Mattie Kelly Arts celebrates 13th annual festival

Join the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation on Oct. 25 and 26 to celebrate the 13th annual Destin Festival of the Arts at Henderson Beach State Park.    

It's an opportunity for a fall family cultural experience in a natural backdrop of sugar-white beach, swaying sea oats and the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

More than 100 premier artists from the United States will dot the beachscape in white-topped tents displaying their original artwork.
    
Artists from 14 states will showcase their original art, including acrylic, clay, collage, glass, jewelry, metal, mosaic, mixed media, oil, pen and ink, pastel, photography, digital art, pottery, sculpture, fiber, wood and watercolor.
    
Another 60 community artists featuring local adults and students will display their artwork in an eclectic Collaborative Art Exhibit.
    
More than $8,200 in cash prizes will be awarded in this juried fine art show. The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation welcomes festival judges Suzette Doyon, chair of the Department of Art from the University of West Florida in Pensacola, and Joe Sanders, professor and chair of the Florida State University Department of Art in Tallahassee.
    
Festival goers can relax under the shaded West Pavilion to enjoy live music and festival cuisine. A blend of jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, folk, contemporary, Celtic, beach and island music will feature such performing artists as Michael J Thomas, Chuck Lawson, Ed Williams Trio, Mike and Dave Trio, Deja' Vu and The Guffman Trio.
    
The Bistro Court delivers a sumptuous menu from Bonefish Grill, 98 Bar-b-que, Dave's Dog's, Bonnie May's Kettle Korn, Kilwin's Chocolates, Marble Slab Creamery and Ted Roberts Funnel Cakes & Curly Fries.
    
Kids can discover their artistic flare in the ArtStop Tent with a variety of hands-on interactive art activities. In addition, there will be special festival appearances by stilt walker and balloon sculptor Zakari Asiago, and Wade Henry, an accomplished juggler, unicyclist, ropewalker and fire eater between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily. 
 
FESTIVAL HOURS  
Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26. Admission is free to children under 12 and a $3 donation per adult. A free park shuttle is located at Emerald Coast Centre across the street from Henderson Beach State Park on Highway 98. Look for the festival feather flags and designated shuttle stop near Beall's to board air-conditioned motor coaches. 

For more information, contact festival headquarters at (850) 650-2226 or visit www.mattiekellyartsfoundaton.org.   
    
This is another premier event presented by the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, an independently operated Destin not-for-profit organization. Proceeds from this event benefit cultural events and All Kinds of Art, a children's educational outreach program in the local schools.