 pm at the gallery with awards for top competitors delivered at 7:30 pm.

All awards will be judged by two respected art professionals from Tallahassee, FL. Stephen Bennett Smith and Heather Fleming. Artists will be awarded for Best in Show, 2nd place, 3rd place, merit, rising star and honorable mentions.

Art to the Max is named in honor of Maxwell Reynolds Miller, a Panama City native and great supporter of the arts. His mother, Mary Ola Miller, founded the Gallery of Art in 1966.  She operated the gallery for 45 years until her passing in 2011. Maxwell continued her legacy as an artist himself and by lending his talents and dedication to many local artists, musicians and galleries in our area. This exhibition is dedicated to his tireless efforts and his lasting memory in our community.

During the event, guests will enjoy fine art in traditional media including painting, drawing, sculpture, collage & assemblage. Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served. Sponsors of the event are Starlett Miller Massey, Casa Loma Waterfront Hotel and Massey Law Group, PA.

The awards reception for this event is open to participating artists, their guests and the press. Following the reception, the free exhibit will remain installed and open to the public until January 12, 2024. For additional details please contact Kim Griffin-White or Mark White at the Gallery of Art 36 W. Beach Drive, Panama City. Call 850-257-5568 / email: GalleryofArt850@gmail.com

About the Gallery of Art on Beach Drive

Originally opened in 1966 by Mary Ola Miller in an abandoned gas station, The Gallery of Art holds the distinction of being the first art gallery located in Bay County, FL and the surrounding areas. Mary Ola realized long ago that there was a thriving and valuable visual art community in Northwest Florida but there was no space for local artists to exhibit their work year round. Under the new ownership of Dr. Mark White and Kim Griffin-White, the gallery has continued to develop the Panama City arts district and hold true to Mary Ola’s endeavors. The Gallery welcomes artists from varied and diverse backgrounds and mediums to exhibit and make a living doing what they do best: making art and enhancing our beautiful city. The gallery regularly rotates the art exhibits, sells and shows fine art.