MKAF 30th Annual Festival of the Arts Oct 25 & 26

The 30th annual Festival of the Arts is set for October 25th & 26th - produced by Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF), is one of the Southeast’s premier juried art festivals.

A celebration of art, food and family fun, it is staged in the MKAF Cultural Arts Village in Destin. Stroll outdoor tents Saturday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to browse original artwork by more than 100 premier artists from across the United States. Enjoy artist demos, live music, creative children’s activities, street performers, food truck fare, beer & wine garden and more. Join in the festivities and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award (Saturday). This event is free for attendees. 

In its 30th year, the Festival of the Arts offers continuous live music, artist demonstrations and art projects for children as well as local cuisine.  The Festival is held in Destin, Florida an affluent and residential destination. 

Jurying is by three art industry professionals. Repeat attendance by the public insures potential multi-year sales. Presented on the grounds of the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, hospitality is a high priority.  Staff and volunteers work year-round to create a pleasant environment for artists.  Awards are given based on the Judges’ scoring of each artist’s body of work as displayed in their booth.  As a one of the Foundation’s signature events, the Festival of the Arts helps us fulfill our mission to enhance and inspire every life through Arts and Culture.

The $12,000 in cash awards include, Best in Show, People’s Choice Award, Awards of Excellence, Awards of Merit and Judge’s Recognition Awards. During the two-day Festival, more than 100 premier artists from across the United States will exhibit original artwork in the form of oil, watercolor, acrylic and paintings; photography, sculpture, pottery, glass, wood, paper, fiber, mixed media, jewelry designs and more in order to compete for more than $12,000 in cash prizes in 18 award categories, including the coveted Best in Show and People’s Choice Award which is selected by the Festival fans. The Festival also will feature a Collaborative Art Exhibit, which showcases select artwork of adult and student artists.

A celebration of art, music, food, and family fun, special features of the Festival include a live music lineup, hands-on arts and crafts activities for children, art raffle, and more. A diverse menu of delicious cuisine served up by local food trucks, along with a wine and beer garden. Convenient, free on-site parking is available.

Admission is free. Proceeds from the Festival help MKAF and its community education outreach initiatives including ArtsReach serving K-12 students, students and adults with special needs, and the military with visible and invisible injuries.

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) has named Kathy Schumacher of Niceville, Florida, the 30th Annual Festival of the Arts Poster Artist.

Recognized as one of Northwest Florida’s premier fine art shows, the Festival of the Arts, produced by MKAF, is one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year on the Emerald Coast. This year’s milestone 30th annual event will kick off on Friday, Oct 24 evening with the Arty Kick Off Party. The Festival weekend follows on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 26 at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin.

Kathy Schumacher, a Niceville-based oil painter, discovered her passion for painting later in life after years of traveling with her military husband and raising two children. Originally from Wisconsin, Schumacher draws inspiration from the Gulf Coast’s coastal wetlands and ever-changing light, creating richly textured works exclusively with palette knives. Her style has evolved from realism to expressive, sculptural strokes, capturing the beauty and emotion of the natural world. The winning artwork entitled Sails in Symphony is a vibrant 30” x ”24 heavy textured impasto oil that features three jew-toned sailboats ready to take the viewer on a magical voyage.

“It’s inspired by Destin—by the water, by the coastal lifestyle—and it just feels like Mattie Kelly,” Kathy Schumacher says. “I wanted it to be more colorful than my usual sailboat paintings so it would stand out on a poster. It reflects the beauty of our area and hopefully pairs perfectly with the Festival’s music and atmosphere.”

Though Schumacher first exhibited with the Festival in 2013 and won the People’s Choice Award that year, this is Schumacher’s first time being featured as the Festival of the Arts Poster Artist. After debuting with MKAF Festival of the Arts, interest in Schumacher’s stunning work has continued to grow. She exhibits in juried fine art festivals and is represented by The Studio Gallery in Grayton Beach and The Shops at Baldwin Turf in Niceville and takes private commissions. Despite keeping busy in her Niceville home studio, Schumacher has proudly exhibited at the Festival of the Arts for 12 years. 

“I love Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and the Festival of the Arts. This is truly such an honor,” Schumacher says.

Festivalgoers can meet Schumacher and see this year’s featured original artwork on display in tent No. 61.

“MKAF’s Festival of the Arts offers a wonderful variety of local art — not just paintings, but also jewelry, pottery, and more. The festival grounds are spacious and inviting, with plenty of room to stroll, live music to enjoy, and activities for all ages. Last year, the balloon artist near my tent was such a hit — she was hilarious! It’s a great place for children to be exposed to different types of art, and for adults to mingle, enjoy a glass of wine, and experience the local art market.”

 
As the annual Poster Art winner, Schumacher will receive a cash prize of $750. The winning artwork will be used to promote the 30th Annual Festival of the Arts by being prominently showcased on the official Festival poster, program guide, t-shirt, in the Festival marketing campaign, on the MKAF website, across MKAF’s social media channels, and more.