Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Artist Award Winners from the 2013 Festival of the Arts

Over 100 fine artists from the Southeast and cities across the country gathered in Destin last month to exhibit and compete for $9,000 in cash prizes at the 18th Annual Festival of the Arts juried art show held at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village. Local artist Juan Franciso Adaro, originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina who now resides in Santa Rosa Beach, received the coveted "Best in Show" and $1,500 cash prize for his contemporary artwork.
 
Guest judges, including Paul Richelson, chief curator at the Mobile Museum of Art, and Dr. Suzette Doyon, chair of the Art Department at University of West Florida, judged the artists' works. More than 27 artists were honored in a variety of categories. In addition to Best in Show, three Awards of Excellence, five Awards of Merit and ten Judge’s Recognition Awards were given in recognition of exceptional talent and craftsmanship. Kathleen Schumacher, an oil painter from Niceville, was voted by the festival attendees for the popular People’s Choice Award
 
"We are delighted to have so many incredibly talented artists take part in the annual Festival of the Arts," said Marcia Hull, executive director of Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. "We work hard to ensure the festival includes a variety of artistic styles and mediums. Our goal is to showcase many styles of art and connect art lovers with new artists. The new location at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village was an ideal setting for the visual artists, performing artists from the Dugas Pavilion and over 6,000 attendees."
 
Artists honored include:

Best in Show Winner
Francisco Adaro, Mixed Media (Santa Rosa Beach, FL)
 

 
Award of Excellence Winners:
Michael Fagan, Mixed Media (Pensacola, FL)
Leland Williams, Pastel & Sculpture (Crescent City, FL)
Joseph Frye, Clay (Clanton, AL)
 
Award of Merit Winners:
Solange Kelley, Pine Needle Baskets (Milton, FL)
Marise Fransolino, Clay (Marietta, GA)
Gayle Campbell, Jewelry (Valpariso, FL)
Diana Yum-Bucher, Jewelry (Pensacola, FL)
Tracey Davis, Mixed Media (Pensacola, FL)
 
Judges Recognition Award Winners:
Claire Whitmore, Fiber (Huntsville, AL)
 Linda Loomis, Acrylic (Santa Rosa Beach, FL)
Vaughan Greene, Clay (Inlet Beach, FL)
Greg Combs, Clay (Mary Esther, FL)
Carol Ferony, Pastel (Defuniak Springs, FL)
Jerry Mitchell, Clay (Santa Rosa Beach, FL)
Janice Beck, Watercolor (Santa Rosa Beach, F.)
George Bragg, Glass & Copper (Gulfport, FL)
Marian Pacsuta, Oil (Freeport, FL)
Jamie Babula, Acrylic & Pencil (Panama City Beach, FL)
 
Poster Winner:
Andy Saczynski, Mixed Media (Destin, FL)
 
People's Choice Winner:
Kathleen Schumacher, Oil (Niceville, FL)
 

 
Collaborative Exhibit Winners:
Jerri Whitehead "Mama's Things" - Best in Show
Ian Fagan "Amaryllis" - Adult 1st Place
Sherry McCall "The Shepherd Family" Adult 2nd Place
Jessica Beauchamp "Rain" Adult 3rd Place
Tyler Gaedecke "Robot" Student 1st Place
Byran Lopez "Inner Self" Student 2nd Place
Emma Gladstone "Sea's Nightmare" Student 3rd Place
 
MKAF is delighted to honor all the artist winners with cash prizes and credits the Festival's success to all the artists, sponsors and volunteers who participate in bringing this cultural event to the Northwest Florida community.  To learn more about the Festival of the Arts or other MKAF events and programs, visit MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org or call 850-650-2226.