For Immediate Release 

 MATTIE KELLY ARTS FOUNDATION AWARDS $12,100 TO 29 ARTISTS IN 28TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

Highlights of the cultural weekend celebrating art, music, food, and family fun featured seven live music appearances, a kid's creative station, pop-up photo booths, street performers plus six local favorite food trucks and beverage bars.

"Marking 28 years is a testament to how important the arts are to our community and a direct reflection of the talented participating artists, musicians, vendors, board members, and volunteers — all beautifully managed by our incredible festival producer Deb Nissley," said MKAF CEO & Artistic Officer Demetrius Fuller. 

Guest judges Carrie Ann Baade an award-winning artist and art professor at Florida State University and Dale Castellucci, a mixed media artist and adjunct instructor at the University of West Florida, awarded 29 ribbons and cash prizes. Recognizing artists whose work reflected exceptional talent and craftsmanship, the judges awarded "Best in Show," three Awards of Excellence, five Awards of Merit, 10 Judges' Recognition Awards, and eight Collaborative Exhibit awards. 

Of the honor bestowed on him, Best in Show glass artist Tony Cray of New Melle, Missouri, said, “It’s always nice to be recognized. I’m amongst a pool of really talented people. I'm very appreciative.” Cray, who has been creating art for 40 years, said of his glass art, “It is all handmade start to finish. I'm responsible for every aspect of it. I’m a designer and maker. I like things that are well-made and finely crafted. I appreciate work that's very organic in nature, but my aesthetic is in the vein of Italian and Scandinavian designs — it’s about craftsmanship.”

The Best in Show adult winner of the Collaborative Art Exhibit was awarded to Ian Fagan of Pensacola, Florida, for his photography. The Best in Show student winner was Eliana Batarao from Fort Walton Beach High School for her oil entitled “Sick.” The Collaborative Art Exhibit features adults and students competing for the Special McIlroy Awards in honor of the late Patricia McIlroy, Destin's First Lady, and an MKAF advocate and patron. 

Freeport artist Estelle Grengs won the “People’s Choice” Award. This is her third win in this award category. “It's amazing. I was not expecting it,” Grengs said. “For me, it means a lot because it means that I'm touching people with my art and so if there's any award, this is probably my favorite thing to win.” 

Artists honored as follows:

Best in Show Winner ($2,000)

Tony Cray, New Melle, Mo. – Glass 

People's Choice Award ($1,000)
Estelle Grengs, Freeport, Fla. – Acrylic 

Poster Art Contest Winner ($750) 
Roger van Lieshout, Cape Coral, Fla. – Oil

Award of Excellence Winners ($850)
Katherine Meade, Brookhaven, Ga. – Oil

John Townsend, Sanford, Fla. – Sculpture

Robin Renee Hix, Wimberley, TX – Mixed Media

Award of Merit Winners ($450)
Joseph Frye, Bessemer, Ala. – Sculpture

Michael Fagan, Pensacola, Fla. – Mixed Media

Curtis Whitman, Tampa, Fla, – Watercolor 

Colleen Williams, Chattanooga, Tenn. – Ceramics

Christine Adele Moore, Bonita Springs, Fla. – Mixed Media 

Judge's Recognition Award Winners ($250)
Paul Shampine, Port St. Lucie, Fla. – Mixed Media 

Amy Bowden, Savannah, Ga. – Fiber

Roger & Renae Poer, Sylvan Springs, Ala. – Jewelry

Marise Fransolino, Marietta, Ga. – Pottery

Richard Franklin, Pensacola, Fla. – Acrylic 

Quincie Hamby, Tallahassee, Fla. – Jewelry

Kasey Caldwell, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. – Mixed Media

Kelly Rysavy, Tallahassee, Fla. – Oil

Robin Holt, Tallahassee, Fla. – Jewelry

Brent Livingood, Hampstead, NC – Photography

Collaborative Exhibit Winners ($850)

Best in Show (Adult) – Ian Fagan, Pensacola, Fla. – Photography

First Place (Adult) – Karen Stein, Niceville, Fla. – Watercolor/Batik

Second Place (Adult) – Bojana Grujovska, Destin, Fla. – Acrylic/Mixed Media

Third Place (Adult) – Don David, Destin, Fla.– Pen & Ink/Watercolor

Best in Show (Student) – Eliana Batarao – Fort Walton Beach High School – Oil

First Place (Student) – Aileen Lu – Crestview High School – Acrylic 

Second Place (Student) – Chloe Aldrich – Niceville High School – Mixed Media

Third Place (Student) – Lily King – Crestview High School – Collage

"After unprecedented interest, this year's festival included a wide array of amazing artists from all over the United States (and even Estonia!) including many new artists. We were truly honored to be able to present them and they were absolutely thrilled at the incredible support from our community,” said MKAF director of operations and Festival producer Deb Nissley.

Proceeds 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.

MKAF will begin accepting artist and poster entry applications for the 29th Annual Festival of the Arts in February 2023. The 29th Annual MKAF Annual Festival of the Arts is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27.

To make a tax-deductible donation or provide a corporate sponsorship; or for more information about becoming a MKAF member, visit www.MKAF.org or call (850) 650-2226. 

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PHOTOGRAPHY:
 Link to Festival Winners

ABOUT MATTIE KELLY ARTS FOUNDATION

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF), is a non-profit arts organization with a mission to champion arts and culture for all. Since its inception in 1995, MKAF has inspired more than 400,000 children in more than 100 schools and partner agencies. Through its community education initiative ArtsReach, programming serves K-12 students, at-risk youth, people with disabilities, and the military population with visible and invisible injuries. As a presenting organization, MKAF’s Concerts series showcases the Southeast United States’ most vibrant performing artists and bands to more than 15,000 patrons each spring. More than 100 artists convene in Destin each fall for the Festival of the Arts — one the preeminent arts festivals along the Gulf coast. MKAF has long partnered with multiple regional non-profits and school districts in the communities that it serves to ensure access to the arts for all. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Zandra Wolfgram

Director of Marketing & Communications

zwolfgram@mkaf.org

(850) 218-8805