Color, Creativity, and a Coastal Muse: Introducing the 2026 Barefoot Mardi Gras Artist

October 22, 2025

Every great celebration starts with color—and nothing says color like Mardi Gras! From the shimmer of beads tossed beneath a bright coastal sky to the rhythm of laughter carried on the breeze, Barefoot Mardi Gras is the Island’s way of adding its own splash of sand and sunshine to a time-honored tradition. It’s a day where the beach becomes Bourbon Street, where golf carts turn into floats, and where every wave seems to dance along with the music.

For locals and visitors alike, Barefoot Mardi Gras is more than a parade—it’s a community celebration of life on the Island. It’s about coming together, rain or shine, to honor the things we love most: our people, our creativity, and our coastal spirit.

And this year, the creative spark behind that celebration belongs to a local artist whose work radiates with it.

Melissa Mitchell in collaboration with the Padre Island Business Association is proud to announce that Kaleigh Glover has been selected as the Official Artist for Barefoot Mardi Gras 2026. Known for her vibrant murals, playful Birds on Blocks series, and richly layered coastal paintings, Kaleigh brings a style that’s as full of movement and joy as the event itself.

Artist, Kaleigh Glover

The Artist Behind the Brush

If you’ve ever driven through Port Aransas or downtown Corpus Christi, you’ve likely already met Kaleigh’s work—though maybe not her name. Her murals seem to hum with color and life: oversized tropical blooms, swirling waves, playful birds mid-flight or mid-laugh. There’s a kind of personality to her art—an ability to make the ordinary extraordinary.

A Corpus Christi native and Texas A&M–Corpus Christi graduate, Kaleigh’s fascination with the creatures and colors of the coast runs deep. “I’m inspired by what’s around me… birds, boats, beaches—everything has a story.” Her art brings that story forward, layering color, texture, and imagination into something distinctly her own.

Wall Mural by Kaleigh Glover

Her paintings often blur the line between realism and whimsy. In her Birds on Blocks series, seabirds surf, fish, and drive classic cars under palm-lined skies—a playful nod to the humor and heart of coastal living. In her murals, sweeping brushstrokes transform blank walls into living canvases of tropical wonder.

And just like the coast itself, her art never stands still.

One of many in the Birds on Blocks series by Kaleigh Glover

Kaleigh doesn’t just paint—she creates connection. Through her business, The Art Project, LLC, she’s guided workshops, collaborated with local businesses, and brought public art to life across the region. From the Executive Surf Club’s colorful walls to Farley Boats in Port Aransas, her work has become part of the visual heartbeat of the Coastal Bend.

She’s also helped other artists find their footing, organizing and installing group shows for Nueces Brewing Co. and mentoring new creators along the way. Her passion for collaboration mirrors the very spirit of Barefoot Mardi Gras—joyful, inclusive, and full of movement.

A Collaboration Rooted in Creativity

Each year, Barefoot Mardi Gras partners with Melissa Mitchell to coordinate and spotlight a local artist whose work embodies the fun, freedom, and flair of Island life. Together, the organizations celebrate what makes our community shine: creativity, collaboration, and a shared love of the coast.

Kaleigh’s official theme for 2026 is still under wraps (and tightly guarded), but we can tell you this—it will be in her signature voice and distinctly Island-inspired. Expect energy. Expect color. And expect something that feels uniquely Barefoot Mardi Gras.

Last year’s limited-edition art collaboration with M. Kelly Olsen set the bar high—introducing a tradition that marries art, celebration, and philanthropy. This year’s partnership with Kaleigh continues that story, adding her own brush of humor, imagination, and heart to the magic of Barefoot Mardi Gras.

The Big Reveal event is set for November, when the artwork will be unveiled in partnership with the Padre Island Business Association. As with last year, limited-edition prints will be hand-signed, numbered, and available for collectors, with the original artwork auctioned to benefit local charities supported by Barefoot Mardi Gras.

The excitement is already building. Until then, we’ll all just have to imagine what she’s dreamed up this time. But if her past work is any hint, it’s sure to make waves.

The Art of Island Life will return next week with more stories and inspiration from our coastal community. Have a story to share or an upcoming event? Reach out to me at contact@melissamitchellart.com.

Pssst...

We’re stepping away from the traditional… the expected— and into something brand new.

Something more personal.

Something better.

Reimagining takes courage—and a little bit of chaos.

The sketches, the samples, the “what-ifs”—they’re all part of creating something meaningful.—Melissa, Padre Island Art Gallery

✨ Stay tuned — a fresh chapter is taking shape.