MKAF provides Zot Artz to nearly 400 students with special needs and abilities

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) made creating art its mission for nearly 400 local students recently. 

The week of April 8, artist/inventor Dwayne Szot, founder of Zot Artz, returned as an art partner with Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s ArtsReach residency program.  

Szot led two full-day hands-on creative residencies for K-12 students with special needs at two Walton County schools located in Santa Rosa Beach schools: South Walton Academy and Walton County School District Special Olympics Field Day at Emerald Coast Middle School.  

The South Walton Academy Adaptive Arts Day served around 175 K-12 students of all abilities. The Walton County School District Special Olympics Field Day served around 215 K-12 students with special needs in 15 schools from Walton County School District, plus Westinwood Ranch, a holistic learning program based in Freeport for individuals with developmental differences. 

In 2024, MKAF presented about 140 ArtsReach programs, a record 71 percent increase over the previous year. Since it was established in 1995, MKAF estimates its outreach has impacted more than 400,000 in the local Northwest Florida community. 

“We're thrilled to have Dwayne Szot back with his wonderful Zot Artz program,” said MKAF education director Melanie Moore. “He really is the Willy Wonka of the adaptive arts world. He has invented these fantastical creations that appeal to people of all abilities, but also help people create together. So, whether one of the students is in a wheelchair, or perhaps they lack fine motor skills, we're providing an opportunity for them to create art in a collaborative and meaningful way,” she said. 

Arts for All Abilities initiative is unique in the area. MKAF is the only arts organization that has a specific program initiative to deliver arts to people of all abilities.  

“I'm very proud of that and the fact that it has been part of the culture of our organization,” Moore said. 

Proceeds from MKAF-produced events fund the MKAF’s community outreach mission to provide cultural outreach programs through ArtsReach serving K-12 students, adults and children with special needs, at-risk youth, and through MKAF’s Warrior Arts program serving active/veteran military. 

For more information about becoming an MKAF member, sponsoring, volunteering to attending MKAF events, visit MKAF.org or call 850-650-2226. 

This news release was provided by Hillaree Somerville of Frances Roy.