the Art Trap House
The judges who chose the winners at the"Okaloosa's Got Talent" finale were:
Asheville native Aja Cobbs is a painter, event curator, creative and founder and C.E.O of The Art Trap (T.aking R.eal A.rt P.laces) House. The Art Trap House is a culturally diverse interactive traveling music and fine arts Festival that serves as a platform and catalyst for rising artists across the nation. Each exhibition helps to develop rising artists of all genres by giving them the tools necessary to gain exposure, build connections, and learn the importance of reinvesting and flipping their money to make more. The Art Trap House (T.A.T.H.) began in Charlotte in 2016. Founder Aja Cobbs, an artist herself, realized that many art exhibits lacked promotion, and the artists came to art shows unprepared on many different levels. She also noticed the people who attended the shows were not interacting with the artists. So she created and designed The Art Trap House to bridge those gaps and help maximize the exposure of artists and their work and bring the community together while at it. The Art Trap House has traveled to Charlotte, NC, Atlanta, GA, Asheville, NC Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, Washington, DC, and Austin, TX and many more cities!
Doug Bowers is a multi-instrumentalist musician and composer located in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is the owner and producer at Three In One Records. Doug has more than 40 years of experience in the music business from performing to production and operates the Immanuel Music Project located in Destin, Florida.
Carole Lee Byrd is a native of our area and graduated from Niceville High School with academic honors, was a cheerleader, and a Homecoming Queen. She majored in Piano and Performing Arts in college. She is she married to Butch Byrd, PGA Golf Professional. She taught piano for 20+ years, as well as directing show choirs in her church, and actively serving as a talent consultant. She has recently retired as the State Co- Director with her daughter, Betsy, for Distinguished Young Women of Florida, and now enjoys serving on various boards in the community, including the Okaloosa Arts Alliance Board. Among other community awards, Carole was named to the Okaloosa County Status of Women Hall of Fame in 2021, and selected as the FWB Chamber Volunteer award for 2021. An obvious lover of the arts, she also enjoys sports spectating, gardening, cooking, reading, our beaches, and people in general!
Mercedes began her journey here in July 2020 from Austin, Texas. She is the proud owner of two local, thriving businesses Happy Planet Cleaners and Latin Flair Events that launched in 2021. With a marketing and event planning background, she has launched several community events from Ciclovia and Hispanic Street Festival that raise money for area nonprofits.
OGT Host is:
Zoran- owner of Zoran Entertainment, Radio and TV commercials, Ring Master - Shoreline church production of The Greatest Showman, Spokesperson for Cox Communication, serves on the OAA Board of Directors, And MTV road rules drive it home promo
Want an OGT t-shirt?
They are available in multiple children and adult sizes in the above colors. They are $25 and can be purchased via Venmo at @Zoran-Subotich
They will be at the OGT finale on April 7th. Email Zoran at zoranzakary@gmail.com for more information.
Event Judges
Event Sponsors
The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) of Okaloosa County is a local arts agency that strengthens the county by supporting the arts through advocacy, education, and marketing and promotion.
Okaloosa County's Got Talent (OGT) finale took place on Sunday, April 7, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at The Sound Cafe + Enlightened Studios.
The winners in the youth division were:
Facebook Live link- https://fb.watch/rmFWSINuoz/
3rd place Wesley Hudson
2nd place Bailey Scheel
1st place Tyler and Tylin Ruhland
The winners of the adult division were:
Facebook Live link-https://fb.watch/rmGeE4zkj8/
3rd place Liz Duran
2nd place Kevin Price
1st Damascus Road - Dakota Bishop