3-7 p.m. March 18, 27; April 23; May 21,31. Live painting at The Foster Gallery Contact:andi@andiart.com 495 Grand Blvd Ste. J 104, Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 837-3037
>10-7 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, May 7,8, ArtsQuest Art Festival, 495 Grand Blvd, Miramar Beach, FL 32550. info@culturalartsalliance.com
Destin author and illustrator Andi Scurto, author of “The Accidental Adventure of Mattie the Giraffe,” will hold a number of book signing and reading events from March through July, in various locations in Florida.
Come meet Scurto and hear about Mattie’s whimsical adventures. The events are free and open to the public. Scurto, who professes to be a lifelong bookworm, will be on hand at these upcoming events:
>3-7 p.m. March 18, 27; April 23; May 21,31. Live painting at The Foster Gallery Contact:andi@andiart.com 495 Grand Blvd Ste. J 104, Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 837-3037
>5-6 p.m. Thursday, March 24, Zoom artist talk with University of West Florida art students. Contact: Danielle Muir dm180@students.uwf.edu . Zoom link https://uwf.zoom.us/j/88435546839
>12-3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, Blue Giraffe book signing. Contact: 1777 E. County Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459, (850) 231-5112 christi@bluegiraffe30a.com .
>10-11 a.m., Tuesday-Wednesday, March 29-30, Foley Public Library Storytime. Contact: 319 E Laurel Ave, Foley, AL 36535 (251) 943-7665 Kelly Wansleykwansley@cityoffoley.org .
TBD Destin Brewery + Andi + Mattie Kelly Arts beer release. Probably end of March beginning of April. Destin Brewery Contact: 505 Mountain Dr, Destin, FL 32541 (850) 842-4757 info@destinbrew.com
>10 a.m. ‘til, Saturday, April 9, Hidden Lantern Bookstore book signing. Contact: 84 Main St., Inlet Beach, Florida 32461. (850) 460-9567 diane@thehiddenlantern.com.
>10-7 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, May 7,8, ArtsQuest Art Festival, 495 Grand Blvd, Miramar Beach, FL 32550. info@culturalartsalliance.com
>June, Gulf Breeze Zoo Giraffe Month. Contact: 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 (866) 620-1825 Susi Robichaux marketing@zoofairparks.com .
>10-11 a.m., Wednesday, July 27, Foley Public Library “Coffee and Donuts with Authors” event. Contact: 319 E Laurel Ave, Foley, AL 36535 (251) 943-7665 Melanie Schnieders mschnieders@cityoffoley.org.
“The Accidental Adventure of Mattie the Giraffe” is a colorfully illustrated tale of the day that Mattie learns to ride her bicycle. It’s the captivating story about Mattie’s unexpected adventure that makes the perfect winter read for children.
“The memories I have of being read Dr. Seuss and The Berenstain Bears are priceless to me. A good book can be the bridge that bonds us together and that is my wish for Mattie the Giraffe- to be a bit of glue that helps happy memories stick,” said Scurto, who had been working on the book for the past six years.
Written and illustrated by Scurto, Mattie the Giraffe is a beloved character that has developed a whimsical following over the last six years. Scurto’s illustrations not only inspire wonder and curiosity, but leave fans asking, “where will Mattie be next?”
Audience participation has been an engaging experience for Scurto, as her fans contribute imaginative travel spots for her protagonist — Mattie. Scurto felt that Mattie’s story of learning to ride a bike, without knowing how she would stop, could inspire courage in her audiences. A surprise ending, combined with over a dozen original watercolor paintings comprise this lighthearted journey of a reticulated giraffe.
Now you can bring Mattie the Giraffe into your home, and if you order “The Accidental Adventure of Mattie the Giraffe” straight from Scurto’s website at https://andiart.com/mattiethegiraffebook , your copy will come signed by the author. There is limited stock, and once it runs out you can find copies on Amazon.
Hailing from Destin, Florida by way of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Scurto is of Colombian descent and finds the warm Florida weather much to her liking.
Scurto is a self-taught artist whose art is featured in four different galleries and multiple outdoor areas in the Destin area. For nearly 15 years Scurto has been a professional artist, and she’s spent over 20 years writing creative content for the vacation rental industry. Finally, she’s combined her passions for storytelling and love of illustrating.
Six years in the making, Mattie the Giraffe began as a shy illustration that went on to be the subject of the 20th anniversary poster for Destin Festival of the Arts and then continued to win multiple awards, culminating in the book. Scurto’s favorite pastimes include birdwatching, attempting to complete the NY Times daily crossword and of course, riding her bike. This is her first book.
