The kind-hearted creative talent behind MKAF’s ArtsReach Program
By Zandra Wolfgram
Artist, art historian, teacher, fundraiser, administrator, arts ambassador, public speaker, arts market researcher … in her role as the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation education director Melanie Moore wears a lot of hats.
But she tips her brim to everyone who shares in her passion for the arts.
“I just love being involved in the arts in general, she says.”
Though this petite, blue-eyed, 40-something blonde has an identical twin, anyone who knows her will tell you she’s one-of-a-kind. Self-described as imaginative, insightful and a little nerdy, Moore was born in Pensacola and raised outside of Houston in Pearland, Texas, and in DeFuniak Springs, where she recently purchased land to build a home in the historic district.
Moore The Artist
“The emerging arts scene drew me back,” she says.
Clearly, the Emerald Coast arts scene is a place where Moore is more than welcome. She says she is an artist who works with “water media.” Her fresh, vibrant watercolor artwork is grouped into studies: botanicals, dreamscapes, citrusscapes and a new series called Indigo Oasis.
“Watercolor painting fascinates me. I never tire of its fluidity, transparency, and jewel-like luminosity. It is my vehicle for exploring my world—both real and imagined,” Moore says.
Jason Lindblad owner of J. Leon Gallery+Studio in Destin invited Moore to show her work in January.
“We were really attracted to her, not only her artwork and its bright, vibrant style, but her outgoing personality, her good work with MKAF, and her willingness to promote the gallery,” he says. “She’s a true art advocate and a great person.”
Moore’s work is also on exhibit at Beachworx in Destin and in various kiosks of Cabana by The Seaside Style in Seaside. You can view her artwork on Instagram at @melaniemooreart.
The Making of Moore
Moore may have been fated to be an arts educator. Her father was an author, her mother an oil painter and both were teachers.
“I was lucky. My parents encouraged my creativity, drawing, reading, playing and spending time in nature. We invented our own games,” she says.
After earning her master of arts degree in humanities from the University of Houston – Clear Lake (where she has since served as an adjunct professor), and a bachelor of fine arts degree (arts history) from the University of North Texas, Moore returned “home” to Walton’s county’s highest elevation to apply her teaching talent at the Bobcats at Paxton School.
Made for her MKAF Role
With 24 collective years of experience in nonprofits, cultural institutions, and as an art educator, her role seems made for Moore. MKAF CEO Demetrius Fuller heartily agrees.
“Were so fortunate to have somebody of Melanie’s education and arts pedigree to lead the charge for us on outreach, which is essentially the product of Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation,” Fuller says.
Moore joined MKAF in 2015. Fuller, who came aboard MKAF as CEO in January 2021, immediately made ArtsReach a top priority.
“Demetrius is clearly a visionary,” Moore says. “I cannot think of anyone more suited to building on the traditions of MKAF and taking it to a whole new level. I really appreciate his creativity and dedication to arts education, as well. I am also thrilled to be part of a larger team of true superstar colleagues—everyone is truly dedicated to our mission. We work hard, but the team dynamic is also a great deal of fun.”
Coined ArtsReach, MKAF’s robust outreach series leverages the talents of artists, provides hands-on art, theater and music education programs designed especially for K-12 students, children and adults with special needs, as well as veteran and active-duty military service members.
A certified Zentangle teacher, Moore was the first to bring the meditative art form to the Northwest Florida area after she discovered it at an arts conference in 2005. She created the Warrior Arts Program for ArtsReach in 2016. Immediately, she knew the therapeutic benefits of Zentangle would be a great way to serve the needs of service members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury.
“Zentangle is an easy to learn way to draw creative patterns,” Moore explains. “I like to tell my students when you tangle up, you also power down. As you are drawing each tangle or pattern it’s giving your brain something to focus on just enough so everything else falls away allowing you to get into a relaxed, yet active zone like yoga or mediation. For so many of our veterans it’s difficult to unplug and slow down and so the active aspect of doing Zentangle is really appealing … as well as the finished product.”
Moore started with presenting four Zentangle programs; today she has 50.
Moore to Love
Moore brings all of her “creative hats” to her MKAF role.
“As an artist, I understand the inherent benefits from the arts, and any creative practice. And as an educator, I have seen how art allows children and adults to make connections, communicate their ideas, and offer an avenue to self-expression,” she says.
Moore especially loves the collaborative nature of her job.
“Not only do I get to create these opportunities for people in our community, I have the honor of working with artists and arts facilitators who are leaders in their fields and live for sharing their art with people of all abilities. I feel like Santa Claus every time I am able to walk into a school or after school venue or other organizations with amazing artists, knowing that that day will be memorable to every person there,” Moore says.
Under Moore’s direction, ArtsReach, has served nearly 50,000 in Walton and Okaloosa Counties. Altogether, since it was established in 1995, MKAF estimates its outreach has impacted 337,800.
And more is on the way.
Despite the obvious challenges of the pandemic, with Fuller’s urging, Moore has grown the program manifold. In fact, 2021 has a record number of education programs underway (108 and counting!)—more than double the previous year.
“The demand for is huge and I love that we’re able to step up to meet it,” Moore says.
