ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 Florida CraftArt will present \u201cNew Voices in Craft: Emerging Artists 2026,\u201d a group exhibition featuring eight early-career fine craft artists from across Florida whose work reflects the energy and promise of makers at pivotal moments in their creative paths. The exhibition will open on Jan. 10 and will continue through Jan. 24.<\/p>\n
An opening reception will take place on Saturday, Jan. 10, 6 to 8 p.m., in Florida CraftArt\u2019s downtown St. Petersburg gallery at 501 Central Ave.<\/p>\n
As the first exhibition of the new year, the show also serves as the opening celebration of Florida CraftArt\u2019s 75th anniversary year, ushering in a milestone season with new voices and new perspectives. \u201cNew Voices in Craft: Emerging Artists 2026\u201d will showcase new work across ceramics, printmaking, jewelry and metals, fiber, and glass.<\/p>\n
For collectors and craft enthusiasts alike, this exhibition offers a timely opportunity to discover artists as their creative voices are becoming fully defined: when their ideas are taking shape, their techniques deepening, and their careers actively unfolding. Supporting artists at this formative stage strengthens Florida\u2019s creative ecosystem while building meaningful connections between makers and audiences.<\/p>\n
Artists were selected through Florida CraftArt\u2019s annual Emerging Artist Program, a professional development initiative designed to nurture and accelerate the careers of promising craft artists statewide. Participants receive a comprehensive support package valued at more than $1,000, including an honorarium, personalized business mentoring, a professional photo session, printed promotional materials, gallery representation, and inclusion in a professionally produced group exhibition at Florida CraftArt.<\/p>\n
Participating artist Mary-Helen Horne describes the impact of the program:<\/p>\n
\u201cFlorida CraftArt\u2019s Emerging Artist Program has given me invaluable mentorship, marketing tools, and exposure,\u201d she said about the impact of the program, adding that it has been \u201can experience that truly elevated my practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fellow exhibitor Amanda Westenberg adds: \u201cThis program has been huge for me. The mentorship, the exposure, and being around artists I admire really pushed me in the best way. It helped me refine my lens while creating this recent body of work, and I\u2019m so excited to share it in the exhibition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Together, the artists in New Voices in Craft explore themes of lineage, memory, joy, environmental reflection, cultural identity, and material transformation \u2014 using both traditional and contemporary craft techniques to expand the expressive potential of their mediums.<\/p>\n
The 2026 Emerging Artists are Molly Duff-Clarke (St. Petersburg, ceramics), Mary-Helen Horne (Lutz, printmaking), Daria Kidd (St. Petersburg, jewelry\/metals), Rachel Kinbar (Winter Park, ceramics), Lisa Ramudo (Tampa, fiber), Fan Su (Bradenton, glass), Sofia Vidal (Boca Raton, ceramics\/jewelry), and Amanda Westenberg (St. Petersburg, ceramics).<\/p>\n
Florida CraftArt will soon open applications for the next Emerging Artist Program class (2026\u20132027), continuing its commitment to nurturing new voices in contemporary fine craft across the state. Artists interested in applying can find more information at floridacraftart.org<\/a>. For information about the program, visit floridacraftart.org\/artist-opportunities\/emerging-artist-program\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n