Local Art Here

Best friends Autumn Johnson and Kasey Caldwell co-worked for years selling their respective artwork out of co-op shops. But they never anticipated graduating their work relationship to co-owners.  

“We’re like soulmates,” Johnson says. “We know each other very well, so that helps.” 

The duo first met in Nashville, while working at an artist co-op and later followed each other to the Emerald Coast. For four years, Caldwell and Johnson sold their work out of the Artists at Gulf Place shacks at the Gulf Place Towne Center in Santa Rosa Beach.  

Originally founded by artist Dwight Ward, Artists at Gulf Place was known in the community as a happening art hub.  

“People would come and say, ‘How do I get in here?’” Johnson says, “because it was an honor to be one of the artists. There were only eight shacks.” 

Photos by Jen Deeb

Locals, tourists, and part-time residents returned regularly to shop one-of-a-kind art, unique souvenirs, and eclectic jewelry. And recurring workshops, live music, and events drew large crowds.  

But in the early months of 2024, uncertainty swept Gulf Place, from the artist district to the surrounding eateries and local shops located at the town center.  

A new buyer had come in—the corporation behind the big-box tourist shop Alvin’s Island. 

While previous buyers had adopted existing leases, Alvin’s Island had other plans. Under the new ownership, Gulf Place businesses were displaced as leases expired. 

“Yolo Board + Bike, the 30A Local, Soho, the coffee shop, everyone—we just watched it happen,” Johnson recalls.  

Around the time of the buyout, founder Ward suffered a stroke and was unable to fight for his lease and his artists. Ward’s family tried to no avail.  

“We thought maybe they’ll keep us because we’re not in the building that they want to put their store in,” Johnson says. “The whole time, they wouldn’t talk to us or answer the question, ‘Are you going to renew us?’”  

Photos by Jen Deeb

Pretty soon, the Artists at Gulf Place was all that was left.  

Johnson and Caldwell formed a plan—new business, same concept—and the two began searching for a new storefront that the soon-to-be-displaced artists could call home.  

“It was kind of up to us, if anyone wanted to pursue, to continue what we had built,” Johnson says.  

An open retail space came up at the Mystic Porte shopping plaza in Grayton Beach, and they jumped on it. Johnson and Caldwell chose the name “Shacks” as an homage to Ward’s artist shacks at Gulf Place. The new storefront at Mystic Porte opened in March 2024.  

“We’ve mirrored that business profile over here as far as local artists, co-op, the workshops, the events, and the Wine Walk,” Johnson says.  

While starting up their new business, Artists at Gulf Place was still riding out its lease. Johnson and Caldwell juggled both, utilizing the opportunity to share the news with as many customers as they could reach.  

“We’re still trying to let them all know where we are,” Johnson says. “It is heartwarming when they find us over here.” 

In September 2024, Artists at Gulf Place hosted a final Wine Walk, their signature monthly event. Artists, friends, family, locals, and returning visitors gathered to celebrate the end of an era.  

“We did the Wine Walk over there for probably 20 years,” Johnson says. “That was always so much fun; it was a hit. So of course we brought it here.”  

The Wine Walk didn’t miss a beat. Shacks hosted its first Wine Walk in October 2024 and continues to host the event on the third Thursday of every month.  

Photos by Jen Deeb

Beyond keeping Ward’s vision alive, Shacks’ large retail space has allowed Johnson and Caldwell to expand the concept, opening the door to more than 60 local artists.  

“We’ve been in the business all our lives just about,” Johnson says. “I’ve had stores in Nashville, and she’s been doing art shows forever, so we had a knack for what would work and what people are buying. Plus, Gulf Place taught us so much.” 

In March 2025, Shacks hosted its first annual arts festival, celebrating a successful first year.  

“The main thing going forward is just growing the business of people coming through our door and letting everyone that adored Gulf Place know that we’re here and that the workshops are here,” Johnson says.  

“It’s local art—it’s what you’re looking for.”