Good Folk Fest Featured visual Artists
Missionary Mary Proctor
Missionary Mary at Creative Clay’s Folkfest St. Pete in 2018.
Missionary Mary Proctor
Missionary Mary Proctor is a self-taught Florida artist known for her vibrant, storytelling assemblages. Using found objects like beads, buttons, and written messages, her work expresses a deeply personal and spiritual vision. After losing loved ones in a tragic fire in the 1990s, she received a spiritual call to “paint a door,” launching her artistic journey. Raised by religious grandparents, Mary views herself as a missionary, using art to share messages of faith, family, and life lessons. Mary runs her own museum and gallery in Tallahassee, Florida called the American Folk Art Museum & Gallery.
Her art has been exhibited at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore and is held in numerous museum and private collections across the United States. In 2005, Proctor’s work was featured in On Their Own: Selected Self-Taught Artists at the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum. She has also been recognized internationally, appearing on the cover of Raw Vision, the leading magazine for contemporary folk and outsider art.
Mary Proctor’s artwork is included in permanent collections at Asheville Art Museum (Asheville, NC), High Museum of Art (Atlanta, GA), Mennello Museum of American Art (Orlando, FL), Polk Museum of Art (Lakeland, FL), Morris Musuem of Art (Augusta, GA), St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts (St. Petersburg, FL), Smithsonian Institution Anacostia Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, NY), New Orleans Museum of Art (New Orleans, LA), and the California African American Museum (Los Angeles, CA).
Mary has a current exhibit, The Strength to Be Joyful, that opened Aug. 2 of her work at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, MD. Click here to read more.
Missionary Mary Proctor has exhibited at 14 Creative Clay events since 2007. We are thrilled to have her back for Good Folk Fest. Alcove 1.
“Cathartic” 9x12 Blood painting by Jenipher Chandley.
“Penelope” by Jenipher Chandley.
Jenipher Chandley
Jenipher Chandley is a highly accomplished and internationally recognized contemporary visual artist hailing from St. Petersburg, Florida. Working predominantly with oils, she has honed her craft to create stunning representational figurative artwork infused with elements of surrealism and symbolism. Her paintings delve into the intricate relationship between nature and the human condition, exploring themes of strength, beauty, loss, pain, and, above all, resilience.
With a boundless range of concepts and styles, Jenipher's art remains deeply human and relatable. She believes that art should reflect the complexity and ever-evolving nature of humanity itself. "Humans are complex and ever-changing, so our art should be as well," she eloquently expresses.
Jenipher's work can be experienced in her local city, gracing the walls of boutiques and galleries, as well as large-scale mural installations that carry profound messages of hope. By employing various mediums such as fashion, choreography, poetry, and public arts installations, she strives to amplify the healing power of art, fostering a deeper connection between individuals and their surroundings.
An ardent advocate for artistic expression, Jenipher has dedicated the past 12 years to working with numerous non-profit organizations and community initiatives. She passionately hosts a weekly Wednesday Night art meetup, providing a platform for local artists of all skill levels to come together and share their creativity, free of charge and without commission. Furthermore, she curates monthly shows that showcase the work of emerging artists, nurturing a vibrant artistic community.
In recognition of her exceptional talent, Jenipher has recently been honored with the 2023 Emerging Artist grant from Creative Pinellas. She has also been selected as the Local Artist Spotlight by the esteemed Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in Tampa, and featured as the local spotlight artist with the American Stage Theater in St. Petersburg. Her commitment to artistic excellence is further evident through her membership in esteemed organizations such as The Portrait Society of America and the Warehouse Arts District Association.
Jenipher Chandley's artistic journey transcends geographical boundaries, captivating audiences worldwide with her thought-provoking and emotionally resonant creations. Through her art, she illuminates the depth and richness of the human experience, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who encounter her work.
Jenipher will be located in Alcove 2 on the west side of the Coliseum.
Gina Kenney and Summer Elisabeth Artlink Poster
Artlink Team: Summer Elisabeth and Gina Kenney
Summer Elisabeth Kluytman and Gina Kenney were making videos together during Creative Clay’s studio time, where Gina has been a member artist since 2002. They posted their videos on Creative Clay’s YouTube Channel. One day, an anonymous donor and long-time supporter of Creative Clay watched their video, Wickie Wallie and the Chocolate Factory, a bold and quirky spinoff of the original conceived by Gina and brought into fruition by Summer.
Summer and Gina at the Dalí Museum. Part of the work of the team is to explore museums, galleries and exhibitions in our community to learn and for inspiration.
“For our Artlink project, Gina and I are currently working on an original song that she wrote, and we sing it together,” said Teaching Artist and Gina’s Artlink mentor Summer Elisabeth Kluytman. “This collaboration has been incredible, and our vibe is positive, empowering, and emotional. Gina has a remarkable way of expressing herself through her words, emotions, and feelings.”
You can find Summer and Gina at the “Memory Boxes” Make & Take tent in the circle of Make & Take tents at the Coliseum.
Artlink Takamatsu-St. Petersburg—Mail Art Show
Ashton holds his painting for the St. Petersburg Opera Company “Carmen” exhibit.
The Mail Art Project began in 2024, when artists from Heart Art Link Takamatsu and Creative Clay worked on a mail art exchange with 10 pairs of artists. They also worked on an amazing video exchange and created songs together. The giclees from the project, recently exhibited at the Morean Arts Center, will be at the Artlink Tent at Good Folk Fest.
Featured artists include:
Sugiyama Akihiro & Grace P.
Yamamoto Yuki & Aby Search
Furuchi Yuji & Christopher Joseph
Goro Ando (flower), Aoki Daisuke (watercolor) & Marquise Russ
Araoka Yuuichi/Akira Hanaoaka & Sydney Ray
Ootsuka Hiroki & Ivy Jenkins
Morii Yusei & Hanna Vogeler
Yamada Mana & Stephanie Parr
Yamamoto Kazuyuki & Ashton T.
Yutani Kazuki & Chris Coyle
Watch the videos from the project and read more about the 20-year history of the two agencies collaborative projects here.
Find the exhibit at the Artlink tent in the circle of tents at the Coliseum.
The Artists of Creative Clay: Iconic Landmarks of Tampa Bay
The Royal Theater by Ashton T.
Creative Clay’s Good Folk Gallery presents Iconic Landmarks of Tampa Bay exhibit and sale, featuring paintings by the artists of Creative Clay. Paintings inspired by this theme were first created in the studios in 2020 and are created, exhibited and sold each year at Creative Clay’s annual fundraising events. This anniversary year, the newest Iconic Landmark paintings are on exhibit and for sale in the Good Folk Galley alcove at the Coliseum during Good Folk Fest.
An annual calendar showcasing the artwork was produced in 2025 and the 2026 calendar is out now and for sale at Good Folk Fest. With the purchase of an Iconic Landmark painting the collector will receive a complimentary 2026 calendar.
The St. Petersburg Pier (Inverted Pyramid) by Marquise Russ
Artists receive 50% commission on all works sold. The member artists of Creative Clay are empowered to become active, working artists who create, exhibit, and sell their artwork in the Good Folk Gallery and at venues throughout Tampa Bay.
Find this exhibit in Alcove 8 on the east side of the Coliseum.
ARTicles Gallery
Owner LESLIE CURRAN has been a custom frame designer for over 30 years and is known in the area for her unique design perspective and innovation in the field. A lifelong resident, Leslie has worked tirelessly to make a difference in St Petersburg. As a former City Council member, she has served as a downtown pioneer and business leader. She currently serves as President of the EDGE Business District Association and is a representative on the Central Avenue Council.
Leslie has been a Creative Clay supporter and sponsor for over 20 years and continues to support the organization with her donations—-both financially and through the many beautiful frames and matboard she has donated to Creative Thrift throughout the years.
Leslie will be curating a special exhibit of artists to showcase in Alcove 5 on the west side of the Coliseum.
