Background:

Florida Craftsmen Gallery is the headquarters and showplace for the statewide nonprofit organization, Florida Craftsmen, Inc. Florida Craftsmen is 47 years old, and the gallery and headquarters were established in St. Petersburg in 1986. Florida Craftsmen's mission is to broaden publicunderstanding and appreciation of fine craft and to encourage professionalism and high aesthetic standards among Florida's craft artists.

Kinds of crafts sold:

fine, contemporary handmade crafts in clay, wood, fiber, glass, metal, mixed media and jewelry

Currently looking for:

work by Florida artists for the retail space, and work by artists from around the country for consideration for the exhibition gallery

Prime customers:

"Everyone!" says Lorissa J. Hallenbeck, gallery director. "Locals and visitors purchase year-round; [they're both] men and women of all ages."

Signature crafts:

fine contemporary craft produced by Floridians

Exhibitions:

Local, regional and national artists are considered for solo, group and theme exhibitions. Exhibition proposals are reviewed annually by a committee. "We try to find or create exhibits that will inspire artists and excite the general public about contemporary craft art," says Hallenbeck.

Artists are found through:

mostly by word of mouth; Hallenbeck says the gallery gets quite a bit of exposure in Florida and is well-known and respected.

Pricing:

$3-$4,000. All prices are set by the artists.

GALLERY OWNERS:

Would you like your gallery to be considered for inclusion in Gallery Profiles? If you are looking to attract new artists and new work, and you have professional slides or transparencies of your gallery, send your background information and images to: The Crafts Report attention: Gallery Profile 300 Water St. Wilmington, DE 19801.

Purchase/consignment:

All work in the gallery is consigned; Florida Craftsmen retains a 50 percent commission.

Best-selling price points:

$25-$200

Gallery size:

2,000 square feet

Number of artists currently represented:

The work of more than 100 artists is shown in the retail space annually. The annual members holiday show features approximately 200 artists; exhibition space varies.

Non-craft items sold:

exhibition catalogs and postcards, logo T-shirts and baseball-style caps

Services offered to customers:

knowledgeable staff and volunteers; invitation mailing for all exhibition receptions and special events; artist information cards; packing and shipping; layaway; gift registry; workshops and demonstrations; free gallery lectures; and a fall outdoor craft show in Tampa. Members receive a discount on gallery purchases, workshops, annual conference fees and more. (Membership is open to anyone who wishes to support the organization: artists, collectors, teachers, students, institutions, etc.)

Gallery location:

on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, in the hub of a downtown renaissance of galleries, museums and the waterfront. The building also houses artists' studios on the second floor.

To submit work to the gallery:

Floridians are eligible to apply for the jury selection process, says Hallenbeck. Non-Floridians may submit slide proposals for exhibition consideration. Year-round exhibitors must be members of Florida Craftsmen, Inc. Contact the gallery for more information.

Why selling crafts:

"Selling crafts is one way to fulfill the mission of Florida Craftsmen, Inc.," says Hallenbeck. "It provides a professional structure for craft artists living and working in Florida and a way for us to educate the public about appreciating, collecting and living with fine contemporary craft."

Kirsten Coughlin is editorial assistant of The Crafts Report.

JANUARY 2000: TABLE OF CONTENTS