Lead Photo by Alex Lewis

Artist of the Year captures the beauty of nature 

By Wendy O. Dixon

As a child, Sarah Page could easily guess that Santa would leave an art kit of some form or another under the Christmas tree each year. Her parents encouraged her talents from a young age. “I loved drawing and crafting as a kid,” she says. “My dad was artistic so he and I would draw together.”

Sarah grew up in Georgia, just outside Atlanta. She then moved to Santa Rosa Beach in 2003, attending South Walton High School and studying mass communications at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Since taking a leap of faith and leaving her career in non-profit fundraising in 2018 to pursue her artwork full time, she has blossomed as an artist. “The majority of work initially was to paint for clientele,” she says. “I slowly developed my style over the years, and now merge my style with what the client wants.”

A self-described adventure artist, Sarah says, “Adventure calls us to take risks, experience
new things and have fun. Artistry calls us to be refined, apply our skills and express our
personal style. Together, adventure art takes you to a new world of discovery.”

Sarah creates murals, graphics and illustrations inspired by the outdoors and the beauty of nature, using bright, vivid colors. “I want to put joy into whatever I’m making,” she explains. “I want people to feel good when they see it.”

On Oct. 24, Sarah was named the 2024 Artist of the Year by Walton County Tourism. The award honors a local artist of Walton County whose unique artistic expression captures the essence of the region’s renowned creativity and beauty. The tourism initiative highlights local artists, spotlighting their work through diverse publicity channels and events throughout the year. “The recognition is a huge honor,” Sarah says. “It’s a big accomplishment for me and my personal journey as an artist. There were a lot of unknowns when I started on my own, so this is a significant accomplishment.”

Her work is shown in Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach, Watersound Town Center Pavilion, Seaside and downtown DeFuniak Springs. Her mural art, called “Culmination,” is featured at the new Inlet Beach underpass, part of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County Art in Public Spaces program.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Walton County Fairgrounds, Sarah was commissioned to paint a 72-foot wall, depicting a colorful sunset and farm scene to honor the fair’s rich agricultural history. 

Sarah lives in DeFuniak Springs with her fiancé, Phillip Henry, and two children (Linden, 8 months and Hawthorn, 2 and ½ years old). Becoming a mother has given her a new perspective in her life and art. “I’d love to explore the emotions that come with motherhood through therapeutic art,” she says. “I’ve been pregnant twice while climbing ladders to paint big walls. I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices women have to make when they want to start a family. Everything – your career, your body, your time, your mental well-being, your relationships – are put on trial when you become a mother.”

As she juggles being a mom of little ones with running her own art business, she lets her love for adventure guide her toward her goals. “I love my job and don’t want to give it up, and I also want to be a mom. I’m learning how to balance both.”

Public art serves a special purpose for a town, which is important to Sarah. “Art doesn’t have to be for a privileged few,” she says. “Art is for everybody.”

Follow Sarah Page on Instagram. See more of her art and inquire about her services on her website, SarahPageArt.com.