About Us
Florida CraftArt (FCA) is a member-supported, statewide nonprofit organization headquartered in the heart of downtown St. Petersburgโs art and culture district. Admission to the galleries is free.
About Us
Florida CraftArt (FCA) is a member-supported, statewide nonprofit organization headquartered in the heart of downtown St. Petersburgโs art and culture district. More than 200 Florida artists are represented in the 2,500-square-foot Florida Artists Gallery and the adjacent Exhibition Gallery, which features curated shows and engaging programs. The work on view spans ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, sculpture, and wood, reflecting the diversity and vitality of contemporary fine craft in Florida.
Founded in 1951 by Elsa and Louis Freund, artists and educators who believed in elevating fine craft across the state, Florida CraftArt began with traveling exhibitions presented in cities and towns throughout Florida. Over time, the organization established its permanent home in downtown St. Petersburg in a historic building that once housed Rutlandโs Department Store and the Golden Dragon Dance Hall. Now in its 75th year, Florida CraftArt continues to honor its foundersโ vision by providing a statewide platform for fine craft artists and audiences.
Florida CraftArt has earned a statewide reputation for high-quality exhibitions and meaningful engagement, drawing more than 56,000 visitors annually. Open seven days a week, the galleries are a destination for both locals and tourists. Thanks to the generosity of donors, nearly all programs are offered at no charge, making access to the arts barrier-free.
Our programs nurture artists and connect diverse audiences to fine craft. The Youth Arts Program brings teaching artists into schools and community organizations where young people can explore materials, learn new skills, and build confidence. Teaching artists are compensated for their time and expertise, which supports both the children and the artists who guide them. The Emerging Artist Program helps makers at pivotal points in their careers move to the next level, offering mentorship, critiques, career development, and professional marketing materials that strengthen both their artistic practice and business presence. Each week, mural artists lead walking and biking tours of St. Petersburgโs vibrant street art, sharing the stories behind the work and the community that creates it. Lectures and artist talks further invite audiences to engage with materials, processes, and ideas directly from the makers themselves.
Florida CraftArt is proud to be the only statewide organization dedicated exclusively to Floridaโs fine craft artists, helping them sustain creative careers while keeping the art of craft vital and relevant today.
Mission
Programs
This collaboration between Florida CraftArt and Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg, a middle school dedicated to nurturing future community leaders through a rigorous academic program supported entirely by need-based scholarships this program blends creativity and compassion into a force that uplifts lives.โ In this program, FCA member artists join forces with Academy Prep educators to introduce students to the historical significance of craft and provide hands-on experiences in various craft mediums. By integrating art education into the curriculum of students who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities, this partnership not only cultivates artistic skills but also fosters creativity, critical thinking, and leadership qualities in a diverse and deserving group of young learners.
This partnership between the Heart Gallery of the Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services and Florida CraftArt is a beacon of creativity and compassion. Pairing FCA artists with children in the foster care system, this program bridges art and advocacy with profound impact. Through tailored โartistโs toursโ of the exhibition gallery, children are guided through discussions on elements of art like line, color, and texture, by a paid FCA artist facilitator, igniting their imaginations and sparking inspiration. Moving to the Creative Loft classroom, these young artists express themselves through craft materials, creating images that reflect their unique identities. These creations then journey throughout the Tampa Bay area, not only showcasing the childrenโs talent but also raising awareness of the pressing need for them to find loving homes before aging out of the system, thus greatly reducing their vulnerability to hardships such as homelessness, joblessness, early parenthood, and substance use.
History
Florida CraftArt (formerly known as Florida Craftsmen) was originally organized by Louis and Elsa Freund, professors at Stetson University in Deland, Florida, in 1951. Elsa was a jeweler, and the couple felt that an organization dedicated to fine craft would elevate the art form to the status it so rightly deserved. Exhibitions were organized and held annually at galleries, art centers, and colleges throughout the state of Florida, beginning with an exhibition at Florida State University in 1951.
The organization was incorporated in 1977 but had no official headquarters. Instead, it continued the tradition of an annual exhibition and conference with workshops featuring local and national craftsmen. Florida CraftArt settled into its first physical home when Florida Power offered space in their building in downtown St. Petersburg in 1986. Several years later, Florida Power needed the space, and Florida CraftArt moved to the McNulty building in 1992.
Neither site was conducive to walk-by traffic or had the look of a true gallery. It was not until 1995, when George Rahdert offered a reasonable rental agreement for the old Rutland Department store, that Florida CraftArt had a dedicated space that looked and felt like a gallery. The space had high ceilings and big windows, and sales in the new space took off. In 2002, Florida CraftArt made a bold move and bought the building, which now houses a 2,500-square-foot Florida Artists Gallery, an Exhibition Gallery, and a second floor home to 20 artistsโ studios known collectively as ArtLofts.
Downtown St. Petersburg was still a relatively quiet area at that time, but it has been energized as an arts destination in recent years, with Florida Craftsmenโs gallery as an anchor leading the charge. In 2014, the organization changed its name to Florida CraftArt and now finds itself in the heart of the Central Arts District, surrounded by galleries, boutiques, and great restaurants.
Supporting Sponsors
Florida CraftArt Leadership & Staff
Jorge Vidal
Chief Executive Officer
Liz Cooper
Director of Advancement
Dan Katz
Business Manager
Doris Conner
Bookkeeper
Gillian Harper
Gallery Manager
Vyolette Hastings
Youth Program Coordinator
Olivia Dovorany
Assistant Gallery Manager
Board of Directors
Officers
Chair:
Tyler Jones
Secretary:
Lara Shelton
Immediate Past Chair:
Kathryn Boeckman Howd
Directors at Large
Walt Blenner
Laura Militzer Bryant
Denise Kelly
Duncan McClellan
Alvina Miller
Mary Anna Murphy
David Ramsey
Debbie Ritschel
Stacia Schrader
Pegie Stark
Don Strobel
Lara Shelton
Platinum transparency shows a nonprofitโs high level of openness and accountability.
Past Executive Leadership
John Roll (Interim) 2004-2006
Diane Shelly 2010-2016
Jorge Vidal 2023-Present
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Visit Us
Hours
Florida CraftArt offers free admission to its galleries and ArtLofts.
Florida CraftArt is open and free to the public from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Weโre open until 9 p.m. for the Second Saturday ArtWalk.
Accessibility
We have ensured all our spaces are highly accessible, with extra space in exhibits and the gallery. There is an elevator to ArtLofts and the Creative Loft on the second floor.