Demetrius Fuller Leads MKAF to Record Successes, Fun
By Zandra Wolfgram
When Demetrius Fuller was named CEO of Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) in December 2020, top on his priority list was to expand MKAF’s community outreach efforts—the drumbeat of MKAF’s mission, increase membership, and “up the fun factor.”
Looking back on this CEO’s first full year at the helm shows he’s succeeded on all counts … and then some. MKAF’s coffers are up 60 percent over 2020, which was a strong year; ArtsReach programming was more than doubled; MKAF membership saw a boost and Festival of the Arts enjoyed record attendance.
Here are just a few highlights from MKAF’s 26th year.
At Fuller’s urging, education director Melanie Moore has curated an unprecedented number of community outreach programs (more than 108!) Coined ArtsReach, it 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.
January through April, Moore provided dozens of Zentangle classes and workshops through MKAF’s Warrior Arts program, which Moore created in 2016. The program partners with veteran service organizations and military partners to offer creative opportunities that promote mindfulness and resilience for our nation’s heroes with visible and invisible injuries. A specially curated range of customized programs include the Zentangle drawing method, painting classes, improv comedy workshops and more.
What started out as five programs in 2016 was around 60 at the end of this year. No one has been more pleasantly surprised than Moore with the response.
“I’m overcome with how well received this is,” she says. “To see it grow so much and to see it meet that demand in creative ways is very satisfying.”
In April, Moore invited Kevin Spencer to host the MKAF Arts Guild Lunch in April at the elegant new Hotel Effie. During his special guest appearance entitled “Hocus Focus: Spotlight on Arts Education,” Spencer shared his deeply personal story, explaining why he’s so passionate about using magic to help populations with disabilities, helping the audience bridge the connections between healthcare and education … and performing a little magic!
The Arts Guild Lunch gave the community a rare glimpse into MKAF’s ArtsReach efforts that are normally not open to the public. Proceeds benefitted MKAF and its ArtsReach programs.
Then in May, Moore invited Wendy Rodrigue, husband to the late “blue dog” artist George Rodrique, to return to ArtsReach’s roster to bring her “Life & Legacy Tour” to nearly 500 students in four different school assemblies of elementary students at Dune Lakes Elementary school in Walton County. During the three-day artist residency, Wendy guided the students in exploring the evolution of George Rodrigue’s work and the processes behind it. In June, Moore presented a new offering: painting classes at county veteran centers in Bay & Okaloosa County featuring local artist Estelle Grengs.
As is tradition, May and June, MKAF presented its popular summer Concerts in the Village series featuring 10 live music acts from around the country. This year was launched in fine royal fashion with The Music of Queen, the tribute band was accompanied by the full Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra.
Said MKAF Concerts in the Village committee chair Todd Wilkinson, “You had the music of Queen with the symphony behind it, which just added to the musicality. This was a magical way to both celebrate the 50th anniversary of Queen and kick off our season.”
The MKAF CIV concerts date back to 1995 and stand as the first and longest running concert series in Destin, perhaps Northwest Florida. The Fall series featured five additional concerts.
ArtsReach continued full “steam” ahead in September thanks to generous support from the St. Joe Community Foundation. MKAF engaged the Atlantic Coast Theatre for Youth (ACT) to stage a two-week residency STEAM-themed outreach program in Walton County elementary and middle schools. ACT staged The Time Machine, a new musical based on the famed H.G. Wells’ science fiction novel. STEAM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, investigates concepts through inquiry and problem-based learning methods used in the creative process.
Fall is also when the MKAF Festival of the Arts is ushered in. The 26th annual installation was a sensational success. It welcomed more than 110 artists, six live musicians — with a cameo by the Sinfonia Youth Orchestra! —seven food and beverage trucks and stations and record attendance topping 6,200!
This year, Curtis Whitwam of Tampa won Best in Show, while Festival Poster Artists winner Estelle Grengs of Freeport was honored with the People’s Choice Award.
Visual art and music weren’t the only artforms celebrated in 2021. The Artful Dining Series kicked off in January with a special send-off wine dinner at Vintij Food & Wine in Grand Boulevard to mark the retirement of former MKAF CEO Marcia Hull. Todd Newman with Dakota Shy Wines from St. Helena, California, was the guest vintner for that dinner. Two more dinners were held at Vintij in May and September. The intimate culinary series culminated with the Wine Walkabout at Ruth’s Chris in November, which showcased four California wineries, live music, a wall of wine pull, silent auction. New this year was the addition of a seated vintner dinner, which both elevated the experience and fundraising efforts.
This unparalleled year, closed out with another ArtsReach first. “Hands On with Zig” was a percussion world music residency held in December in partnership with Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s Sinfonia Youth Orchestra, Sinfonietta and Okaloosa and Walton County schools.
Under Moore’s direction, ArtsReach, has served upwards of 50,000 in Walton and Okaloosa Counties. Altogether, since it was established in 1995, MKAF estimates its outreach has impacted more than 337,800 in our community.
A stellar 2022 MKAF season will be announced soon. In the meantime, you can help by renewing your MKAF Membership now for 2022. Not only will you be supporting MKAF and its ArtsReach programs, but you will be rewarded with amazing benefits. MKAK members enjoy one full season passes to the Concerts in the Village series, discounts on Festival of the Arts merchandise, and special rates on MKAF events throughout the year. There are various membership levels. Find the one just right for you.
Already a member?
Wonderful.
Consider a donation to MKAF to continue to help sustain its impactful community outreach art programs.
With all he’s doing to realize Mattie Kelly’s dream, a clear theme has emerged for Fuller. “We wanted to up our fun factor in 2021 and we thank everyone who helped us do that. We can’t wait to do even more in the New Year.”
To view the calendar of events and to learn more about MKAF and how you can join the fun, visit MKAF.org.
