The TOTC 2007 event was declared by all to be the best ever, a smashing success. The TOTC committee was able to award $7,000 in scholarships at a reception in July. Pictured below are the Gulf County Visual, Performing and Culinary Arts Scholarship recipients.

• Cameron Horne, Wewahitchka, FL, $2,000 Culinary Arts, Capital Culinary Institute at Kaiser College, Tallahassee, FL
• Kate Shoaf, Port St. Joe, FL, $1,000 Creative Writing, Freshman attending Flagler College in St. Petersburg, FL
• Latonya Fisher, Wewahitchka, FL, $1,000 Interior Design, Freshman at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
• Nathan Grimes, Wewahitchka, FL, $1,000 Fine Arts, Junior at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
• Laura Sea , Port St. Joe, FL, $1,000 Visual Arts Photography, Junior at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
• Russell Harrison, Port St. Joe, FL $1,000 Fine Arts, Sophomore at Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota, FL

Total event proceeds were $19,000 due to the generosity of sponsors, contributing artists, and patrons. Sponsorships provided by members of the local business community pay all event expenses. Ticket sale proceeds paid the culinary scholarship and art auction proceeds funded the art scholarships and added $5,000 to the art endowment fund bringing that total to $20,000.

Weekend events included:

• Friday night’s Preview Party showcasing an elegantly decorated venue and delicious horsdeurves and was an opportunity for patrons to meet the artists.
• Saturday “Art in the Park”: children’s art competition, classic car show, children’s art activities, weaving demonstration, contributing artists selling their work, live music, and restaurants.
• Saturday evening’s event offering food from thirteen local area restaurants, live music by Hurricane Donnie, and announcement of the winners of the Gulf County Scholarship Committee’s drawings for a golf cart, laptop computer, and flat screen TV.
• Saturday evening culminating in silent and live art auctions offering a wide variety of art including metal sculpture, acrylics, watercolors, oils, first edition signed books, pottery and glass, and a gourmet dinner for eight.

The participation of “Outsider Artist” O. L. Samuels of Tallahassee, whose work is in both the Smithsonian and in the White House, lent a diversity and excitement to the weekend event. His donation to the auction drew some of the highest bids of the evening.