Kelly Gardner & Marcia Hull
Kim Sulipeck, Kim Cook, Susan Leger & Vivian Zack
Kiara Watson & Jessica Buchanan
Debbie Howard & Cheri Dunn
Kelli Ann Nivens & Suzanna Mixon
Justin & Kathleen Broaderick
T
he weekend of October 27 and 28 was the “Weekend of Arts,” at Mattie Kelly
Arts Foundation’s 23rd annual Festival of The Arts Event, which has evolved
from a small local art show to the big event it is now, as one of Northwest
Florida’s premier cultural art festivals. The event showcased over 100 artists
from across the United States and Europe who competed for $10,000 in cash prizes. It was
an amazing celebration of art, music, food, and fun.
This year’s collaborative Best in Show awarded $250 to Ora Wolfgram for her beautiful picture-
like painting. Estelle Grenges stole the show as the Poster and People’s Choice Awards winner
with $500 and $800 prizes respectively. The Award of Merit went to 5 artists including Melanie
Moore, Thomas Radc, Melanie Blackerby, Kathleen Broadrick, and Kelly Pierre. Three other
individuals, including Joey Blazek, Gary Worthington and John H.C. Davis were presented
Awards of Excellence along with a cash prize of $800. The overall Best in Show went to Kelly
Nicole Gardner with a cash prize of $1600. This year’s judges were Paula Work, instructor of Art
at Pensacola State College and Amanda Holcomb, Art Educator at Wiregrass Museum of Art.
photos & story by
Zhalman Harris
Art Roy & Katia Bernarde
VIP Destin at Mattie Kelly Art Foundation
18 | VIPDestinMagazine.com
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