25 years feeding local souls the art, music and education they crave

By Zandra Wolfgram

They say you can measure the heart of a community by the health of its arts scene. If that’s the case, then the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) has breathed plenty of new life into Emerald Coast. Before this organization was formed 25 years ago in honor of the late Destin matriarch, Mattie Kelly, to bring art and cultural experiences to the area, there was no music series, there was no art festival and there were fewer kids enjoying the joy of art in their elementary schools.

Since this non-profit has “come of age,” it has celebrated with a refreshed brand image, expanded programming and by opening a performing arts pavilion that has become embraced as an alternative venue space for the Destin community.

A Lasting Legacy

Looking back on 25 years, MKAF has made the grade by providing robust art education programs, lively music and art events that not only entertain and feed the soul of locals starving for art but also to support artists in need of a stage or platform to launch (and sell) their work and wares.

The MKAF Festival of the Arts (initially named Destin Festival of the Arts) was first staged in 1995 on undeveloped land at the Kelly Plantation Outdoor Theatre. Over the years, the event, produced by MKAF’s Deb Nissley, has expanded to include upwards of 100 artists showcasing art in nearly every medium. For 10 years, it was staged at Henderson Beach Park in Destin, but since 2013 it has come “home” to the Cultural Arts Village.

As part of the changes the Concerts in the Park music series was renamed Concerts in the Village and expanded to two series: a summer session (May through June) and a fall session in (September through October). It continues to showcase a range of music and musical performances for locals seated in lawn chairs, on blankets and gathered around picnic tables for “supper clubs.”

Fundraising remains integral to filling the coffers of the organization. One “creative career highlight” event cherished by Hull was the partnership between MKAF and the George Rodrigue Foundation, named for the master painter of vivid “blue dog” paintings. The Foundation arranged for a 100-year-old Steinway piano painted by the master artist to serve as the centerpiece of the gala event. Local musicians including pianist David Seering were invited to play a range of music from jazz to Broadway on the one-of-a-kind piano at the exclusive event. Proceeds supported a cornerstone component to the Foundation’s mission — community outreach.

Education outreach to grades K-12 began in 1995 and has since supplemented art instruction by bringing visual, performing and even culinary arts to more than 333,000 area students directly to school and after school programs in Okaloosa and Walton counties. With the addition of a full-time staff member, Melanie Moore, additional programs such as Art for All Abilities and Warrior Arts have greatly expanded MKAF’s art outreach to adults, military veterans and the disabled community.

Making an Impact

Thanks to a $1 million grant from the Dugas Family Foundation, locals now have an opportunity to enjoy live theater and more. After breaking ground in 2005, the grant enabled MKAF to work with DAG architects to design and build a flexible 79,550-square-foot arts pavilion space that can accommodate an audience of nearly 5,000.

The first phase included the Dugas Pavilion, a 1,600-square-foot permanent stage covered by a canvas canopy that opens onto the Village Green. When the space is not in use by MKAF and partner art organizations, it is available for events and functions on a rental basis.

Welcoming guests to the new Cultural Arts Village is a commanding 20-foot metal sculpture entryway designed by metal artist Frank Ledbetter. The puzzle-like artwork is Ledbetter’s largest sculpture to date and is one of the few pieces of public art in Destin. Named Welcoming Arms, it is made of 5,000 pounds of aluminum and stainless steel. It glimmers during the daylight and will be illuminated at night. “It is a shining beacon to welcome all,” says Hull.

Raising Her Voice Even Higher

For Marica Hull, who was born and raised on the Emerald Coast and has led MKAF as executive director for the past 22 years, being “the face” of MKAF comes naturally and serving as “the voice” of the arts in Northwest Florida is personal.

Beyond MKAF’s mission, Hull has taken up the mantel to place the arts center stage in the minds and hearts of Floridians beyond the town of Destin, where she makes her home with her husband, Dale. Modeling after larger cities with robust cultural arts offerings, Hull is collaborating with city and state officials and civic leaders to make the arts more of a priority and therefore elevate its value to the community.

“We need a cultural infrastructure,” she explains.

The path this art advocate is blazing has made important inroads. In 2011, Hull lobbied to have the arts included for the first time on an Okaloosa County Economic Development panel discussion. In 2013, she also led key community leaders in an arts-focused discussion as part of a strategic planning process hosted by the Florida Chamber Foundation called Six Pillars. The session was designed to help Okaloosa County prioritize its future. “This is about creating a quality of place. (The arts) is a proven catalyst for growth, quality of life and economic prosperity,” she says. “I personally just can’t imagine a community without art.”

Now in its 25th year, MKAF remains a pivotal leader of the Emerald Coast arts scene. For Hull, the successes to date are to be shared with the organization’s professional staff, active board, MKAF membership and 300-member loyal volunteer base.

“It takes a village to make a village,” she says. “And after a quarter of a century, though we have a come a long way, the future stands to be even brighter.”