- December 25, 2024
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Haley Martin DeSouza has been photographing weddings since she was a senior in high school. Courtesy photo
Kim Fitzgerald started Curley Tail Design in 1998 and has created most of the logos that are seen every day in the community. Courtesy photo
Aaron DeYoe is a senior designer for Haberman marketing agency in Minneapolis. Courtesy photo
Haley DeSouza. Courtesy photo
Ed Beckett poses in front of student art in his classroom at FPC. Photo by Brent Woronoff
A wedding photo by Haley DeSouza. Courtesy photo
Kim Fitzgerald in her office. Courtesy photo
Flagler Palm Coast digital media and AP art and design instructor Ed Beckett had hoped to introduce the fifth annual FPC Artists Hall of Fame class at the 2020 Art Works program.
But the event was canceled because of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Without a sponsor, Art Works couldn't be rescheduled, but two years later, Beckett wants to finally recognize the Hall of Fame class of Haley Martin DeSouza, Kim Fitzgerald and Aaron DeYoe.
"They have to be contributors to the art world and give back to their community."
ED BECKETT, FPC digital media instructor
To join the Hall of Fame, artists had to be FPC graduates who are veterans in their fields.
"They have to be contributors to the art world and give back to their community," Beckett said.
Here is a look at each of the members of the 2020 Hall of Fame class:
DeSouza is a wedding and portrait photographer. Her business, Native Expressions, is based in Palm Coast. She photographed her first wedding as a senior in high school 10 years ago when she was three months pregnant.
She said being a photographer and owning her own business allows her to make connections with people while giving her the freedom to spend time with her family. An introvert who was diagnosed with depression at age 16, DeSouza said her business has helped her break out of her shell.
According to her Hall of Fame bio, her mission is to not only provide her clients with beautiful photos, but to also cultivate friendships and spread love through sharing her mental health journey. What started as an 18-year-old girl's dream in photo class has turned into a six-figure business that keeps growing.
Fitzgerald's Curley Tail Design "is really the only graphic design business in Palm Coast," Beckett said. She has created the majority of the logos you see in the community including the logos for European Village and the Flagler Executive Airport.
"I've probably done 1,500 logos," she said. "Logos and branding are my favorite things to do."
Fitzgerald has lived in Palm Coast most of her life. The Flagler Auditorium Dennis Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center is named after her father.
She attended Bunnell Elementary School and graduated from FPC in 1985. Her elementary school art teacher, Stewart Maxey, her main high school art teacher, Sheila Crawford, and Beckett, her high school pottery instructor, helped her decide on a career in art.
"Their support throughout the years still continues," she said. "Stewart is a cartoonist, and I still give him work."
Maxey's son, Patrick, is also a member of FPC's Artists Hall of Fame.
Fitzgerald graduated from Flagler College and continued her education in advertising art direction at the Portfolio Center in Atlanta. She is married and has three boxers.
DeYoe graduated from FPC in 2004. According to his bio, "during his high school years, he explored his creativity by playing music, making websites, exploring film photography, and helping to design the 2004 FPC yearbook.
He received a bachelor of fine arts degree from Florida State University and a master's degree from Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
He freelanced for many ad agencies in the Minneapolis area, creating work for such companies as Target, Five Below, Radisson Hotels, Omni Hotels and Zevia soft drinks.
DeYoe is currently a senior designer for the Haberman marketing agency in Minneapolis, creating branding, ads and other marketing pieces.
