Every year, The Kelly holds our “Art Gone Wild” art exhibition, showcasing the truly beautiful wildlife art of our region. The Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival is an annual one-day festival celebrating wildlife art as well as the natural beauty of Alabama. Art appreciators and outdoor enthusiasts alike gather together for this festival. We strive every year to pack this festival full of educational presentations, art exhibits and classes, vendors, food, children’s activities, and expert demonstrations.

The Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival is held on a Saturday every fall in the Historic Downtown Wetumpka.

Join Us in the City of Natural Beauty for Alabama's Premiere Wildlife Art Festival.

Festival Offerings:

This 2025 year, join us for entertaining activities and workshops all throughout the beautiful downtown Wetumpka. Explore the upcoming offerings, celebrating our Southeastern wildlife and the great outdoors.

DockDogs Competition:

DockDogs is the fastest growing sport on 4 legs. DockDogs is a organization created in 2000, and their open competitions allow “anyone with a dog and toy” to participate in the sport and have a chance at national recognition. DockDogs will be competing throughout the festival in three categories:

Big Air
Extreme Vertical, and
Speed Retrieve

Live Painting:

featuring Dirk Walker, Jared Knox, Vaughan Spanjer, Sue Key & Bucky Bowles

Sporting Dog Demonstrations with Covey Flush

Christopher Loizou started Covey Flush Kennels with his first cocker in 1996. Christopher concentrated on dogs with superior field trial pedigrees in an effort to bring the British legacy of fine gun dogs to the USA while striving to improve the breed.

Sporting Dog Demonstrations With Artemis Run Kennel

Sporting Dog Demonstrations
with Golbeck Gundogs

Goldbeck Gundogs is dedicated to the breeding and training of top quality English Cocker Spaniels of the finest genetics from the United Kingdom.

Birds of Prey Demonstration with Raptor's Ridge Wildlife Education

Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education is an interactive outreach program focusing on the vital role raptors play in the natural world. We strive to teach the importance of environmental stewardship and develop a passion for protecting our natural resources.

Fly Fishing Casting Lessons with Montevallo Fishing Team

Have young or aspiring anglers? Let your young ones (or even yourself!) get casting lessons from members of the four-time national championship bass fishing team from the University of Montevallo. All youth participants will walk away with a brand new Zebco rod and reel with lures!

Animal Encounters with Alabama Wildlife Federation

The Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) is the oldest and largest non-profit conservation organization in Alabama. The AWF was established by sportsmen in 1935 to promote the conservation and wise use of our wildlife and natural resources and to ensure a high quality of life for future generations of Alabamians.

Competition Winners Announcement with The Kelly

Everyone has been on the edge of their seats to see who the winner of this year’s Alabama Wildlife Fine Art Competition is–and it’s time to finally find out! Join us at the main stage at 9:00am for the reveal of 2025’s winners, including the $12,000 grand prize winner!

Puppy Painting with For Healthy Pets

Love art? Love puppies? Then your heart will absolutely melt watching puppies play on canvases with animal-safe paints!  Come watch—and maybe even take home a puppy painting or even a puppy.

Backyard Chickens with Solo Farm

Who wouldn’t want to own a bunch of cute chicks? Fortunately for everyone, Solo Farm will be holding a talk “Birds of a Feather”, where he will explain how to raise and care for backyard chicks and chickens!

Music Gone Wild
Listen With Your Heart

Art is beauty for the eyes. 
Music is beauty for the ears.
Both nourish the soul.

River Dan:

Born in Montgomery, Alabama playing the banjo first (the precursor to a wide variety of other stringed and percussion instruments that he can pick up and melt with his hands), River Dan has always embraced the warm comfort of southern appeal in his personality and most importantly in his music. He writes about the trials and tribulations of the life of a simple man, blondes, and being a rambler.

Joe Hare:

Local musician, Joe Hare, will paint the air with six strings and his soulful voice. He’s sure to lift your spirit and tap your foot with his feel-good tunes!

Workshops Gone Wild
Spice Up Your WEWA Experience

Join in on these special events and workshops leading up to and during the WEWA Festivities!

1:00pm - 4:00pm: Quilting Workshop with Gee's Bend Quilters - $100

This three-hour workshop (1:00pm – 4:00pm) will teach participants the basics of quilting from start to finish—with a 12×12 quilt you create to show for it!  Join us at Coaches’ Corner for this rare opportunity to learn from the renowned Gee’s Bend Quilters!

Maximum class size of 30 – Supplies included.

Sign Up Here

10:00am - 1:00pm: Basket Making with Kudzu Mama - $85

Students will make a free form basket made from whole and split kudzu vines. Some other locally harvested vines/flexible branches may be included for variety. All materials will be provided. Just bring your sense of adventure and creativity.

Maximum class size of 8 – Supplies included

Sign Up Here