Featuring more than 100 visual artists, as well as live music and theater performances and master craftsman blacksmith demonstrations, the festival will take place on the Dugas Pavilion green at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, 4323 W. Commons Drive.
During the fest, art lovers of all ages will be able to watch artists create works during live art demonstrations, browse art from dozens of emerging and student artists, and get hands-on in the interactive children’s art station.
Beyond the visual arts, the festival will feature two days of continual live music and a sampling of the local culinary arts scene. Entertaining street performers, lively art drawings, and the sale of colorful keepsake souvenirs — all create a family-friendly festival feel.
This year, artists will be displaying everything from oil paintings and fine photography to mixed media, mosaics, sculpture, clay ceramics, jewelry, and more. After more than two decades, this festival has become a popular and proven showcase for some of the best artistic talent nationwide who venture to Northwest Florida to compete for more than $12,000 in cash prizes.
The judging panel includes Reanna Watson, academy director for the Eastern Shore Art Center in Fairhope, Alabama, and Sheri O. Sanderson, who has served at LeMoyne Arts gallery since 2008 and was instrumental in developing the famed Chain of Parks Art Festival. These judges will award artist prizes in the juried and collaborative art categories.
On Saturday, festivalgoers are invited to vote for the “People’s Choice” Artist Award by casting a ballot located at the Main Festival Entrance.
Featured guest artist
Look for live, fiery blacksmith demonstrations by master craftsman David Sandlin to the right of the Dugas Pavilion stage. With decades of experience gained from working across various countries and cultures, Sandlin now teaches woodshop and blacksmithing, and also offers apprenticeships.
A celebration of music
This year’s live entertainment lineup expands to seven live music performances and — new this year — live theater scenes. Saturday (10-11:30 a.m.) Jones & Company deliver jazz, soul, and world music, then rock, blues, dance, and original music by Tillman & Taff (noon-2 p.m.), followed by Stage Crafters Community Theatre company members who will perform scenes from their upcoming fall musical production of “A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder.”
(2:15-2:45 p.m.) Rounding out the day is Stormfolk with their folk, bluegrass, rock and pop sounds.
On Sunday, Now & Then (10-11 a.m.) opens the festival with folk tunes that allow them to improvise their acoustic fiddle and guitar, followed by Roman Street Trio (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) — an instrumental band specializing in improvisational fusion of classical, gypsy, contemporary jazz and Latin vibes. Sinfonia Youth Orchestra (1:45-2:15 p.m.) performs folk, holiday seasonal, and classic favorites and Nashville duo Luke & Kaylee (2:30-4 p.m.) closes out the festival with their country music.
The art of dining
The festival has expanded its culinary arts experience, too. Cuisine on the Green will serve up samplings of Venezuelan cuisine from La Chama Venez, gourmet burgers, chicken and fish sandwiches from Fuel Burgers, Latin vegan cuisine from That Rican Vegan, Texas smoked BBQ from Red Neck Riviera Smokers, plus Italian ice and gelato from Repicci’s of the Panhandle and classic savory snacks from PJ’s Popcorn & Pork Rinds. Foodies can toast the arts with select wine, beer, and fresh-crafted Bloody Mary cocktails in the Beer & Wine Garden.
More festival amenities
Buy festival merchandise — This year’s official festival guide, poster, and t-shirt feature the coastal-inspired artwork of Santa Rosa Beach-based artist Kelly Pierre. Signed and numbered poster prints and souvenir t-shirts featuring Pierre’s vibrant, whimsical oil on canvas entitled “Transcendent” — that beautifully evokes the spirit of Florida living — will be available for sale in the Souvenir Tent.
Win art! — Be sure to also visit the Art Drawing Tent and enter the charity benefit drawing for chances to win a range of original artwork generously donated by the festival artists. The drawing will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, but you do not need to be present to win.
Get the guide — A complimentary four-color festival guide containing a roster of all artists, a map of the festival site, the entertainment lineup, a list of food & beverage vendors, and other helpful hints on how to navigate through the festival is available at the entrance.
Free parking/shuttle — Park for free at Destin High School located adjacent to the Cultural Arts Village or at Emerald Coast Centre, located on U.S. Highway 98 near Beall’s department store, and ride the free continuous shuttle service right to the main entrance. The Cultural Arts Village is designed as an ADA-compliant venue with available handicap parking.
While the festival has free admission, donations are welcome. Proceeds benefit Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and its ArtsReach initiatives serving local K-12 students, individuals with disabilities, and active-duty military and veterans throughout Northwest Florida and the Southeast.
For more information about the Festival of the Arts, visit www.MKAF.org or call (850) 650-2226.