Support the OAA with Compass for your Cause

The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) announces its new "Compass for Your Cause" program in partnership with Compass Bank. All you need to do is open an account at Compass and the OAA will receive $50. Please see instructions from on how you can participate in this great program. Email me at amybaty1@gmail.com or Robin at robin.donlon@bbvacompass.com for more details. "The affinity code for The Okaloosa Arts Alliance is 106984. This is the code anyone who opens an account with Compass will need to have this code at the time of account opening for the $50 one time credit the organization will receive. This cannot be corrected after the fact. Anyone who is an existing customer can also add the code to the account so that the organization can benefit from the 0.25% of debit card transaction donations.

Spring Fest Thank you & Poster Contest Winners

The Okaloosa Arts Alliance would like to thank On The Coast Magazine, HarborWalk Village and everyone who participated in the Spring Fest. On the Coast Magazine and Okaloosa Arts Alliance joined together to host Spring Fest at HarborWalk Village on Sat, May 17, 2014. The Okaloosa Arts Alliance would like to thank our sponsors: Drama Kids, Childcare Network and Hometown Builders. Thank you for donations to the silent auction from: White-Wilson Medical Center, Emerald Coast Concert Association, Seablaster, Ramada Plaza Beach Resort, Southern Vacation Rentals, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, Bill Head, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Pat Federinko, Wyndham Resorts, Act4Murder, Papa Murphys, German Club, Destin Commons Belk, A.C. Moore, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Fudpuckers, Children in Crisis, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Special Touch Gallery, and Golden Nugget Casino in Biloxi. Thank you to the volunteers from A.C. Moore and Distinguished Young Women of Okaloosa County, and to the Okaloosa Arts Alliance & On The Coast Magazine volunteers. Thank you to all of the vendors and performers at the Spring Fest and to everyone who came out to enjoy the Fest. The Okaloosa Arts Alliance would like to thank all of the Okaloosa County School students that participated in the 6th annual OAA Okaloosa County School Poster Contest. Although we were not able to make everyone a 1st place winner, all 306 entries were on display at the Spring Fest. There are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for Elementary School (K-4 grade) and Middle School (5-7 grade) and High School (8-12 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, and the Fort Walton Beach Wal-mart, the Destin Wal-mart, the Niceville Wal-mart, Sam’s Club, Mary Esther Target provided 2nd and 3rd place winners gift cards. Participating Schools include: Liza Jackson Prep School, Rocky Bayou Christian School, Homeschool, Florosa Elementary, Elliot Point Elementary, Bluewater Elementary, Plew Elementary, Ruckel Middle School, Walker Elementary, Eglin After School Care, Fort Walton Beach High School, Meigs Middle School and Edwins Elementary. And the winners are:

Elementary School (K-4)- 1st Place Winner-Joseph Fagundes-3rd grade-Bluewater Elementary 2nd Place Winner- Ronald Gurney-2nd grade- Plew Elementary 3rd Place Winner-Olin Wolfgram-4th grade-Liza Jackson Prep School

Middle School (5-7 Grade)- 1st Place- Ora Wolfgram-7th grade-Liza Jackson Prep School 2nd Place- Avaree Hosford-7th grade-Rocky Bayou Christian School 3rd Place- Gabriel Fidler-7th grade-Rocky Bayou Christian School

High School (8-12 Grade)- 1st Place- Andrea DeJesus-12th grade-Fort Walton Beach High School 2nd place- Nina Brown-8th grade- Liza Jackson Prep School 3rd place- Asaintah Olshfski-8th grade- Rocky Bayou Christian School About the Okaloosa Arts Alliance-The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) is the designated non-profit arts agency for Okaloosa County. The purpose of OAA is to support and promote art and culture in Okaloosa County. The Okaloosa Arts Alliance enhances the cultural environment of its community, and promotes, coordinates, and nurtures high quality arts and cultural resources that enrich the lives of residents and visitors. The OAA is supported in part by the Florida Department of State and from Arts auto license tag revenues but could not exist without its members

Mark Your Calendar for Spring Fest-May 17

Mark Your Calendar for Spring Fest Destin, FL, April 17, 2014 — On the Coast Magazine and Okaloosa Arts Alliance have joined together to host Spring Fest at HarborWalk Village. Join us for Spring Fest on Sat, May 17, 2014 from 11am-6pm at HarborWalk Village benefiting the Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA). Spring Fest is a free, family friendly lively event unmatched on the Emerald Coast. Live entertainment, arts and craft vendors, free family activities, live animals, face painting, hands on art activities, a silent auction, and a display of posters from the talented students in our area. Be part of the fun and connect with locals and visitors in a powerful way by being a booth vendor or sponsor of this premier event. For more information on becoming a sponsor, vendor, or the OAA Okaloosa Schools Poster Contest, please contact Amy at amybaty1@gmail.com or Nancy Babin at kidzonthecoast@aol.com About the Okaloosa Arts Alliance-The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) is the designated non-profit arts agency for Okaloosa County. The purpose of OAA is to support and promote art and culture in Okaloosa County. The Okaloosa Arts Alliance enhances the cultural environment of its community, and promotes, coordinates, and nurtures high quality arts and cultural resources that enrich the lives of residents and visitors. The OAA is supported in part by the Florida Department of State and from Arts auto license tag revenues but could not exist without its members and community support. Go to www.okaloosaarts.org for more information. About On The Coast Magazine-On the Coast Magazine is a lifestyle magazine with a family focus. The informative, well written editorials deliver an entertaining, useful format. Each issue is designed so that every page is not only enjoyable and informative to read, but easy to navigate and visit time and again. On the Coast also includes an extensive local event calendar that keeps our readers involved in the community. With an active facebook page and website, On the Coast Magazine offers businesses a chance to reach it's active readership in many ways. This unique representation has earned us many industry honors, including two local "Addys" and over 22 national awards for original editorial, outstanding photography, interesting headlines and distinctive graphics. We offer all the local tidbits that you'll find helpful while enjoying your time here, On the Coast! About Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village- Park, stay, and play at Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village. Enjoy shopping, dining, weekly free events, concerts, fireworks, parades, and nightly entertainment throughout HarborWalk Village. Take a cruise on the pirate ship, The Buccaneer, then stroll for a happy hour cocktail at Crab Island Cantina, all before sitting front row at Harry T’s to the best sunset view in Destin. Continue your dining adventures with soon to open Margaritaville and Jackacuda’s Seafood and Sushi restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for fishing, dolphin cruises or jet skis, the opportunities for water adventures on the Destin Harbor are endless. Join us for one of our many special events to include Fat Tuesday Parades for beads, brass bands, and fun for all ages as our lighted floats, stilt walkers, jugglers, and musicians stroll through HarborWalk Village. The opportunity for fun can be found in every corner here, and at the end of the night, your suite is only an elevator ride away. Once inside, enjoy all the amenities of our full service resort, including a relaxing Spa, fitness center, an outdoor pool overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, covered parking garage, daily housekeeping, room service and full service concierge.

OAA School Poster Contest Deadline Extended to April 30

The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) would like to invite all Okaloosa County School students to participate in the 6th Annual OAA Okaloosa County School Poster Contest. The OAA wants to know what you consider "Summer Fun". It can be anything you can create on paper with markers, pencils, paint, pastels, charcoal, or crayons. There will be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner for three elementary school students (K-4), for three middle school students (5-7), and for three high school students (8-12) in Okaloosa County. Each 1st place winner will receive a $75 gift card, donated by the Eglin Federal Credit Union, each 2nd place winner will receive a $50 gift card, and each 3rd place winner will receive a $25 gift card. Additionally, the 1st place winners' artwork will be posted in the OAA newsletter and on the OAA website. All of the poster contest entries will be on display at the Spring Fest. Any Okaloosa County School student can enter; entries can be mailed through an Okaloosa County School or by an individual student. The poster contest deadline has been extended until April 30, 2014. Please submit only one entry per student. Posters should be standard size (8 ½ x 11) for the contest and should include, the name of the artist, their grade, and the name of their school. Please mail entries to the Okaloosa Arts Alliance, Attention: School Poster Contest, P.O. Box 4426, Ft Walton Bch, FL 32549. The Arts & Design Society has agreed to allow poster contest entries to be dropped off at their office, which is located at 17 First Street, SE, Fort Walton Beach and their hours are Tue-Fri 12 - 4 pm, Sat 1-4 pm, (Closed Mon-Sun). The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and will be announced at the Spring Fest. Go to www.okaloosaarts.org for more information.

Murder Mystery Dinner-April 12

Join us this Saturday, April 12th at the Wyndham Garden Inn on Okaloosa Island for a wonderful dinner and show to benefit the Okaloosa Arts Alliance. Email Amy at amybaty1@gmail.com or call 850-499-8335 to reserve your tickets! Act4Murder, a local professional acting troupe, has been performing original comedic murder mysteries for public, private, special and fundraising events since 2003. Okaloosa Arts Alliance supports and promotes art, music, and culture in Okaloosa County, enhancing the cultural environment of our community. The show, ON STAGE FOR MURDER, gives you a backstage look at what REALLY goes on in the green room during a night of songs, dances, and plenty of murderous fun! Enjoy a delicious 3-course plated dinner and HUNDREDS of laughs during this fundraising event for a worthy cause. Tickets are $50.00 per person, and can be purchased by calling Amy at (850) 499-8335 or online at http://www.okaloosaarts.org. Reservations must be made by April 11th, but arrangements can be made with Amy to pay cash or check at the door. Social/Cash Bar and begins at 6:15, dinner and show at 7:00. There will also be a drawing for chances to win some great prizes like 4 tickets to Gimme Abbey Concert donated by Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and 2 tickets to the April 25 and 2 Tickets to the April 26 Dance Facets donated by Mattie Kelly Arts Center. Thank you to the Fort Walton Beach Wal-mart, Sam's Club, Emerald Coast Concert Association, Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Wyndham Garden Inn, and Asiago Catering Services for your generous donations.

Murder Mystery Dinner Fundraiser

The Okaloosa Arts Alliance and Act4Murder are teaming up for a fundraiser at the Wyndham Garden Inn on Okaloosa Island on April 12. Act4Murder, a local professional acting troupe, has been performing original comedic murder mysteries for public, private, special and fundraising events since 2003. Okaloosa Arts Alliance supports and promotes art, music, and culture in Okaloosa County, enhancing the cultural environment of our community. The show, ON STAGE FOR MURDER, gives you a backstage look at what REALLY goes on in the green room during a night of songs, dances, and plenty of murderous fun! Enjoy a delicious 3-course plated dinner and HUNDREDS of laughs during this fundraising event for a worthy cause. Tickets are $50.00 per person, and can be purchased by calling Amy at (850) 499-8335 or online at http://www.okaloosaarts.org. Social/Cash Bar and begins at 6:15, dinner and show at 7:00. Visit www.act4murder.com for additional show night details, or email act4murder@act4murder.com.

Mark Your Calendars for Spring Fest-May 17

OAA Okaloosa County School Poster Contest

The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) would like to invite all Okaloosa County School students to participate in the 6th Annual OAA Okaloosa County School Poster Contest. The OAA wants to know what you consider “Summer Fun”. It can be anything you can create on paper with markers, pencils, paint, pastels, charcoal, or crayons. There will be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner for three elementary school students (K-4), for three middle school students (5-7), and for three high school students (8-12) in Okaloosa County. Each 1st place winner will receive a $75 gift card, each 2nd place winner will receive a $50 gift card, and each 3rd place winner will receive a $25 gift card. Additionally, the 1st place winners’ artwork will be posted in the OAA newsletter and on the OAA website. Any Okaloosa County School student can enter; entries can be mailed through an Okaloosa County School or by an individual student. The poster contest deadline is April 15, 2014. Please submit only one entry per student. Posters should be standard size (8 ½ x 11) for the contest and should include, the name of the artist, their grade, and the name of their school. Please mail entries to the Okaloosa Arts Alliance, Attention: School Poster Contest, P.O. Box 4426, Ft Walton Bch, FL 32549. The Arts & Design Society has agreed to allow poster contest entries to be dropped off at their office, which is located at 17 First Street, SE, Fort Walton Beach and their hours are Tue-Fri 12 – 4 pm, Sat 1-4 pm, (Closed Mon-Sun). Please make sure your poster contest entries are clearly labeled. The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and will be announced at the Spring Fest. Please contact Amy Baty at (850) 499-8335 or amybaty1@gmail.com if you have any questions. All of the poster contest entries will be on display at the Spring Fest, being held by the OAA and On The Coast Magazine. Spring Fest will be on Sat, May 17, 2014 from 11am-6pm at HarborWalk Village benefiting the Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA). Spring Fest is a free, family friendly lively event unmatched on the Emerald Coast with live entertainment, arts and craft vendors, free family activities, live animals, face painting, hands on art activities, and a silent auction. For more information go to www.okaloosaarts.org.

Mark Your Calendars for Spring Fest

Spring Fest Call to Artists Destin, FL, February 5, 2014 — On the Coast Magazine and Okaloosa Arts Alliance have joined together to host Spring Fest at HarborWalk Village. Spring Fest will be held on Sat, May 17, 2014 from 11am-6pm at HarborWalk Village benefiting the Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA). Spring Fest is a free, family friendly lively event unmatched on the Emerald Coast. Live entertainment, arts and craft vendors, free family activities, live animals, face painting, hands on art activities, a silent auction, and a display of posters from the talented students in our area . Be part of the fun and connect with locals and visitors in a powerful way by being a booth vendor or sponsor of this premier event. For more information on becoming a sponsor, vendor, or the OAA Okaloosa Schools Poster Contest, please contact Amy at amybaty1@gmail.com or Nancy Babin at kidzonthecoast@aol.com About the Okaloosa Arts Alliance-The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) is the designated non-profit arts agency for Okaloosa County. The purpose of OAA is to support and promote art and culture in Okaloosa County. The Okaloosa Arts Alliance enhances the cultural environment of its community, and promotes, coordinates, and nurtures high quality arts and cultural resources that enrich the lives of residents and visitors. The OAA is supported in part by the Florida Department of State and from Arts auto license tag revenues but could not exist without its members and community support. Go to www.okaloosaarts.org for more information. About On The Coast Magazine-On the Coast Magazine is a lifestyle magazine with a family focus. The informative, well written editorials deliver an entertaining, useful format. Each issue is designed so that every page is not only enjoyable and informative to read, but easy to navigate and visit time and again. On the Coast also includes an extensive local event calendar that keeps our readers involved in the community. With an active facebook page and website, On the Coast Magazine offers businesses a chance to reach it's active readership in many ways. This unique representation has earned us many industry honors, including two local "Addys" and over 22 national awards for original editorial, outstanding photography, interesting headlines and distinctive graphics. We offer all the local tidbits that you'll find helpful while enjoying your time here, On the Coast! About Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village- Park, stay, and play at Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village. Enjoy shopping, dining, weekly free events, concerts, fireworks, parades, and nightly entertainment throughout HarborWalk Village. Take a cruise on the pirate ship, The Buccaneer, then stroll for a happy hour cocktail at Crab Island Cantina, all before sitting front row at Harry T’s to the best sunset view in Destin. Continue your dining adventures with soon to open Margaritaville and Jackacuda’s Seafood and Sushi restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for fishing, dolphin cruises or jet skis, the opportunities for water adventures on the Destin Harbor are endless. Join us for one of our many special events to include Fat Tuesday Parades for beads, brass bands, and fun for all ages as our lighted floats, stilt walkers, jugglers, and musicians stroll through HarborWalk Village. The opportunity for fun can be found in every corner here, and at the end of the night, your suite is only an elevator ride away. Once inside, enjoy all the amenities of our full service resort, including a relaxing Spa, fitness center, an outdoor pool overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, covered parking garage, daily housekeeping, room service and full service concierge.

Compass for your Cause-Okaloosa Arts Alliance

The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) announces its new "Compass for Your Cause" program in partnership with Compass Bank. All you need to do is open an account at Compass and the OAA will receive $50. Please see instructions from on how you can participate in this great program. Email me at abaty@okaloosaarts.org or Robin at robin.donlon@bbvacompass.com for more details. "The affinity code for The Okaloosa Arts Alliance is 106984. This is the code anyone who opens an account with Compass will need to have this code at the time of account opening for the $50 one time credit the organization will receive. This cannot be corrected after the fact. Anyone who is an existing customer can also add the code to the account so that the organization can benefit from the 0.25% of debit card transaction donations.

Okaloosa Volunteer Art Lessons (OVAL)

The OVAL Art program (Okaloosa Volunteer Art Lessons) is a series of lessons based on grade-appropriate art prints which have been selected by the School Board. The District also provides an OVAL manual. These lessons, about 30 minutes long each, are provided by volunteers who have been trained in the program. OVAL can be offered to grades K through 5. This is a fun way to work with children, helping them learn about art and artists, developing skills which will carry over into other academic areas, and giving them the confidence to enjoy art in museum and other settings. Please consider volunteering with OVAL! Email abaty@okaloosaarts.org for more information.

Get your FL Arts Tag Today

​​FOUR REASONS TO GET YOUR FL ARTS TAG TODAY: 1. The money received through the tag program in Okaloosa County is used to give out grants to arts organizations, schools, and individual artists in Okaloosa County. 2. Each OAA member will receive a 10% discount at OAA events each year they renew their arts tag. 3. You can easily renew your specialty tag each year online. 4. The FL Art Tag looks great and shows that you support the Arts The money received through the tag program in Okaloosa County is used to give out grants to arts organizations, schools, and individual artists in Okaloosa County. For more information on the "State of the Arts" tag go to http://florida-arts.com/getinvolved/artsplate/

New OAA website

Check out the new OAA website. It's still under construction, but check it out and let me know what you think. Go to www.okaloosaarts.org

SAVE THE DATE: SPRING FEST

SAVE THE DATE: SPRING FEST HOSTED BY OKALOOSA ARTS ALLIANCE AND ON THE COAST MAGAZINE ON SAT, MAY 17, 2014 FROM 11AM-6PM AT HARBORWALK VILLAGE.

Thanks for a successful Wine Event

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Wine & Hors d’oeuvres reception at The Magnolia Grill of Fort Walton Beach on January 19, 2014. The Okaloosa Arts Alliance raised $1088. Thank you again to Tom & Peggy Rice, owners of The Magnolia Grill in Fort Walton Beach, who generously hosted Sunday’s reception. Thank you to Cox Communications and NewsTalk1260 for their generous promotions of the Wine Reception. Also thank you to the Emerald Coast Concert Association, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Heritage Museum of NWFL, Isle Casino, Biloxi, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, FWB HS Theater Department, Pyramid Players, Mattie Kelly Performing Arts Center of NWFL State College, Destin Commons Belk, Isabel Art & Design for their generous donations and performances. The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) is the officially designated non-profit arts agency for Okaloosa County. The purpose of OAA is to support and promote art and culture in Okaloosa County. The Okaloosa Arts Alliance enhances the cultural environment of its community, and promotes, coordinates, and nurtures high quality arts and cultural resources that enrich the lives of residents and visitors. The OAA is supported in part by the Florida Department of State and from Arts auto license tag revenues but could not exist without its members and community support. For more information go to www.okaloosaarts.org.