Mattie Kelly’s contributions to Destin are immeasurable. Her overwhelming drive to improve the quality of life for all citizens knew no political, social or religious boundaries. Throughout her life she pursued dreams that brought not only progress to Destin, but educational, spiritual and cultural opportunities that Destin still enjoys today.

A native Floridian, Mattie Kelly was born on March 12, 1912, near Vernon, Florida. In 1935, Mattie and Coleman Kelly moved to Destin to begin a turpentine farm, bringing the first significant payroll to the community. One of Destin’s pioneer families, the Kellys raised five children: Canera Lee, L. Bernarr, Imogene, Carol and Cecilia. The Kellys launched the Martha-Gene, the beginning of the now-famous charter boat fishing fleet. Mattie and Coleman Kelly also donated the land for the Destin Elementary School and another 75 acres to establish the Coleman Kelly Airstrip, known today as the Destin Airport. In 1981, Mattie founded Destin’s first radio station, WMMK-92.

Mrs. Kelly bequeathed a 52-acre parcel of property located in the heart of Destin. This site is considered one of the last remaining park-like settings in the area. The Foundation leases approximately 6.5 acres to the Destin Family YMCA. Mrs. Kelly’s most ambitious dream included a cultural arts facility on the property. She explicitly placed three restrictions in her will on the use of the property: the property cannot be sold; the property must be used exclusively for arts and education; and the land cannot be encumbered for financial collateral

 The Foundation

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation was established in 1995 to help realize the dream of a Destin rich in arts and culture. Since then, the Foundation has become the premier arts organization serving Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Today, membership and community support is at an all-time high and the Foundation’s educational outreach programs are steadily expanding. The Foundation is fully engaged in taking the arts in Destin and Northwest Florida to the next level through its plans to develop a world-class arts and education facility. The Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village willprovide residents and visitors to Destin with a permanent centralized location to participate in a variety of arts education and cultural opportunities for exhibits and performances by national, regional and local artists. The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Inc. is an independently operated non-profit organization..

2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bo Burns ~ Chairman of the Board

David Rauch ~ Vice-Chairman

Traci Stokes ~ Secretary

Ronnie Shell ~ Treasurer

Glenn Cooper ~ Special Events

Debbie Buchanan ~ Immediate Past Chairman

Joseph Bonanno ~ Tracy Conner ~ Lynn Dugas ~ Yvonne Freeman ~ Betty Hefner ~ Laurie Kelly ~   Linda Jones ~ Judy Lefler ~ Mary Ann Love ~ Jennifer Lovell ~              Jim Luttrell ~ Marilyn MacCollum  ~ Michelle Neubauer ~ Cara Roy ~ Scott Russell ~ Allison Tringas

Marcia Hull
Executive Director

Deb Nissley
Director of Operations

Kimberly Gonzalez
Education Director


The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation is not affiliated with the Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College located in Niceville, Florida.