Keith Matter is the publisher and editor of The Artisan Magazine, a publication based in St. Petersburg, Florida, that celebrates local arts, culture, and innovation. Through his work, he highlights the vibrant creative scene in the area, providing a platform for artists, cultural events, and unique ventures. The Artisan Magazine has grown to become a key voice in promoting the rich artistic and cultural landscape of the west coast of Florida, helping foster a deeper appreciation for the area's artistic endeavors​. He has a B.S. degree in journalism from Towson State University in Baltimore, MD.

Experienced Curator of Collections with a demonstrated history of working in the museums and institutions industry. Skilled in Archival Research, History of Photography, Curatorial Projects, Photography, and Museums. Strong arts and design professional with a Master of Arts (MA) focused in Photographic Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University/George Eastman House.

Multi-hatted creative type: designer, editor, writer, curator, artist. Extensive experience in artwork curation, collecting and consultation, magazine production, branding/identity, copy writing, production of marketing collateral, and art direction. Currently with Soft Water Gallery in Saint Petersburg, Fl.

Deborah is a Tampa native and University of Tampa alumna, is a new columnist for The Artisan Magazine, a Watermark Online, a Florida Women Magazine reporter, and a Broadway World – Tampa theatre reviewer.

Poet, photographer, and bandleader Thomas Sayers Ellis is the author of The Maverick Room and Skin, Inc.: Identity Repair Poems. He co-founded The Dark Room Collective and The Dark Room Reading Series in 1989 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has published, both poems and photographs, in numerous magazines and journals, including The Paris Review, Tin House, Poetry, The Sun, The Nation, and Best American Poetry (1997, 2001, 2010, 2015). In 2015, he co-founded Heroes Are Gang Leaders, a literary Free Jazz band of artists who were awarded the American Book Award for Oral Literature in 2018. He is the recipient of a Guggenheim fellowship in Poetry. Crank Shaped Notes was published by Arrowsmith Press in 2021. In 2023, TSE was named the first Photo Laureate of St. Petersburg, Florida. He writes a bi-monthly column for The Artisan Magazine and his most recent book is Paradise Paradise Layered. In 2024, a solo exhibition was held at The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) in Tampa. View the exhibition: https://spmop.org/online-exhibitions

Professional Actress, Writer (Playwright/ Historical Novel/ Articles,Interviews) Professor (Acting/Playwriting) As an actress, Ms. Sorbello's roles have ranged from those in Shakespeare to Contemporary playwrights in theatres primarily in New England, across the U.S. and briefly, in New York. Her film/TV work includes Independent films, and a few higher profile offerings such as Invention of Lying and See Kate Run,a Disney project. Ms. Sorbello has one book published, Daughter of Liberty, as well as poetry, and several articles for New England Film and Actors Equity Newsletter. As a playwright, she was the recent recipient of the Honegger Prize for Best Short/ New Works Festival. Her work has been staged at the New Market International Festival in Canada and the Boston Theatre Marathon, among other venues. In Florida, her work has been seen in the Odyssey Shorts Festival, held at Asolo Theatre, Sarasota, the Tampa Bay Festival, and in St. Pete at The Studio 620 Radio Hour. A professor of Acting/ Playwriting (20 years) she was also the Director of the Emerging Playwright Program, a grant funded writing program for inner city High School students, associated with Wheelock Theatre.

Markus Gottschlich is a dedicated nonprofit executive and arts advocate with a passion for cultivating educational programs that broaden access to arts opportunities for diverse audiences. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Warehouse Arts District Association in St. Petersburg, Florida, Markus plays a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant artistic community. He supports and promotes local artists and initiatives that enrich the district’s cultural tapestry, creating culturally unique programming that engages and inspires the community.

John Curtis and Mary Khosh support the St. Petersburg Art’s Alliance and promoting the benefits of arts for seniors in the community. They are working to encourage St. Pete’s artistic seniors to join the St. Pete Arts Alliance.

Art Critic and curator. antonio.permuy@gmail.com

Paul Wilborn is executive director of the Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College, where he programs dance, chamber music, jazz, blues, comedy and other performances. His fiction collection, Cigar City: Tales From a 1980s Creative Ghetto, won the Gold Medal for Fiction in the 2019 Florida Book Awards. His debut novel, Florida Hustle, released in June, earned a coveted “starred review” from Kirkus Reviews. Both books are published by St. Petersburg Press. A pianist and singer, he produced and performed his American Songbook Series for 10 years at American Stage. and headlined major events around Tampa Bay with his band, Paul Wilborn and the Pop Tarts. He lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, the film actor and teacher, Eugenie Bondurant.

President at Doubletake Studios, Inc. Lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida. From Newcomerstown, Ohio

James Briggs is the co-founder of Carroway + Rose, a creative public relations firm that focuses primarily on the intersection of art and business. Prior to the founding of Carroway + Rose, Briggs spent more than 20 years working with some of the largest clients in the world, including Pfizer, GE, Johnson & Johnson, Wells Fargo and AT&T. Now he specializes in working with smaller organizations that make up the fabric of communities, including the Carter G. Woodson museum and the Brenda McMahon art gallery.

Matthew McGee is an actor known for Misconceptions (2008), Waiting on Mary (2016) and Life's Rewards (2021). Currently at freeFall Theater in St. Petersburg, FL At freeFall we are committed to improving the lives of the citizens of Tampa Bay through our efforts to provide broad access to theatre that represents a high level of artistic achievement, and through enrichment programs that increase the community’s understanding and enjoyment of live theatre.

Julie is a self-taught abstract painter and primarily uses shades of black and white to depict her sensual images and hopes you feel an emotion when you view her work. Julie is also co-curator of the monthly guest art exhibit that takes place in the main gallery.

Journalist, media relations, book editor and public relations specialist. She has a degree in Journalism from the University of New Mexico, and currently owns Farrell Communications, Inc., She recently was awarded the Excellence in Writing award from Religion Communicators’ Council.

Certified Cicerone at level 1, owner of Curated Craft Experiences, LLC.

Danni is a writer & photographer living in Miami, Florida. She has shot for and assisted in studios in numerous cities in Florida. She attended Florida International University in Miami.

Journalist - Graduated from USF in 2004 with a degree in Art History. Worked professionally in the local art scene for years as a gallery manager and curator.

Carl DiOrio is a longtime journalist — and music lover. He can be reached at carldiorio@gmail.com

General Manager of the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC). The center was created as a cultural centerpiece where the arts can be enjoyed, celebrated, and taught – enriching the lives of people in the community. NTPAC opened to the public in 2023 and is owned and operated by Hillsborough County as a function of Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation.

Susana Darwin is a lifelong political activist and filmmaker who spent decades in Chicago developing cat-herding skills in educational and reference publishing and the law. In 2018, she moved with her wife to St. Petersburg, a notably film-supportive city, where she made her second and third short films. Longer (2020; 11 minutes) appeared in 28 festivals, and Flag Act (2023; 10 minutes) is currently on the festival circuit. She is at work on several short and feature-length screenplays, in addition to other forms of visual art and a novel.

Stacie Steinke is a vocal professional who teaches, directs and produces shows with a nostalgic bent in the Tampa Bay Area with her ensemble, Festive Florida Singers. Since studying opera in Washington, DC at the Catholic University of America, Stacie has performed in opera, musical theater and oratorio regionally and throughout the US and in Mexico.

Writer. Studied at Indiana University.

Writer, editor and graphic designer with a passion for crafting stories that matter.

Broker Associate at Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc. and Owner, Brightwaters Consulting Inc.

Currently the President of Saint Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District Association – a vibrant and diverse cultural center – he has helped to shape the area through active leadership advocacy in the arts and an understanding of the need for community involvement.