100 of America’s Top Contemporary Fine Craft Artists Return to St. Petersburg for 26th Annual Florida CraftArt Festival
100 of America’s Top Contemporary Fine Craft Artists Return to St. Petersburg for 26th Annual Florida CraftArt Festival
(October 25, 2023, St. Petersburg, FL); A yearly autumn destination for art, the Florida CraftArt Festival, favored by enthusiasts, collectors, and holiday shoppers alike, returns to downtown St. Petersburg for its 26th year. Join us the weekend before Thanksgiving, Saturday, November 18th from 10-5 p.m. and Sunday, November 19th from 10-4 p.m. at the crossroads of Central Avenue and Fifth Street, and inside the expansive gallery of host organization Florida CraftArt where the holiday exhibition, UnWrapped: Handmade Holidays, will be in full swing.
The juried Festival is the only art festival in the state, and among the only such festivals in the U.S. Southeast, dedicated to exclusively showcasing the best in contemporary fine craft. To qualify as such, work must be original and hand crafted. Mediums include ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, and wood. $10,000 in awards will be given by festival juror Jerry Jackson, board president of the Folk Education Association of America, formerly executive director of the celebrated century-old John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina.
Artist demonstrations, music, a children’s MiniMakers activity tent, great food from local restaurants and food trucks, and wine and craft beer will add to the festivities. Festival details are available at floridacraftart.org.
One of the festival's most exciting aspects is the Florida CraftArt Emerging Artist Program, which aims to spotlight the talents of 10 up-and-coming artists and provide them with the guidance and resources that will help them find success. The Emerging Artists enjoy a host of benefits provided to them by FCA, including a complimentary booth, mentorship from renowned glass artist Duncan McClellan, professional marketing materials and photographs of their work, and the opportunity to exhibit and sell their creations to the over 10,000 visitors attending the festival. “This is a wonderful opportunity for these artists to move on to the next step in their career,” stated Florida CraftArt CEO, Jorge Vidal. “It is also a treat for the public to see and perhaps purchase works by a talented artist at this early stage.” Recent Florida CraftArt Emerging Artists have garnered attention on the international gallery circuit.
The Florida CraftArt Festival presenting sponsor is Red Apple Real Estate and The Residences at 400. The festival is co-sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation, with additional support for the festival from Tricera Capital, Raymond James and the Florida Division of Culture.
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