SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. – Local artist Jonah Allen will open his first gallery and studio, located at 416 S Co Hwy 393 in Santa Rosa Beach, on Wednesday, March 10 with a grand opening celebration from 5-8 p.m.
Allen, 27, specializes in large-scale photographic art that focuses on the dynamic relationship between water and light. He has been creating his own images for over a decade since he was in his teens. He first picked up a camera when he was 14 years old and hasn’t put one down since.
Allen began his career directly after college and has been represented by galleries in the southeast, including the Gardner Colby Gallery in Naples, Fla. and the Windsor Fine Art in New Orleans, La.
His work ranges in price from $1,000- $17,000 and has been featured in VIE Magazine, Northwest Florida Daily News, Luxury Travel Magazine, Memphis Magazine, 30A.com, Sotheby’s, and in Alys Beach’s Digital Graffiti where he received special recognition. His work was also recently acquired by Alys Beach for their new Beach Club.
After traveling the world and surfing in some of the most picturesque locations around the globe, Allen relocated to the Emerald Coast in 2017. During his time abroad, Allen says he learned about the different ways water was used and misused around the world by different types of people. This then led him to consider what was happening to the water in the Gulf of Mexico and more specifically Walton County.
Through this curiosity, Allen began using aerial photography to explore different perspectives and to challenge the viewer to look at water in a new, unexpected way.
“On the surface, my collections are based on the allure of water,” Allen said. “Yet, on a deeper level, the images aim to inspire a deep respect for the Earth’s waterways.”
Allen’s mystical artwork is something that has to be seen in person. This inspired him to create his own gallery and studio space in order to make a greater impact to the viewer and so that they can fully encapsulate his vision.
“My work is all large-scale which enables the viewer to experience the same emotions I feel when I’m out in the ocean making the images,” Allen said. “It’s all about creating an experience.”
The new 1,500 square foot space will be open to the public with a grand opening celebration on March 10 from 5-8 p.m. Beachy Blooms and Showtime Events will transform the gallery into a stunning event space. Community members are invited to meet Allen, enjoy light bites from Blue Mountain Bakery and Clean Juice, refreshments by Distillery 98, Idyll Hounds Brewing Company, Noli South, and Hey Mama Wines, along with music by DJ Dad.
Step One Automotive Group will also be in attendance showcasing their luxury cars from Maserati. Guests are encouraged to wear facial coverings and maintain proper social distance from one another in order to keep a safe and healthy environment for everyone in attendance. To RSVP, visit https://blog.jonahallen.com/event-rsvp/.
Two of Allen’s pieces of artwork will be auctioned off at the event with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance and a friend of Allen’s who has been in the hospital after suffering an unexpected surfing accident. A percentage of artwork sold that evening will also benefit both of these beneficiaries. Everyone who attends will be entered to win a grand prize experience with Allen, including a helicopter ride, that evening.
“My goal is for this studio and gallery to be an intimate experience for people,” Allen said. “I want to share these incredible moments I have experienced out in the Gulf of Mexico. My artwork will allow some people to experience the water in ways that they will never experience in their lifetimes, even natives of Walton County.”
The studio will be open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. To book an appointment with Allen, visit https://calendly.com/jonah-allen-studio.
