By Will Estell
If you’re a fan of the arts and you live anywhere in Okaloosa, Walton or Bay Counties, then you’re likely already familiar with Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) and the events this organization has been bringing to Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast for almost three decades. MKAF has grown from humble beginnings to becoming one of the largest champions of the arts in our region, a mission-driven, membership based, not-for-profit organization, with all event proceeds going to support ArtsReach, the organization’s outreach mission.
MKAF events, such as the annual Festival of the Arts, various concerts, wine tastings and culinary gatherings are about so much more than providing a good time for attendees and members, they’re also about making a lasting impact on our communities. Since its inception in 1995, MKAF has made a difference for 400,000 children in more than 100 schools and partner agencies throughout Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. These “Arts Empower” programs provide arts in our children’s schools producing dynamic arts learning opportunities through its ArtsReach education initiative serving local K-12 students, at-risk youth and even those with disabilities through “Arts for All Abilities.” A newer program, Paint the Music, is a collaboration between MKAF and Sinfonia Gulf Coast (SGC); this explores the musical classics while channeling students’ inner Picasso—students paint to musical selections and are invited to a live SGC concert performance. Through “Warrior Arts,” MKAF serves our military population suffering with both physical injuries and invisible traumas and hardships, bringing therapeutic benefits to active duty and veteran military service members. This unique and healing program features Zentangle drawing for mindfulness and there are numerous testimonies to the program’s effectiveness.
Now in its 28th year, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s Annual Festival of the Arts is the place to be Oct. 28-29. This annual art fair brings in top-tier artists in an array of media from throughout the country. October’s event will feature more than 100 artists competing for various accolades in their respective categories as part of this juried festival. “This year, we enjoyed overwhelming interest and after the blind jury scored more than 200 applicants, we are proud to present more than 100 artists hailing from 17 states across the U.S. and Europe,” said Festival of the Arts Producer, Deb Nissley.
Additionally, MKAF’s Festival of the Arts also features live music, food trucks, beverages, comedian Jason Hedden as emcee for the festivities and a VIP Lounge Experience. There’s also an available cash bar featuring locally sourced craft beer, including Mattie Light from Destin Brewery, and MKAF’s famous Bloody Mary bar. MKAF’s Arty Kick Off Party starts the festivities on October 27 at 6 p.m. at Destin’s Henderson Beach Resort—an exciting way to usher in the festival while also partaking in great food, drinks and entertainment.
This year’s Festival will also bring additional entertainment with Stage Crafters performing scenes from the Broadway musical “Something Rotten,” along with local Gulf Coast artist and MKAF Board Member, Maxine Orange and her Splatter Studio, which allows children to create their own personal art to take home from the festival.
Check the MKAF calendar on their website at www.MKAF.org to find out more on this and other events coming in the next few months.
Author: Sowal Editor
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