Creativity has never occupied just one corner of Tara McMeans’ life.
This year, McMeans and her team celebrate the 20th anniversary of Design Print
Promote, the creative marketing agency she founded to help businesses connect with
their audience. Over two decades, the company has supported clients through
branding, design, printing, promotional products and marketing strategy. For McMeans,
the work is about more than creating attractive materials. It is about helping local
businesses tell their stories, reach the right people and grow with confidence.
Her story is entering a memorable chapter in 2026. McMeans was selected as the
official poster artist for the 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival, held October 8–11 in
Gulf Shores. It is the second time her artwork has been chosen for the festival’s official
poster and merchandise, placing her among a small group of artists to receive the honor
more than once. She will be signing posters during the festival on Saturday, October 10,
and encourages collectors to purchase theirs early. The last time her artwork was
featured as the official Shrimp Festival poster in 2022, all posters sold out by 1 p.m. on
Saturday.
The recognition brings several parts of McMeans’ world together: Gulf Coast culture,
visual storytelling, community celebration and entrepreneurship. Her festival artwork will
be seen throughout one of the region’s largest traditions, but her creative presence at
the event will extend beyond the official poster.
McMeans will also host a festival booth featuring Saltwater heALs, the lifestyle brand
she launched in 2020 amid the uncertainty of the pandemic and the destruction left by
Hurricane Sally. The brand began as a way to combine her original artwork with a
commitment to giving back. Each design starts with one of her own pieces, and a
portion of proceeds supports local nonprofit organizations.
The idea behind Saltwater heALs is simple but meaningful: people can purchase
apparel they enjoy while supporting work that improves the place they call home. The
capitalized “AL” reflects the brand’s Alabama roots, while its coastal designs celebrate
the water, wildlife and lifestyle that make the Gulf Coast distinctive.
McMeans’ professional responsibilities have also expanded through Tacky Jacks, where
she stepped into the role of marketing director earlier this year. The position is a natural progression after more than 13 years working with the waterfront restaurant company
as its “Director of Fun.” During that time, she helped develop marketing campaigns,
special events, entertainment and community engagement across its locations.
Whether she is developing a campaign, creating art or planning an event, McMeans
brings the same energy to community service. She is especially passionate about
programs that support education, entrepreneurship and small businesses throughout
South Baldwin County.
One initiative close to her heart is EPIC South Baldwin, a student entrepreneurship program she helped launch through the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation and Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, with support from Coastal Alabama Community College, sponsors and volunteers. Students learn to develop business ideas, work with experienced mentors and are provided startup funding to help move their concepts forward.
For McMeans, encouraging young entrepreneurs is another form of creative investment.
By sharing experience, building connections and opening doors, she helps students see that their ideas have value and that meaningful businesses can begin right here at home and at any age.
Twenty years after launching her agency, McMeans is still creating, promoting, volunteering and finding new ways to contribute. The hats may be many, but the purpose remains consistent: use creativity generously, support the community and leave every project stronger than she found it.
“Tara McMeans turns creativity into connection, using art, entrepreneurship and service to strengthen businesses, inspire young leaders and give back throughout the Gulf Coast community.”
Tara McMeans will celebrate her second selection as the National Shrimp Festival
poster artist during the 53rd annual festival, October 8–11, 2026, in Gulf Shores. She
will sign official posters and merchandise on Saturday, October 10. Festival visitors can also shop McMeans’ Saltwater heALs booth, featuring coastal apparel created from her original artwork. A portion of proceeds supports local nonprofit organizations. To learn more about Tara McMeans, explore her businesses and community projects including Design Print Promote, Saltwater heALs, and Epic South Baldwin, or enter to win a signed Shrimp Festival poster prize package, visit TaraMcMeans.com.