Perfect takes on many shapes and sizes. From cocktails, events and locally owned boutiques to restaurants, small shops, and outdoor adventures, perfect is a feeling that resonates in your heart. 

Perfect is also a place, embodied by the diversity of the destination that is Walton County -- from South Walton’s 16 beach neighborhoods with sugar white sand and turquoise water to the incredible historic treasures and pastoral landscapes beyond the Choctawhatchee Bay. But the heart of our Walton County communities are the people, places, and activities we celebrate.

Things to do in South Walton

For our creative's question in this issue, we asked VIE contributors if they could imagine a world without art. Not shockingly, the responses settled on a profound distaste for such a reality. This art issue is particularly poignant, as the current state of affairs can make it challenging to communicate with words — and that's where the arts come in. Gifted creatives share their perspectives on loss, love, beauty, and connection through various mediums in this visual treat of an issue. Stunningly, in the feature story, fine artist Chandler Williams profoundly communicates the matter of protecting the planet through his new collection, which expounds on pollution. Ultimately, no matter the subjects, all of the stories in this issue contain an element of optimism. It brings the realization that art is optimism. So thankfully, it's hard to imagine a world without it. 

Over two years of hard work, dedication, and collaboration come to a grand finale as we unveil the gorgeous 4,800-square-foot masterpiece, The Heritage – A VIE Legacy Show Home. This custom residence in the private enclave of Heritage Dunes lies just steps from the shimmering Gulf of Mexico in Seagrove Beach, Florida. It is the first of nine homes in the neighborhood being developed by Bella Mare Real Estate Holdings, designed by Gerald F. Burwell of Burwell Associates and Duce May of Duce & Company Interiors, and built by Grand Bay Construction.

As one of South Walton’s creative entrepreneur pioneers, few photographers are more prolific than Chandler Williams. One of the things that’s so inspiring about Chandler is his refusal to stay comfortable in his craft. He’s always pushing his boundaries and testing his limits, which is essential to leveling up in the world of high-end fine art photography.  In this episode, we dive deep into Chandler’s history, craft, and methods as both an entrepreneur and as an artist.

On this episode of VIE Speaks: Conversations with Heart & Soul podcast, host Lisa Marie Burwell, VIE’s CEO/editor-in-chief, invites Chandler Williams, artist and creative, to share about his passion for photography and local business, Modus Photography. Chandler shares how his passion for film and photography began while he was in high school and has since evolved into a full-time career, most recently developing a new, state-of-the-art collaborative studio space. He shares his experiences documenting the world through his camera lens, shooting everything from landscapes to architecture, and explains why he currently focuses many of his works on environmental activism (his film, the Paper Bear (coming late 2022), specifically focuses on highlighting Florida’s biodiversity and wildlife preservation). Chandler was also named 2021 South Walton Artist of the Year. He encourages listeners to relentlessly pursue their passions, and hopes that his story will serve to empower others to live a creativity-focused and inspired lifestyle.

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CAA Announces 2021 ArtsQuest Featured Artist

ArtsQuest, the 33rd annual fine arts festival produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA), is pleased to announce the 2021 Festival’s Featured Artist, Chandler Williams. Chandler was also recently named Visit South Walton’s 2021 Artist of the Year and is the owner of Modus Photography and Modus Gallery in Grayton Beach, Fla.

"There's tons of sacrifices that need to be made to grow personally, sacrifices to grow professionally, & to grow the business." Page 44-45