The Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival Student mural Contest has been part of the festival since 2007. Until 2025 student artists from Eastern Shore middle and high schools participated in the mural contest by working with other students at their school to create an original work of art inspired by the Festival theme of the year. In 2024 there was a twist on the Festival theme and students were asked to create art in memory of Jimmy Buffet who passed away the year before.
After the Artist’s Dinner on Friday night where the festival vendors had the opportunity to vote for their favorite student murals, they have been displayed at Fairhope Chocolate on 403 Fairhope Avenue in Fairhope,
Normally the story ends there. Once the new student art winners are selected, the murals return to the schools. But not in this time. Lucy Buffett, Jimmy Buffett's sister, reached out on behalf of the National Maritime Museum in Mobile. A museum worker noticed the murals while visiting Fairhope Chocolate.
The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, docked on the Mobile River, is developing an immersive, 5,000-square-foot exhibit celebrating Buffett’s seafaring heritage and legendary island sound.
Slated to open in September 2026, the exhibit will bring Buffett’s story full circle, back to the waters where his grandfather once sailed and where his parents built a life on the waterfront.
Seeing the eight 2024 student murals and the 2011 Fairhope High first place Buffett piece, the museum thought they would be great to be used as artwork for the next 2 years to promote the September 2026 Buffett Experience exhibit.
We are very excited about this opportunity. Kudos to all the students who contributed and their teachers!!!
2024 Student Art
Bayshore Christian School
"Flowers of Fairhope Honoring Jimmy Buffett"
Artists: Eighth Grade Art Classes
Teacher: Susan Dorsey, Upper School Art Teacher
The warmth of spring brings to mind our sweet town filled with flowers and the annual Arts and Crafts Festival. Our hearts are heavy with the passing of Jimmy Buffett. His songs bring to mind time spent by the
water, flip flops and relaxing with friends. A recreation of his airplane flies over the flowers. In the middle of the fence, a student painted a cheeseburger for the son of a son of a sailor. Jimmy Buffett, you will be missed.
Bayside Academy
"Sailing into Cheeseburger Paradise"
To represent this year's theme of "Fairhope in Bloom: Honoring Jimmy
Buffet", the Bayside Academy Art Guild Guild co-presidents imagined a
vibrant beach scene peppered with references to Jimmy Buffett's iconic
lyrics.
With a blown-out flip-flow, a lost shaker of salt,
and a sea-weathered signpost pointing the way to Margaritaville, our
board pas homage to the incredible life and career of Jimmy Buffett, as he sails of into eternal summer.
After blocking out the composition, we used acrylic paint to render the scene, limiting ourselves to a palette of saturated, high-contract colors. We employed elements of collage to add texture and dimension, and applied gold foil to highlight the glowing cheeseburger sunset. Finally, we covered the beach in lyrics from "Cheeseburger in Paradise" and wrote the lyrics from "Bubbles Up", Jimmy Buffett's last recorded song, across the sky. We hope our project appeals to Parrotheads and non-fans alike, and all feel the joy that bubbles up.
Daphne High School - Honorable Mention
"Jimmy Buffett in Paradise"
Artists: Molly Allen, Olivia Powe, Amya McCollough, and Reese Dube
Teacher: Carrie Pigage
Student Teacher: Kenzie Acton
Art Students created this painting to demonstrate the strong but laid-back feeling that connects Jimmy Buffett to Fairhope. The famous singer-songwriter and entrepreneur has deep appreciation for our coastal town and has been for many years. Jimmy Buffett included mentions of Fairhope in his music.
In this painting, the students used cool colors that contrasted the warmness that they felt portrayed Jimmy Buffett when he spent his days hanging out in Fairhope on his boat.
Jimmy Buffett will always be linked to Fairhope because of the support he had for the local economy and community. Many businesses in town, including restaurants, and shops have become popular destinations for tourists because of the influence he brought to this area. He loved to just show up and perform for the locals. Jimmy Buffett loved Fairhope and Fairhope is proud to have had such a legendary figure be part of its vibrant and unique culture.
Daphne Middle School - 1st Place
"Fairhope in Bloom Honoring Jimmy Buffet"
Artists: Martina Venegas, Linda Rodriguez, Brayln Elliot, Ashlyn Lynch
Teacher: Mrs. Sherry Bittinger
We started by creating a word bubble listing many descriptive words for Jimmy Buffett. Those words turned into rough drafts, and we refined those into the final. A lot was learned by our group during this creative journey! Our goal was to have a variety of references as the viewer moved their eyes through the painting. We wanted the mural to be a bright, colorful, and whimsical tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett!
Fairhope High School - 2nd Place
"Fairhope In Bloom Honoring Jimmy Buffett"
Artists, Grades 10 – 12:
Mason Allen, Marlee Calhoun, Bridget Capella,
Claudia Catar, Yamil Cintron-Cruz, Kinsley Frego,
Olivia Gates, Myiah Goines, Bryan Hallford,
CB Huckleberry, Aidan Pipkin, Christy Torres,
Piercy Tran
Teacher: Mrs. Sarah Bell
Jimmy Buffett’s laid-back approach to life is iconic among his multitude of fans. Parrotheads all over the world filled stadiums and arenas to escape the tediousness of life and embrace his carefree spirit.
The students at Fairhope High School designed this work of art to emulate that same carefree spirit that endeared him to so many fans. Students chose tropical flowers to represent his laid-back, island lifestyle. The bright colors they selected for this piece reflect his vivid personality. Students felt this specific image of Jimmy playing his guitar with his charismatic smile would capture his persona and resonate with Parrotheads all over.
A group of students collaborated on this mural, drawing on each other’s talents. Certain students worked on blocking in colors, others painted flowers, and some concentrated on Jimmy Buffett himself. It is not an easy thing for so many individuals to work together to create such a beautiful piece and capture such an icon. It takes patience, kindness, constructive criticism, and a teachable heart. The result of this collaborative effort captures the essence of Jimmy Buffett and his musical style.
Fairhope Middle School
"Jimmy Buffett"
Artists: Elyana Scardamalia, Olivia Fonseca, Scarlet Dosher, Koli Arant
Teacher: Shawn Johnson
This
painting was inspired mostly by the theme from this year which was
Flowers and Jimmy Buffett. The students portrayed Jimmy as he performs
surrounded by flowers that symbolize the free natural feeling of the
island
Spanish Fort High School - Honorable Mention
“Jimmy Buffett’s Fairhope in Bloom”
Artists:
Rob McFadden, Alex Longoria, Thorn Haley, Piers Smith, and Peyton Brown
Teacher:
April Jones
Fairhope, Alabama is indeed a charming town known for its beautiful flowers, particularly during the springtime when the state flower, the Camellia and other blossoms paint the landscape. Picture strolling along the shores of Mobile Bay, where the sun begins its descent, casting a golden glow over the tranquil waters.
Nearby, at a waterfront venue reminiscent of Jimmy Buffett's laid-back island vibes, you might hear the strumming of a guitar and the sound of someone singing a familiar tune. Pelicans glide gracefully overhead, while cattails sway gently by the water's edge, adding to the picturesque setting. It's a scene that captures the essence of Fairhope's unique blend of nature, art, and music.
Whether you're enjoying the festivities of the Arts and Crafts Festival or simply taking in the natural beauty of the area, Fairhope offers a serene setting that feels like a slice of paradise—a perfect backdrop for a bit of Margaritaville inspired relaxation.
St. Michael Catholic High School - 3rd Place
"Greetings from Jimmy Buffett"
Artists: Katy Ford, Caitlyn Farrar, Molly Hehon, Jackie, Holyfield, and Phoebe Cisneros
Teacher: Ms. Skoti Newsum
Inspiration: Postcard
Description: Postcard of Jimmy Buffet at the beach