Vision

Florida CraftArt announces Against the Grain, a curated exhibition celebrating the timeless art of woodworking while pushing the boundaries of tradition. This innovative exhibition highlights cutting-edge concepts, contemporary techniques, and the evolving relationship between function and form. Against the Grain seeks furniture, sculpture, utilitarian objects, and more. Each piece reveals the unique beauty of wood as a medium and the boundless creativity that skilled hands and meticulous craftsmanship can achieve.

Curated by Tampa-based furniture maker and artist Kurt Raschke, the exhibition will be on view at Florida CraftArt in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, showcasing contemporary wood artists from all over the nation.

Note: Against the Grain is a “hybrid” open-call and invitational exhibition, meaning that it will include a combination of artists invited directly by the curator and artists chosen from the open call-for-entry by the curator.

Guest Curator

Kurt Raschke is a Tampa, Florida-based furniture maker and artist. He holds a BFA in three-dimensional art from Georgia State University and completed a furniture-making intensive program at the Center for Furniture Craftmanship in Maine to hone his woodworking skills. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Florida School of Woodwork in Tampa.

Kurt's furniture and sculptural work have been exhibited nationally. His work is based on traditional techniques while creating modern designs. He loves to add fun, quirky touches to counteract the seriousness often associated with art. Kurt also teaches woodworking classes, takes on apprentices, and, on occasion, is recognized in public for his woodworking product videos.

Entry Fee

$25 for up to 3 works

Florida CraftArt Members: $15 for up to 3 works (Contact gallery@floridacraftart.org for Member Discount Code. Become a Florida CraftArt member: floridacraftart.org/membership)

Dates & Deadlines

Submission Deadline: Friday, July 18 at 11:59pm MT

Acceptance Notification via Email: By Monday, August 4

Signed Exhibition Contract: Due by Friday, August 22 via email to gallery@floridacraftart.org.

Artwork Receiving:

• In person: Sunday, August 31; Tuesday, September 2; or Wednesday, September 3 during regular business hours (10am-5:30pm). No appointment needed.
• Shipping: Must be received by Friday, August 29. (Artist is responsible for incoming and outgoing shipping costs.)

Exhibition Dates: September 13-October 25, 2025

Opening Reception & Award Announcements: Saturday, September 13, 6-8pm

Artwork Pick-Up:

• In person: Sunday, October 26 (12-5pm), Monday, October 27 (10am-5:30pm), or Tuesday, October 28 (10am-5:30pm). No appointment needed.
• Shipping: Artwork will be shipped back within 7 days of the close of the exhibition, once artist has paid for return shipping costs.

Questions? Contact gallery@floridacraftart.org or call 727-821-7391.

About Florida CraftArt: Florida CraftArt (FCA) is a member-supported, statewide 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg’s arts and culture district. Fine craft artwork by more than 200 Florida-based artists is presented in the 2,500-square-foot retail gallery and in the adjacent exhibition space, which features curated exhibitions and programming. FCA’s goal is to elevate fine craft as a recognized economic generator for Florida, nurture emerging artists, exhibit and promote fine craft artists, provide high-quality exhibitions, and broaden educational programming for the community.

Application Requirements

1. Applications must be submitted online through Friday, July 18 at 11:59pm MT via CallforEntry.org. Late applications will not be accepted.
2. Each artist may submit up to 3 artworks for consideration. You must submit one photograph of the full artwork. You may also include up to 2 detail/alternate angle photographs. See CaFÉ images requirements here.
3. With each artwork submission, there is a description field. Please include title, materials, year made, and retail price (55% of retail price goes to the artist, 45% goes to FCA).
4. Provide a short biography and artist statement with your application.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Guidelines

1. Open to artists living in the United States.
2. All artwork must include wood as the primary medium but may include other media as well. (Contact gallery@floridacraftart.org if you have questions about media eligibility.)
3. All artwork must be original in concept, design, and execution. Small production studio work will be considered. Work created in a class, workshop, or from a kit or purchased pattern is not eligible.
4. Artwork must be made within the last 5 years.
5. Artwork previously exhibited with FCA will not be considered.
6. Artwork images submitted with the application may be used by FCA for marketing and promotional purposes only. Reproduction rights and copyright of artwork remains exclusively with the artist.

Guidelines for Accepted Artwork

1. Each accepted artwork must arrive with labeling (artist name, artwork title, media, retail price) securely affixed to the artwork or its packaging.
2. Artwork must arrive ready to install or with limited assembly. If artwork requires special installation considerations, you must contact gallery@floridacraftart.org prior to delivery.
3. Artists who are shipping work are responsible for all shipping costs to and from FCA, including insurance, which is strongly encouraged.
4. No substitutions for accepted artwork will be allowed.
5. FCA reserves the right to decline display of artwork that arrives damaged, poorly constructed, inaccurately represented, or inadequately prepared for installation. In these cases, artist will be responsible for pick-up or return shipping costs.
6. All artwork must remain in possession of FCA and on display until October 25, 2025.
7. FCA will insure artwork for 55% of the retail value while in FCA’s possession on consignment. Artists are strongly encouraged to purchase shipping insurance when shipping artwork to or from FCA.

Sales

• FCA reserves the exclusive right to sell all for-sale artwork in FCA’s possession at the retail price provided by the artist. It is the artist’s responsibility to contact FCA if the artwork is not for sale (NFS).
• Commission Rate: Artist will receive 55% of the retail price provided by the artist. FCA will receive 45% of the retail price.
• Payment: FCA will pay the artist for sold artwork by the end of the month following the sale via mailed paper check to the address listed on the artist’s contract.
• Display of Sold Artwork: Sold artwork must remain on display for the duration of the exhibition.
• Delivery of Sold Artwork: FCA will contact purchaser regarding artwork delivery after the conclusion of the exhibition. FCA will ship artwork to purchaser at the purchaser’s expense.
• Member Discounts: FCA retains the right to offer a discount to FCA members, which, if applicable, shall only be deducted from FCA’s portion of the sale.