Our Mission
At WE are The ARTS, our nonprofit is dedicated to using the power of the arts—film, music, entertainment, and educational programming—to spark awareness, inspire action, and cultivate a thriving creative economy rooted in Florida.
Our mission is to grow Florida’s creative industry by investing in local talent and infrastructure. Through hands-on training, mentorships, and job opportunities, we empower filmmakers, musicians, technicians, students, and artists across disciplines. Our nonprofit provides a platform for regional voices to be heard and equips them with the tools to build sustainable careers in the arts.
We also foster community engagement through public events, screenings, music showcases, and workshops that celebrate local culture, promote education, and strengthen economic and artistic ecosystems across Southwest Florida.
Together, we’re building more than entertainment—we’re cultivating a cultural movement that supports & empowers local creatives, and positions Florida as a vibrant hub for arts and entertainment.
Keith Wallace
President/Founder
Keith Wallace is a seasoned actor, model, and community advocate with more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry. His film credits range from independent productions such as One Evening, The Red Tide Massacre, and The Scammer to Hollywood hits like Avengers: Endgame and Disney+’s Loki. He’s also been featured in national commercial campaigns for brands including Walmart, Dunkin’ Donuts, Coca-Cola, and PODS.
In 2021, Keith founded Wallace Entertainment to help cultivate artistic talent and expand creative opportunities in Southwest Florida. The company has organized acting and modeling workshops, casting calls, and community events, and assisted with casting and scene locations for Paramount+’s docuseries Never Seen Again featuring Tyler Perry. Building on this experience, Keith has also joined in 2025 the Epic Filmworks team as Casting Director, bringing his keen eye for talent and decades of on-camera and production expertise to help shape compelling stories and cast exceptional performers.
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Keith’s leadership extends beyond the arts. With over three decades in the security field—including his tenure as Chief of Security for Collier County Government—he has worked alongside law enforcement and the U.S. Secret Service, protecting national dignitaries and high-profile officials. His experience has strengthened his belief in the power of discipline, teamwork, and purpose—values he now channels into his creative and community work.
Passionate about giving back, Keith volunteers his time visiting hospitals and speaking at schools, encouraging young people to believe in their dreams and strive for excellence. As a certified substitute teacher, he understands the importance of providing youth with positive role models and real opportunities for growth.
Through We Are the Arts, Keith aims to help position Naples and Southwest Florida as a cultural hu —where local talent can thrive, visitors can experience the arts firsthand, and creative industries can fuel tourism, job creation, and economic development. His vision is simple yet powerful: to inspire, empower, and build a vibrant arts community that uplifts people and strengthens the region for generations to come.
Matthew Dykes
Treasurer
Matthew S. Dykes, or as we like to call him, “the guy who makes the magic happen”, is an accomplished and award-winning television and documentary producer, director, and editor with over 20 years of experience in video production. He’s worn more hats than a Hollywood costume department, serving as a nationally syndicated radio host, spokesperson, National Media Director, and National Sales and Marketing Director in both television and radio.
With 1,500+ projects produced, Matt has mastered the art of storytelling, whether it’s through broadcast TV, documentaries, web series, or creative brand content. His ability to turn ideas into cinematic gold has earned him eight Telly Awards, two Emmy nominations, and the opportunity to work on multiple Emmy-winning projects (yes, he’s got the receipts).
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Known for his strong decision-making skills, hands-on approach, and uncanny ability to juggle creativity with logistics, Matt keeps the production process smooth, strategic, and just the right amount of fun. At Epic Filmworks, he leads with a passion for creating impactful, visually stunning, and results-driven video content that helps brands tell their story in unforgettable ways.
If you’re looking for someone who can blend strategy, creativity, and technical expertise—with a side of humor—Matt’s your guy.
Penny Fisher
Secretary
Penny Fisher is the Executive Director and owner of Legacy USA National Pageant, a national pageant system she has led since 2020. Penny’s passion for pageantry and making a difference began in high school while competing in the Miss USA and Miss America systems.
She was a Director of Education for Barbizon Modeling for five years training aspiring models and performers nationwide. A former college dance team captain, cheerleader, and baton twirler, Penny thrives in creative, high-energy spaces.
She’s a Leadership SWFL and GAIN graduate, a Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 honoree, a breast cancer survivor, and proud mom to Audrey and Alec. She loves organizing, party planning, traveling, and turning big ideas into meaningful impact.
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Before launching Legacy USA, Penny spent two decades in journalism at the Naples Daily News. She was Executive Editor for five years. She’s launched several publications in her career including The Naples Press, The Journal and Turquoise Magazine. For the past 10 years she’s emceed events.
