Blogs

Four fabulous al fresco concerts remain  Fall is more festive when it’s enjoyed out of doors, under the stars, with family and friends listening to live music. The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) 2021 Fall Concerts in the Village series are underway. The 26th annual Fall concert season showcases a range of artists. This week, […]

By Zandra Wolfgram  Before Deb Nissley joined the staff of Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation more than 23 years ago, she didn’t have a background in the cultural arts.   She had designs on being a landscape architect, but life had other plans for this Michigander raised outside of Detroit.  “I don’t have much of a green […]

Melanie Moore’s ArtsReach Program Helps Heal Wounded Warriors By Zandra Wolfgram  It’s summertime! Which means the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) is in full swing.  “As a 23-year veteran, with 14 combat deployments, adapting back into the civilian world can be difficult and stressful for both the member and family. The art technique that Miss […]

No matter your taste in music, Todd Wilkinson, chairman of the concert committee for Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF), says there are plenty of reasons for everyone to come out to the MKAF Concerts in the Village.

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 […]