Over the weekend was the 27th Annual Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) Festival of the Arts at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin. The festival featured exhibits of more than 100 artists from across the United States showcasing a diverse palette of artistic styles in nearly 20 different art mediums.
- Highlights of the cultural weekend celebrating art, music, food, and family fun featured six live music appearances, a kid’s creative corner, pop-up photo booths, street performers, and more than seven local favorite food trucks and beverage bars.
“Marking 27 years is a testament to how important the arts are to our community and a direct reflection of the talented participating artists, musicians, food vendors, board members, and volunteers — all beautifully managed by our incredible festival producer Deb Nissley,” said MKAF CEO Demetrius Fuller.
Guest judges Anna Killian Cavnar, artist and adjunct faculty member at Pensacola State College, and Dan Taylor, artist and art advocate of Tallahassee, awarded 29 ribbons and $10,000 in cash prizes.
- Best in Show went to Curtis Whitwam from Tampa, Florida, who is a two-time Festival of the Arts winner.
Locally, here are our winners:
- Award of Excellence Winners ($850) – Dorothy Starbuck, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. – Oil and Kristine Senft, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. – Mixed Media.
- People’s Choice Award ($1,000) – Jeff Waldorff, Navarre, Fla. – Photography
- Poster Art Contest Winner Justin Gaffrey, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. – Mixed Media
Collaborative Exhibit Winners ($850)
- Best in Show (Adult) – Julie Miles Gaffney, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. – Mixed Media
- First Place (Adult) – Autumn Johnson, Freeport, Fla. – Mixed Media
- Second Place (Adult) – Don David, Destin, Fla .– Pen & Ink
- Third Place (Adult) – Sharon Dooley, Niceville, Fla. – Fiber
- Best in Show (Student) – Rayna Lowery – Fort Walton Beach High School
- First Place (Student) – Eliana Batarao – Fort Walton Beach High School
- Second Place (Student) – Grace Bostick – Crestview High School
- Third Place (Student) – Clara Collins – Destin High School
Proceeds will fund the MKAF’s community outreach mission to provide cultural outreach programs serving K-12 students, adults, and children with special needs, at-risk youth, and active/veteran military recovering from visible and invisible injuries in our community.
