Issue 53, 2026
EYE & COFFEE GUY
FLYING WITH EASE
SKIN & TONIC
The 2026 FAVie Awards
scan here for photos
For voting Dillard’s Cordova Mall Favorite Women’s Apparel
Thank You For voting Dillard’s Cordova Mall Favorite Children’s Apparel
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contents Cover 10
The Favies 2026
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Junior League 70th Kick-Off
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Survivor Led Solutions — The Founder’s Invite
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4EVR Dez Girl’s Rush
Featuring: April Davidson, Ashley Donahoo at The 2026 Favie Awards photography by: Shanna Star
Editorial 28
Familiar Faces — Kathy Buskett
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Faces Making A Difference — Pensacola Opera’s Jan Miller Studio Artists
Photos Available at www.FacesPcola.com
In Partnership with Pensacola Mardi Gras, Inc.
Issue 35, 2025
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP MIXER
Issue 37, 2025
MEN WHO COOK
PMG GRAND PARADE
FRED LEVIN WAY FESTIVAL
DESIGNER PURSE BINGO
WSRE WINE AND FOOD CLASSIC
PMG Fat Tuesday Celebration
A Cabaret of curios
ities scan here for photos
FacesPcola.com
scan here for photos
Publisher’s Letter At FACES PENSACOLA, we continue our monthly publication “covering the places and faces of Pensacola” and surrounding areas. Our team has been busy covering events including runs, festivals, galas, openings, and more. Watch out for Kristina Wright, our Lead Event Photographer, and Jacki Day, our Marketing and Social Media Consultant, along with other event photographers to be included in the next issue. Please stay connected with us on social on Facebook @FACESpcola and Instagram FACESpensacola. We love Pensacola and all the awesome events, places, and faces it has to offer. Reach out to let us know about your upcoming event. We would love to include you in our calendar and cover your events. Thank you, Pensacola, for welcoming us and including us in your events. Don’t forget to check out our advertisers and give them some love. We can’t wait to see your faces!
Steve Barber photo by: Kristina Wright
FacesPcola.com
Publisher/Editor steve@facespcola.com
Team Faces
Steve Barber
Jessica Graña
Publisher/Editor
Creative Director
Jacki Day
Darra Flanagan
Marketing and Social Media Consultant
Advertising Executive
Kristina Wright
Lead Photographer
Contributors Hudson Aho, Distribution
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The FAVies 2026 photographer: Shanna Star
Location: Brownsville Community Center
FacesPcola.com
The FAVies 2026 photographer: Shanna Star
Location: Brownsville Community Center
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The FAVies 2026 photographer: Shanna Star
Location: Brownsville Community Center
FacesPcola.com
The FAVies 2026 photographer: Shanna Star
Location: Brownsville Community Center
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Hansel & Gretel vs. tHe WitcH October 3 | Tryon Library | 11 AM | FREE
community concert
October 9 | Bayview Senior Center | 1 PM | FREE
Hansel & Gretel’s Boo BasH! October 17 | Noonan Center | 2 PM | Tickets: $10
Pours & encores
October 18 | Perfect Plain | 2 PM | FREE
BroWn BaG oPera
October 20 | Pensacola Opera Center | Noon | FREE
oPera after Dark
FALL IN LOVE WITH OPERA! FacesPcola.com
October 23 | UWF Museum Plaza | 7:30 PM | FREE
symPHony & sonG
October 30 | Bayview Senior Center | 1:00 PM | FREE
Love Opera. PensacolaOpera.com | 850.433.6737
The FAVies 2026 photographer: Shanna Star
Location: Brownsville Community Center
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The FAVies 2026 photographer: Shanna Star
Location: Brownsville Community Center
FacesPcola.com
The FAVies 2026 photographer: Shanna Star
Location: Brownsville Community Center
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50th Annual Fashion Show Presented by
Friday, Oct. 23 Hilton Pensacola Beach • 12 Via De Luna Drive Fashions provided by Bluetique, Colette, Dillard’s and The Market & Mainly Shoes For sponsorship information, visit baptisthealthcarefoundation.org or call 448.227.8150.
Thank you to our current sponsors as of September 4, 2026. For sponsorship information, visit baptisthealthcarefoundation.org or call 448.227.8150. ACUMEN MEDICAL IMAGING + INTERVENTIONAL • THE AVERETT FAMILY • BERÉ JEWELERS • BRASFIELD & GORRIE, LLC • COLETTE • CONCANNON BUSINESS CONSULTING CORAL BAY AT PENSACOLA & HAVENS AT PENSACOLA • CPC OFFICE TECHNOLOGIES • ESCAPE WELLNESS SPA • EVOLVE PODIATRY • FLORIDA BLUE • GENTIVA HOSPICE HANCOCK WHITNEY • RON & MARGARET JACKSON • JOHN KIZZIAH STATE FARM AGENCY • LIFENET HEALTH • THE MARK LEE TEAM | LEVIN RINKE REALTY THE MARKET & MAINLY SHOES • KLEIN & MARCY MILLER • TRISHA & ED MORRISON • NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION • NORTH FLORIDA BONE & JOINT SPECIALISTS – DR. BRETT SMITH REALTY TRUST GROUP • REGIONS PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT • RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT PENSACOLA AIRPORT & HILTON GARDEN INN PENSACOLA AIRPORT/MEDICAL CENTER MONICA SHERMAN – RAYMOND JAMES • SPRINGHILL SUITES & TOWNEPLACE SUITES PENSACOLA • MARGARET STOPP MALLORY STUDER • VITAS HEALTHCARE • VOYA FINANCIAL ADVISORS, INC. • WEAR 3 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. CH606.
The FAVies 2026 photographer: Shanna Star
Location: Brownsville Community Center
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The FAVies 2026 photographer: Shanna Star
Location: Brownsville Community Center
FacesPcola.com
The FAVies 2026 photographer: Shanna Star
Location: Brownsville Community Center
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The FAVies 2026 photographer: Shanna Star
Location: Brownsville Community Center
FacesPcola.com
The FAVies 2026 photographer: Shanna Star
Location: Brownsville Community Center
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FACES PENSACOLA
We’re honored to be named Favorite Water Park. Thank you for your support, your votes, and for making Tropic Falls your favorite place to splash, slide, and make unforgettable memories. Come celebrate with us at Tropic Falls. VisitOWA.com
As we celebrate 75 years of serving our community, we’re grateful to Faces readers for choosing Baptist Hospital as your Favorite. This recognition honors our teams who are dedicated to our Mission of helping people throughout life’s journey. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in Baptist over the years. We’re honored to care for our community — then, now and always.
ebaptisthealthcare.org FacesPcola.com
Junior League 70th Kick-off photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: Culinary Productions • Charity: Junior League of Pensacola
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1 Brenda Dean, Kathryn Streeter • 2 Ann Keiek, Heather Irving • 3 Nancy Griffin, Kathy Andrade • 4 Deborah Ray, April King 5 Marica Henderson, Jasmine Broadnax • 6 Nicole Dixon, Rhonda Robinson • 7 Susan Fuller, Brian Wyer, Commissioner Lumon May, Teníadé Broughton, Chief Eric Winstrom
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Junior League 70th Kick-off photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: Culinary Productions • Charity: Junior League of Pensacola
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8 Brian Wyer, Teníadé Broughton • 9 Carolyn Grawi, Barbara McNeil • 10 Kenyetta Chambers, Michele Ciesla • 11 Nancy Griffin, Laura Griffin 12 Melissa Mortland, Angie Straughn • 13 Bailee Merkel, Katherine Creel, Nancy Patton • 14 Teníadé Broughton, Rhonda Robinson, Commissioner Lumon May, Jennifer Geeker, Michelle Mobley • 15 Miriam Fagerstrom, Pierre Johnson, Valerie Cope, Tesa Jones, Rhonda Robinson, Amy Duncan
FacesPcola.com
Junior League 70th Kick-off photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: Culinary Productions • Charity: Junior League of Pensacola
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16 Betsy DuBose, Dyan Wofford, Meri Asmar, Kim Enikeieff 17 JA Board
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Familiar Faces Q+A photos by: Shanna Star
Kathy Buskett Owner, Caricatures by Kathy www.caricaturesbykathy.com
What’s the best part of your job? I love making people happy. The reveal, when they see their drawing for the first time and react with laughter, is the very best part of my job. It’s what makes the whole thing worthwhile.
Is there an achievement or contribution that you’re most proud of? I’m really proud of starting over here on the Gulf Coast after being successful in Las Vegas. When I moved here ten years ago, I had to start over from scratch. And I did it. I’m also really proud that while I was living and working in Las Vegas, I got to be part of Samsung’s product reveal for the Galaxy Note at one of the largest digital caricature events in the world. That was pretty amazing.
Is there a “Best Kept Secret” in Pensacola you’d like to share? There are some really great walking trails that I don’t think everyone knows about. My favorites are Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park and the Bayou Marcus Birding Trail. And if you have kids, you MUST visit the MESS Hall! It’s a small, hands-on science museum, but it’s so much fun. Fun for adults too!
What should someone look for when hiring a caricature artist? I think speed is just as important as style when you’re hiring a live caricature artist. Think about it. The faster you draw, the more people you can serve. And the number one complaint I hear from people about other artists is that they’re slow.
How has working with your clients changed you? I’ve become a lot more outgoing and better at being social. When I first started, I was pretty scared and shy. Now I have no problem walking into a room, no matter who may be there. I’ve worked with movie stars, high-level officials and even a few sports stars, and you know what? Everyone’s the same. They’re all human. They want to be treated with respect, but they also want to have fun. I try to give them that.
FacesPcola.com
I’m one of the fastest live caricature artists in the world. I’ve actually won awards for my speed and came in fourth in an ISCA speed competition a number of years ago. I can draw up to 30 people an hour, so at a big event, that can make a huge difference in how many guests get a drawing. Style is important too. My caricatures are intentionally flattering because a lot of people are nervous that a caricature artist is going to make them look bad. There’s actually a trend on social media right now toward really exaggerated, ugly or even mean caricatures. That’s not what I do. I don’t make people look bad on purpose, unless you ask for it!
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Faces Making a Difference
Pensacola Opera’s
Jan Miller Studio Artists
written by: Pensacola Opera photos provided by: Pensacola Opera
B
uilding a career as a professional opera singer is not for the faint of heart. Developing artists spend countless hours practicing, taking voice lessons, working with vocal coaches, learning languages— the list goes on. As part of their journey, many singers begin in what are known as young artist programs, spending time in residence with a company, performing roles while also working on their craft to elevate them to the next level. Pensacola Opera’s Jan Miller Studio Artists Program is one such residency, inviting four singers and one pianist/coach to join the company each season for 22 weeks. Having originated in 2003, the Jan Miller Studio Artists Program is nationally recognized as a nurturing and supportive environment for young singers to begin carving out a niche for themselves in the opera industry. Over the past 20+ years, Pensacola Opera has welcomed over 100 artists into the fold, providing invaluable career guidance and performance opportunities in a safe space where they can explore their artistry. Former Studio Artists have gone on to perform on the country’s grandest stages, including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Santa Fe Opera, and Houston Grand Opera. Pensacola Opera receives over 700 applications annually for just five positions, a sign of just how desirable the program is to young performers. While in residence, Studio Artists are the face of Pensacola Opera. They perform throughout the community, including a touring children’s educational opera, community concerts at libraries and public spaces, intimate recitals at the Pensacola Opera Center, and even a yearly Bourbon & Broadway event showcasing a full FacesPcola.com
evening of showtunes. They also join the company on stage at the Saenger Theatre for mainstage productions, performing secondary roles and covering (the operatic word for understudying) principal roles. These artists become an integral part of the Pensacola arts community, serving as ambassadors for the artform and for the rich culture hub that is Northwest Florida. When they aren’t performing, the Jan Miller Studio Artists spend time coaching with Pensacola Opera’s artistic staff, working on their arias for upcoming auditions and performances, and gaining valuable career insight from industry professionals. They learn about things such as resume formatting, audition techniques, and money management for independent contractors. The goal of the program is to send these artists off—better prepared, refined, and confident—to wherever the next stop on their career path may be.
Our incoming group of Jan Miller Studio Artists for the 2026 - 2027 Season
Chase Sanders
Sydney Sorbet
Max Alexander Cook
Robbie Raso
Andrew Samlal
Cody Martin
Jan Miller In 2022, the program was renamed as part of a sustaining gift by Jan Miller, a generous, longtime Pensacola Opera trustee, supporter, and advocate. Jan was President of the Board when the organization established the Artists in Residence Program, making it one of the focal points of our mission in 2002. She has also been a fierce fundraiser and promoter for our in-school programming, which reaches over 10,000 area children each year. Her dedication to and belief in our education programs over the past 20+ years have been the driving forces in her impactful fundraising efforts for the company.
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FacesPcola.com
The Founder’s Invite photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: Angelina’s • Charity: SLS-Survivor Led Solutions
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1 Gary Holloway, Colten Wright • 2 Kristin Longley, Trina Davis, Theresa Cserep • 3 Melissa Mortland, Michele Carlton 4 Madrina Ciano, Lindsay Blanton • 5 Alicia Tappan, Kaitlin Mischler • 6 Averee Savage, Alicia Tappan • 7 Monique Thompson, Sarah Holt • 8 Madrina Ciano, Lauren Merritt
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The Founder’s Invite photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: Angelina’s • Charity: SLS-Survivor Led Solutions
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9 Darra Flanagan, Chesley Wilcox-Polk • 10 Abby Durrance, Shelby Ullrich • 11 Marcus Ellis, Madrina Ciano • 12 Teya Baldwin, Averee Savage, Lindsay Blanton, Christina Vaughn • 13 Paul & Rachel Gillette • 14 Steve Barber, Alicia Waters, Brian Wyer 15 Susan Bonsignore, Marcus Ellis, Kristin Longley
FacesPcola.com
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FacesPcola.com
4EVR DEZ Girl’s Rush photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: 4EVR DEZ Hub • Charity: 4EVR DEZ
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1 Ava Porter, Katelyn Lambert, Delaney Smith, Alexis Miller • 2 Taxie Lambert, Ashley Armstrong • 3 Ava & Katie Musick 4 Kylee & Mallory Middletonx • 5 Kylee Hewitt, Ava Lane, Jaliyah Parker, Nevaeh Scott • 6 Novalee & Dominique Hudgens
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4EVR DEZ Girl’s Rush photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: 4EVR DEZ Hub • Charity: 4EVR DEZ
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7 Pearl Martin, Maya m0rris, Amalia Walling • 8 Ava Musick, Kylee Middleton, Madisyn Mott, Haleigh Grant 9 Maya & Danielle Morris • 10 Layla Lovin, Ashley Armstrong, Riza Ayson • 11 Aviana Komlan, Brittany Moon • 12 Juliana Triboi, Jordan Suarez, Reese Ray • 13 Gianna Thush, Novalee Hudgens, Lana Fernandez, Kassidy Weiss
FacesPcola.com
4EVR DEZ Girl’s Rush photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: 4EVR DEZ Hub • Charity: 4EVR DEZ
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14 Board Members • 15 Reese & Lacey Ray • 16 Pearl Martin, Rachel Casey • 17 Ava & Amanda Porter • 18 Taxie Lambert, Lana Fernandez, Kassidy Weiss • 19 Laura & Madisyn Mott • 20 Katelyn Lambert, Ava Musick, Novalee Hudgens, Jordan Suarez, Gianna Thush
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Makeup Artist Permanent Makeup