Blogs

By Zandra Wolfgram  It’s summertime! Which means the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) is in full swing.  One of Demetrius Fuller’s top priorities as CEO was to “up the fun factor and energy” of the offerings in MKAF’s 26th season. If the smiles on the dancing crowd in the Cultural Arts Village on Thursdays is […]

By Zandra Wolfgram  Looking for a beautiful backdrop to say I Do? Pining for a picturesque place to have a party or reception? Bored with holding your annual event in a stuffy ballroom? Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s Cultural Arts Village is available for rental for groups of all sizes. The Dugas Pavilion — a 1,600 […]

By Zandra Wolfgram  When we spoke with Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) education director Melanie Moore for a previous profile story, she shared that she especially loves the collaborative nature of her job, saying:  “Not only do I get to create these opportunities for people in our community, but I also have the honor of […]

By Zandra Wolfgram “I’ve always loved food and wine,” says Denise Kendust, secretary of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) Executive Committee. “We collect and enjoy wine. We travel to Napa, Sonoma, and are even Italy wine club members.” If you are anything like Destinites Denise and her husband, Ed, then you’ll love the MKAF […]

By Zandra Wolfgram  Local music lovers are in for the royal treatment this week.  Duchess, the high-energy classic rock cover band hailing from Niceville, takes the stage on Thursday, April 29 for the second installment of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s Concerts in the Village series. Duchess is the only local band in the spring/summer […]

By Zandra Wolfgram  They say music makes the world go ‘round. If that is true, then Todd Wilkinson is surely the man giving the globe a big ol’ spin.  Wilkinson, a realtor and environmental consultant, is entering his third year as chairman of the eight-member concert committee for the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. Long before […]

by Zandra Wolfgram Kevin Spencer believes the art of magic can change lives.  Simply, because it changed his.  “I’ve always loved magic. I remember when I was 5 years-old telling my mom I was going to be a magician,” he says. He pulled off that trick and much more. Today, he is an educator, teaching […]

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 […]

By Zandra Wolfgram  Looking for fun? You have arrived. As a member of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF), you are already aboard the “bus to fun town.”  Take it from the MKAF’s CEO of Fun, Demetrius Fuller.  “We really want to up our fun factor in all we do … including raising awareness and […]

By Zandra Wolfgram  It’s spring! The best time of year for a fresh new start. No one at Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) is more excited to kick off the 2021-2022 season than MKAF’s newly installed CEO, Demetrius Fuller.  The 26th season will be the first full season with Fuller at the helm, who stepped […]