The Okaloosa Arts Alliance announces its new Board of Directors for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. The Board of Directors are: Rae Schwartz, President, Ken Hair, Vice President , Esther Tiedemann, Treasurer, Amy Baty, Secretary, Gordon Hurd, Susan Kneller, Demetrius Fuller, Bill Johnston, Ashley Bailey, Lee Thomas, Keri Woods, Kim Clark, Chris Manson, Delores Merrill, Nellie Bogar and Ann Wagner.
OAA Awards Grants
The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) recently awarded 4 grants totaling $6,000.00. The organizations that received the grants were Fort Walton Beach High School, Okaloosa Chamber Singers, Pyramid Inc., and the NWFL Symphony Guild.
Along with giving grants, the OAA supports and promotes art and culture in Okaloosa County by sponsoring workshops for arts organizations and individual artists, offering art programs and performances in public schools, acting as a clearinghouse for arts related information to art organizations and artists, and promoting corporate involvement in support of the arts. If you would like more information on the OAA go to www.okaloosaarts.org.
Wine & Hors d'oeuvres Reception
The Wine & Hors d’oeuvres Reception hosted by the Magnolia Grill on Sunday, January 15, 2012 to benefit the Okaloosa Arts Alliance was a success. The Okaloosa Arts Alliance greatly appreciates Tom & Peggy Rice’s, owners of The Magnolia Grill in Fort Walton Beach , generosity in hosting the Wine & Hors d’oeuvres Reception. The Okaloosa Arts Alliance would also like to thank the Fort Walton Beach High School and Pyramid Players for their wonderful performances, and to thank Sinfonia, Mattie Kelly Performing Arts Center of Northwest FL State College, and the Emerald Coast Concert Association for generously donating tickets to the raffle and to the Okaloosa Arts Alliance North for a wonderful wine basket donation. Thanks also to, Rae Schwartz for emceeing, all the volunteers, and to the local media for their support.
Boeing Awards Grant to OAA
The Boeing Company is generously donating a $3,000 grant to the Okaloosa Arts Alliance for its 5th annual Family Fun Arts Fest. The grant will be used to cover the costs associated with the Family Fun Arts Fest. The 5th Annual Family Fun Arts Fest will be on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Henderson Beach State Park from 10am-5pm and is a free family event.
Family Fun Arts Fest & Poster Contest Winners
The 4th annual Family Fun Arts Fest on Saturday, May 14, 2011 was a success. The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) would like to thank everyone who participated in the Fest. The Fest would not be possible without the support of the local businesses, schools, and community.
The OAA thanks all of the Okaloosa County School students that participated in the 3 rd annual OAA Okaloosa County School Poster Contest. Although we were not able to make everyone a 1 st place winner, all 53 entries were on display at the Family Fun Arts Fest. Thank you to all the participating Schools including: Antioch Elementary, Destin Elementary, Elliot Point Elementary, Shalimar Elementary, Mary Esther Elementary , Liza Jackson Prep School , Wright Elementary, C.W. Ruckel Middle School , and Crestview High School . There are 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd place winners for Elementary School (K-5 grade) and Middle School (6-8 grade) and a 1 st place winner for High School (9-12 grade). The winners will all receive gift cards ranging from $25 to $75. Eglin Federal Credit Union provided all the first place winners’ gift cards, the Destin Wal-mart provided a 2 nd place winner gift card and the Destin & Mary Esther Targets provided the 3 rd place winners gift cards. The 1 st place winners’ artwork will be on all 2011 promotional materials for the 4th Annual Family Fun Arts Fest. The winners are:
Elementary School (K-5)-
1 st Place Winner- Kiara Owens-3rd Grade-Wright Elementary
2 nd Place Winner- Alexis Robinson-5 th Grade-Liza Jackson Prep School
3 rd Place Winner- Makensie Griffin-4 th Grade-Antioch Elementary
Middle School (6-8 Grade)-
1 st Place-Carmen Little-7 th Grade- Ruckel Middle School
2 nd Place- Isabelle Schrack-7 th Grade-Ruckel Middle School
3 rd Place- Asia Lawson-7 th Grade- Liza Jackson Prep School
High School (9-12 Grade)-
1 st Place- Jasmine Maughon-11 th grade- Crestview HS
The OAA would also like to thank all the local businesses that donated and supported the Family Fun Arts Fest including: Newman-Dailey, Tech Star Systems,"On The Coast" Magazine, Emerald Coast Magazine, Daily News Showcase, Mattie Kelly Arts Center at NWFL State College, ResortQuest of NWFL , Soapy Delights, Fleur d’ Aleigh, Southern Star Dolphin Cruises, Gulfarium, Sinfonia, Rave Movie Theater, Silver Sands Outlet Mall, Tommy Hilfiger, Hard Rock Cafe, Avantgarde Salon, Seablaster, Destin Longhorns, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Build-A-Bear, German Club, NWFL Ballet, Big Kahunas, Act4Murder, Destin Track, Arts & Desin Society, Carraba’s, Emerald Coast Concert Association and the local media.
Thank you also to the volunteers, vendors, and the performers including: Emerald Coast Pipes & Drums, Pyramid, Inc., Musical Echoes Native American Flutes, Act4Murder, Youth Village and Ballet Conservatory & Destin School of Music & Dance.
OAA North -Crestview Committee
Our area has many outstanding artists and performers, and many more who would be interested in becoming more actively involved in the arts. Even more would be interested in more cultural events in our communities. Does one of these statements describe you? Then please join us!
One of the goals of this committee is to get a grand piaon in Warrior Hall in Crestview. If you would like to make a donation, please send a check to the City of Crestview and the notation "Warrior Hall Piano".
For more information about this committee contact Rae Schwartz at bakerny@yahoo.com.
The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) recently awarded 4 grants totaling $2,000.00. The organizations that received the grants were Pensacola Opera, Heritage Museum, Children in Crisis, and William Augustus Bowles Museum & Historical Foundation.
Last year, the Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) awarded 6 grants totaling $10,000.00 in January. The organizations and schools that received the grants were Fort Walton Beach High School Drama Department, Pensacola Opera, Emerald Coast Children’s Community Theatre, Northwest Florida Symphony Guild, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, and Heritage Museum.