By Zandra Wolfgram
Artist Kelly Pierre hails from South Louisiana’s vibrant culture, where his Cajun French-speaking family owned shrimp boats. Summers spent learning the shrimping business along the Gulf Coast deeply connected him to the seafood industry.
“I got to touch and hold all kinds of marine life. They are beautiful and amazing, and I wanted to save them all,” Pierre says in his lilting Louisiana accent.
Pierre’s winning artwork, titled Transcendent, is a soothing 24” x 30” acrylic painting featuring an elegant octopus carefully eyeing the viewer as it floats across the canvas in calming sea hues.
“People come here to experience the marine life. It is very inspiring to me,” Pierre explains. “I hope my painting reminds people of all the beautiful creatures on this earth and that we recognize that this earth is something to preserve. We need to preserve our existence.”
Most of Pierre’s art reflects the beauty, culture, and diversity of the coastal area. His passion for painting began in childhood after seeing an artist at a festival. Inspired by Alabama’s “smiling fish” artist Don Sawyer and Louisiana’s “blue dog” artist George Rodrigue, as well as his travels to the Caribbean, Pierre has found endless inspiration in both land and sea.
Pierre’s Artistic Journey
Now, Pierre can paint almost anywhere, though he usually works from his studio by the sea at Harbor Walk Village in Destin, Florida. After more than 30 years as a professional artist, the 51- year-old still finds great enthusiasm in painting, believing that “a good place to paint is wherever I can.”
A previous exhibitor at the Festival of the Arts, this is Pierre’s second win in the MKAF Poster Art Contest. He first won in 2019, but severe weather hindered the Festival that year.
“This award means so much. Being an artist was just a dream, but now it’s a reality. But it’s not about me. I believe we’re all artists … and to everyone out there if you work hard and don’t give up, you can achieve your dream.”
Facts About the Festival
As the Poster Art Contest winner, Pierre will receive a cash prize of $750. His winning artwork will be used to promote the 29th Annual Festival of the Arts, showcased on the official Festival poster, program guide, t-shirts, in the Festival marketing campaign, on the MKAF website, and across MKAF’s social media channels.
This year’s 29 th annual event begins on Friday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. with the Arty Kick Off Party at Henderson Beach Resort in Destin. The two-day Festival continues on Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27, throughout The Dugas Pavilion green in Destin.
The much-anticipated event will feature more than 100 juried artists from across the United States, exhibiting original artwork in various mediums including oil, watercolor, acrylic paintings, photography, sculpture, pottery, glass, wood, paper, fiber, mixed media, and jewelry designs. Artists will compete for more than $12,000 in cash prizes across 18 award categories, including the coveted Best in Show and People’s Choice Award, selected by festival fans.
A highlight of the Festival is the Collaborative Art Exhibit, showcasing select artwork by adult and student artists. This celebration of art, music, food, and family fun will include a live music lineup, hands on arts and crafts activities for children, an art raffle, and more. Visitors can enjoy a diverse menu from local food trucks, along with Wine & Beer Garden and a Bloody Mary bar. Convenient on-site parking and free shuttle service also will be available.
Admission to the Festival is free. Proceeds support MKAF and its community education outreach initiatives, including ArtsReach, which serves K-12 students, individuals with special needs, and active-duty military and veterans throughout Northwest Florida and the Southeast.
Join us in celebrating the arts and the vibrant community at the 2024 Festival of the Arts, and witness the beautiful artwork of Kelly Pierre and other talented artists.
For more information, visit MKAF.org.
