Emerging Artists Program opportunity kick starts careers
Application deadline: August 31, 2023
For Immediate Release August 8, 2023
Emerging Artists Program opportunity kick starts careers
Application deadline: August 31, 2023
To qualify for the program, artists must be Florida residents at the beginning of their professional art careers. They cannot have participated in an outdoor art festival or had a professional solo show. CEO of Florida CraftArt, Jorge Vidal, explains that "Emerging Artist" does not necessarily mean a young artist. Several artists in the past have been people who had other careers but concentrated on art later in life. For example, Mark Georgiades, a Florida Panhandle-based artist, was a mechanic who built and raced cars before retiring. After retirement, he used his welding skills to create dynamic metal sculptures. The Emerging Artist Program was a kickoff point to his professional art career, allowing him to show his work to a large audience of serious art collectors.
The Emerging Artists Program has proved to be a stepping stone for many up-and-coming artists. The opportunity has kickstarted many artistic careers, including ceramic artist Suzy Pease. “Through this marvelous program, I received valuable mentorship from the renowned glass artist and businessman Duncan McClellan,” says Pease. “I was also given a free booth at the festival, a session with professional photographer Brian James, and postcards of my work. I almost sold out of my work over the two-day festival and was able to keep 100 percent of the sales.”
Emerging artist Rebecca Stevens in 2022 also benefited from the program, making valuable connections with collectors, galleries, photographers, and other artists. FCA provided outstanding marketing and exposure for her through printed cards and social media promotion.
The Florida CraftArt Festival will be on November 18 and 19, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. It will be held at the crossroads of its location at 501 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. The deadline to apply for the Emerging Artists Program is August 31. Download the application here: https://floridacraftart.org/craftart/emerging-artist-application/
For more information, visit FloridaCraftArt.org or call (727) 821-7391. Florida CraftArt is a nonprofit organization founded in 1951 and headquartered in St. Petersburg. Its mission is to grow the statewide creative economy by engaging the community and advancing Florida’s fine craft artists and their work. Fine craft art is presented in its 2,500-square-foot Florida Artists Gallery, and curated exhibitions are featured in its adjacent Exhibition Gallery. Florida CraftArt is the only statewide organization offering artists a platform to show and sell their work.
CUTLINES (More images of work available on request.)
Mark Georgiades 2930.jpgFlorida Panhandle-based sculptor Mark Georgiades in his booth at the Florida CraftArt Festival.
Mark Georgiades-023Mark Georgiades created this life-size sculpture of a fairy from metal.
Mark Georgiades, HeronMark Georgiades used metal to weld this sculpture of a heron
Rebecca Stevens_2998
Emerging Artist Rebecca Stevens in her booth at the 2022 Florida CraftArt Festival
Rebecca-Stevens-067
A classic ceramic vase with sgraffito and gold glaze by Emerging Artist Rebecca Stevens.
Katie Deits
Director
Florida CraftArt
501 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Office: (727) 821-7391 Cell: (561) 351-7904
Florida CraftArt is a statewide, nonprofit organization. Our mission is to grow the statewide creative economy by engaging the community and advancing Florida’s fine craft artists and their work.