By Lori Leath Smith, Publisher Life Media
The first time I walked into the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation office, it felt like coming home. It reminded me of my mom—a talented artist with a gift for detail who loved bringing barns, old buildings, people, trees and landscapes to life in watercolor and pen & ink. Growing up, weekends often meant traveling to art shows, helping her set up and soaking in the creative buzz of those events. I even sold my own pet rocks (don’t judge—some of you remember!) and tried my hand at leatherwork and paint. Those early shows were my first classrooms in community—how art unites strangers in one place and somehow sends them home as friends.
Perhaps that’s why today, as a Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) board member, my love of art and artists still runs deep. And the Festival of the Arts remains one of my favorite times of year. This year, we celebrate MKAF’s 30th anniversary, a milestone for one of the Southeast’s premier juried art festivals.
Arty Kick Off Party
The celebration begins Friday night, October 24, with the Arty Kick Off Party at 6 p.m. at the MKAF Cultural Arts Village. Guests will vibe to tunes by DJ Josh, sip curated pours from Vinuv and enjoy light bites while mingling with artists and friends in a colorful, artsy crowd. Illustrator Janae Erickson—best known for the Niceville mural, MKAF’s 30th anniversary logo and her role as Sr. Director of Design at Frances Roy Agency—will be creating live digital art on the Dugas Stage, bringing her process to life in real time.
It’s also the perfect chance to learn about MKAF’s new Artist Level Membership, designed to support the arts while unlocking exclusive perks. Tickets are $50 per person and include one drink voucher, with MKAF members saving $20. Proceeds benefit MKAF and its ArtsReach community outreach education initiatives.
A Celebration for All
On October 25–26, the MKAF Cultural Arts Village in Destin will transform into a kaleidoscope of creativity, color and connection. Festivalgoers can stroll through more than 100 artist tents filled with original artwork from throughout the U.S., experience live demonstrations, enjoy continuous live music, and sample food truck fare or relax in the beer and wine garden. Street performers will bring their playful artistry, children can dive into hands-on art activities, and visitors can cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award on Saturday. Admission is free, ensuring this beloved event remains accessible to all.
“The Festival of the Arts is one of our signature events,” says Festival Producer Deb Nissley, “It’s where our mission to enhance and inspire every life through Arts and Culture truly comes alive.”
A Legacy Rooted in Community
The festival is inseparable from the story of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation itself. Founded in 1995 in honor of Destin matriarch Mattie May Kelly, the Foundation grew out of her vision that the cultural arts should be available to everyone. A pianist, organist, composer, poet and patron of the arts, Mattie dedicated her life to learning and to lifting others. Together with her husband, Coleman, she helped pioneer Destin’s tourism and fishing industries while remaining a generous benefactor of culture and community.
Today, MKAF carries her legacy forward. Over the past three decades, the Foundation has delivered more than 160 ArtsReach programs, partnering with 100+ schools and agencies to bring the arts to students, veterans and individuals with special needs. Each year, more than 25,000 participants experience these programs—everything from music residencies in classrooms to therapeutic art sessions for military families. Since its founding, MKAF has touched more than 420,000 lives throughout Northwest Florida. And it’s not just individuals—more than 500 business and individual patrons continue to fuel this work, proving that when a community invests in the arts, everyone benefits.
A Showcase for Artists
Hospitality is at the heart of the Festival of the Arts. Year after year, artists return not only for the opportunity of multi-year sales, but for the experience itself. Staff and volunteers work year-round to create a warm and welcoming environment where creativity thrives. Jurying is conducted by three art industry professionals, and awards totaling $12,000 are distributed, including Best in Show, People’s Choice, Awards of Excellence, Awards of Merit and Judge’s Recognition Awards.
For artists, it’s more than a weekend—it’s a stage to share their life’s work and connect with collectors who appreciate it. For the public, it’s an accessible way to experience museum-quality art outdoors in our own paradise.
Membership: Fueling the Mission
Becoming a member of MKAF means more than access to events; it means fueling a mission that changes lives. Membership levels—from the $75 Art Nouveau tier (for those 35 and under) to the $500 Impresario tier—offer benefits such as early admission to Concerts in the Village, discounts on Festival merchandise and season passes. But the real benefit is knowing that membership dollars help sustain programs like Arts for All Abilities, Warrior Arts and Arts Empower—programs that create safe spaces, provide therapeutic experiences and inspire growth for thousands in our region.
Volunteers: The Heart of the Festival
It takes an army of helping hands to bring the Festival of the Arts to life, and volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to be part of it. Opportunities include everything from setting up tents and greeting guests at the main entry to assisting artists, helping in the children’s tent or staying for breakdown on Sunday evening. High school seniors can even earn community service hours while participating. “All volunteers are welcome to arrive early or stay after their shift to enjoy the festival,” says Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie Shea. “It’s a wonderful way to both give and receive.”
More Than a Festival
Beyond the art tents, food trucks and live music, the Festival of the Arts symbolizes something larger: the weaving together of a community that values creativity as an essential part of life. In our area—a place already blessed with white sand and emerald waters—the arts bring depth, connection and meaning. They remind us that beauty isn’t just found in landscapes, but in the resilience of a child with special needs learning through paint, in the courage of a veteran rediscovering expression through the arts, and in the collective joy of friends and family gathering under tents, sharing culture, laughter and hope.
As a MKAF board member for several years, I hope you’ll join us for our 30th Annual Festival of the Arts. I say this not just as a publisher and writer, but as someone who believes in what this event stands for. Browse these amazing artists from all over. By supporting them, you’re also supporting those who need help right here in our community.
This October 25–26, at the MKAF Cultural Arts Village in Destin, come for the art, stay for the memories and leave knowing you’ve been part of a tradition that for 30 years has helped transform not just canvases and clay, but lives. We appreciate you and look forward to seeing you all there!
For more information, visit https://mkaf.org.
Festival of the Arts 30th Anniversary!
Arty Kick Off Party – Friday, October 24, 2025 | 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, October 26, 2025 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
MKAF Cultural Arts Village, 4323 Commons Drive West, Destin, FL
Free Admission to Festival | On-site Parking Available
