My children love to make art projects so when we had to change plans due to weather, they came up with the perfect solution…make our own souvenirs! We found the most charming artist studio in Perdido Key called Artworks Studio and Gallery. The walls were absolutely covered with inspiring works of art created by local artists. The owner, Talis Jayme, and her grandson welcomed us into the studio and let us choose a painting project.
They had a huge collection of ceramic shells, sand dollars and other creatures native to Florida, such as alligators. Talis gave each child a palette for their paint and taught them how to mix the colors to create more variety. Talis was very patient with the kids and her soft spoken, Southern demeanor made the whole experience so relaxing. A variety of art classes are offered for children and adults and you don’t need any prior experience…that was good for me!
We had a lot of fun chatting with Talis and her grandson while we painted. They told us about Perdido Key and the Pensacola area. One little fun fact is Perdido means “lost” in Spanish. Well, it’s easy to get lost in the beauty of the area. It seemed calmer in Perdido Key, a slower pace, and it almost felt like we stepped back in time a little bit. Vacations can get over scheduled if you aren’t careful, so slow down when you can and enjoy each other’s company.
We came across a children’s book sitting on the counter in the studio. It is called “The Stay-at-Home Dad’s Quotes & Anecdotes” by Heath Byers. As it turned out, Talis created the cover for the book and her son is the author! Talent seems to run in this family!
After we finished the segment shoot, Talis gave the crew the chance to make a souvenir of their own. Our audio engineer Farley got right to painting. We have the BEST CREW EVER and love how much they appreciate the people we meet and the things we learn when we travel.
Some Additional Tips & Fun Facts
• Make reservations for classes online or by phone (850) 261-9617
• Big Lagoon State Recreation Area is close by and offers a huge variety of activities
• 60 percent of Perdido Key is made up of federal or state parks
• Average annual temperature is 75 degrees
• Bridges link Perdido Key to the Florida mainland and to neighboring Alabama.
• Artworks Studio & Gallery is located at Villagio Mall on Perdido Key.
