Meet Katie Deits
Katie Deits is a multimedia artist whose work spans photography, figurative sculpture, and painting. She holds a fine arts degree from the University of South Florida, and her artwork has been widely exhibited.
In 2007, she was awarded the South Florida Cultural Consortium Fellowship for Palm Beach County, and her abstract series was featured at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Miami. In 2023, she received The Muse Art Ambassador Award in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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Katie has taught at Barry University, Palm Beach State College, and The Society of the Four Arts. A seasoned curator and member of the International Association of Art Critics, she has organized numerous exhibitions. She served as CEO of Florida CraftArt, a statewide nonprofit in St. Petersburg, from 2016 to 2023, and as Executive Director of the Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum & School of Art from 2009 to 2015.
In addition to her studio practice, which includes daily painting, drawing, study, and writing,
Katie is a certified grant writer and consultant for nonprofit organizations.
My Story
In 2023, I was honored with The Muse Award by the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance. I sincerely appreciate this lovely article that Brandy Stark wrote for the Northeast Journal in St. Petersburg:
In the heart of the downtown business district, nestled in a historic building that was once known as Rutland’s Department Store, stands Florida CraftArt. As a statewide, nonprofit organization, Florida CraftArt’s mission is to grow Florida’s creative economy by engaging the community and advancing fine craft artists with their works. It’s a big mission, and the woman behind it is Chief Executive Officer Katie Deits. “The best part of my position as CEO is feeling like I am making a difference in the lives of artists and bringing the joy of art to the community with the gallery, exhibitions, and educational programming,” she says. But “bringing the joy of art” to people requires boundless energy and a keen business acumen. “I work with board members to establish and monitor fiscal goals, fundraise, and write grants, and engage donors and artists. I create marketing, public relations, and social media. Exhibition planning and programming are also my responsibility, with input from the staff and committee, and I also oversee the Florida CraftArt Festival.”Business aside, however, creativity is a huge part of Deits’s life. “When I’m not at Florida CraftArt working, I am probably at an art opening, an art workshop, visiting an artist, a gallery, or a museum, and writing and posting about the experience,” she says. “Or I’m in my home studio working on my art, writing, or studying about art history or techniques.”Art is quite literally a part of her heritage. Her father, Willis Deits, was a professional photographer. He settled with Katie, an only child, and her mother, Eloise, in Palm Beach in 1960. Here, she gained recognition for her art skills and before she graduated high school, one of her works – a painting of “a six-foot-tall girl in a bikini standing like an Egyptian figure” – was exhibited at the Norton Museum of Art.Deits attended the University of South Florida in 1967, working summers at The Palm Beach Post in the photography and art departments. She was also part of a program with Finch College that allowed her to spend nine months in New York City attending cultural events, including the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival. As a senior, Deits studied in Florence, Italy, later traveling solo across Europe to visit all the major museums before returning to America.Back home, Deits worked in the photographic darkroom of the National Enquirer where she met her husband, Vincent Eckersley, an English photographer. They wed in 1975 and, with her father, created “a commercial photography business called Camera Graphics. We did aerial photography from light planes and helicopters, architectural, corporate, product, fashion, food, and many other types of photography.”Camera Graphics eventually became the largest studio in Palm Beach County. The couple had two children and, during this time, Deits was also awarded the Florida Degree of Photographic Excellence and a Masters of Photography by the Professional Photographers of America. After passing the PPA exam, Deits became a Certified Professional Photographer.“As an artist, my personal work has usually been tied to social justice or environmental issues in some way,” she says. One of the most meaningful endeavors for her was the 2020 play that she co-wrote called The Art of Healing that was part of the Florida CraftArt Inside the World of Public Art exhibit. The plays produced through this project emphasized the St. Petersburg Celebration of the Arts’ theme of tolerance and acceptance and are now being used for diversity and inclusion training by the Florida Bar Association.The passing of her father and husband, along with the rise of digital photography, moved Deits to a different place in life. She worked as an editor at The Palm Beach Post and taught photography at Palm Beach State College and Barry University, as well as the Lighthouse ArtCenter in Tequesta, Florida, where she was later appointed executive director. The art center was in a negative financial position, so Deits joined the Association of Fundraising Professionals and studied for and passed the exam to be a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).“In whatever job or endeavor I am in, I always work to receive extra education and certification in the field,” says Deits. “Doing so not only gives me the knowledge to do the job better, it also gives more credence to my position and ability.”Her years of dedication, experience, and hard work recently earned Deits the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance’s Muse Award as an Arts Ambassador. She was nominated by Mary Anna Murphy, who is an exhibition designer and member of Florida CraftArt.“Katie Deits was an obvious choice to win the 2023 MUSE Ambassador Award. Katie exemplifies the energy, innovation, and inspiration that the St. Petersburg arts community is known for throughout our region,” said Terry Marks, CEO of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance. “She is a passionate advocate of the arts, and if you have ever been to Florida CraftArt, you will be taken by the high level of artistry that is exhibited in this gallery. As a city of the arts, we are grateful that Katie lends outstanding leadership to our community.” “It was such a terrific honor to be selected for the Muse Award, and I intend to continue to do what I’ve been doing in helping to publicize and promote the Tampa Bay art community,” says Deits. “I want to continue to develop, curate, and present quality exhibitions. I want to connect with and engage the local and statewide community with interesting and educational programming related to our exhibitions to retain our current audience and attract new ones.”Deits shows zero signs of slowing down. Her other goals include bringing in more statewide artists and expanding the volunteer base for Florida CraftArt to help with day-to-day operations.Does she have any advice for both established and emerging local artists?“Create something artistic every day, whether it is a quick sketch, a painting, a poem, short story, or working on a project,” says Deits. “Connect with your artistic community and discuss your work with others. Believe in yourself and study your art your entire life. Keep the passion for your art burning in your soul. Help and mentor others.”
Exhibitions
In addition to exhibiting my personal art, I also curate exhibitions and serve as a juror.
2025
“Faces of Addiction,” and “Once Upon a Time,” Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, Fla.
“Strada Easel Daily Challenge-January,” online
“South Florida Fair Paint Out,” West Palm Beach, Fla.
“Big & Bold,” Artists of Palm Beach County, Car Team USA, Stuart, Fla.
“Plein Air Paintings,” MacArthur Park, North Palm Beach, Fla.
“Our Jupiter,” New Studio for the Visual Arts,” Jupiter, Fla.
“Art from the Heart,” Cugini Gallery, Lake Worth Beach, Fla.
“Plein Air Festival, Paint Out,” Lighthouse ArtCenter, Tequesta, Fla.
Juror, Tarpon Springs Art Festival, Tarpon Springs, Fla.
“A Place to Call Home,” Resource Depot, West Palm Beach, Fla.
“Showcase,” New Studio for the Visual Arts,” Jupiter, Fla.
“Woof, Meow, Chirp, & Slither,” APBC, Cugini Gallery, Lake Worth Beach, Fla.
“Mother,” Women’s Caucus for Art, Hickman Theatre, Gulfport, Fla.
“VIP Exhibition,” Artists of Palm Beach County, Lake Worth Beach, Fla.
Juror, "Uncommon Threads," The Court House Cultural Center, Stuart, Fla.
2024
“The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sculpture,” Woodson Museum of African American Art, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Juror, “ArtsFest,” MartinArts, Stuart, Fla.
“Strada Easel Daily Challenge-January,” online
“Fired Up,” Artists of Palm Beach County, RISE Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.
“Fiber exhibit,” Florida State Fair, Tampa, Fla.
“Artists of Palm Beach County Annual Members Exhibit,” Box Gallery, West Palm Beach, Fla.
“Black and White,” Women’s Caucus for Art, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Fla.
“American Roulette: A Novel Approach to Conversations About Gun Violence,” Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center, Carlisle, Penn.
“Threads of Nature: Inspired by the Florida Botanical Gardens,” The Gallery at Creative Pinellas, Largo, Fla.
“Wow,” Women’s Caucus for Art, The Art House, Casselberry, Fla.
“New Members Exhibition,” Artists of Palm Beach County, Lake Park Library, Lake Park, Fla.
“Creative Perspectives,” Artists of Palm Beach County, Cugini Gallery, Lake Worth Beach, Fla.
“Strada Easel Daily Challenge-September,” online
2023
“Black Art Matters,” Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa, Fla.
“Strada Easel Daily Challenge-January,” online
“En Plein Air,” Florida State Fair, Tampa, Fla.
“Plein Air Paintings,” DRV Gallery, St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Psychedelic,” Morean Art Center, St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Ghost Stories,” curated by Catherine Bergmann, Florida CraftArt, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Strada Easel Challenges, online
“Plein Air Painting,” Florida State Fair, Tampa, Fla.
“Tampa Bay Surface Design Exhibition,” Morean Art Center, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Juror, “Arts for a Cause,” DVR Gallery, St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Black and White,” Women’s Caucus for Art, Art House, Casselberry, Fla.
“The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sculpture,” Woodson Museum of African American Art,
St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Strada Easel Daily Challenge-September,” online
2022
“Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows,” Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, Fla.
“Sunflowers for Ukraine,” Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, Fla.
“Dia de Los Muertos,” Atelier de SoSi, St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Feline,” Atelier de SoSi, St. Petersburg, Fla.
“St. Pete Classic,” Bella Unica, St. Pete Beach, Fla.
“Members’ Show,” Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota, Fla.
2021
“Dia de Los Muertos,” Atelier de SoSi, St. Petersburg, Fla.
“The Awakening of America,” Third Place and Banned, Florida State Fair, Tampa, Fla.
2020
“Artists as Activists,” Florida CraftArt, St. Petersburg, Fla.
2019
“It’s only human – figurative show,” Crealde, Winter Park, Fla.
2018
“Community Art Show,” Studio@620, St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Buddhist-themed Art Exhibition,” Florida CraftArt, St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Dia de los Muertos: A Celebration of Life,” Florida CraftArt, St. Petersburg, Fla.
2017
“As I Think,” Sculpture, Florida CraftArt, St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Members’ Show,“ Florida CraftArt, St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Members’ Show,” Morean Art Center, St. Petersburg, Fla.
2013
"County Contemporary: All Media Juried Show," Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, Lake Worth, Fla.
“Mother Ocean Exhibition,” Lighthouse ArtCenter School of Art, Tequesta, Fla.
2012
“Visions of Asia,” Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery at Midtown, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
“PBC:ART!” Juried exhibition, Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, Lake Worth, Fla.
“The Rite of Spring,” Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery at Midtown, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
“Faculty Exhibition,” Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum, Tequesta, Fla.
“ArtyBras 2012”. Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum, Tequesta, Fla.
“Art of Association,” Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum, Tequesta, Fla
2011
“Artists’ Guild on the Go,” Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Jupiter, Fla.
"ArtyBras 2011," Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum, Tequesta, Fla.
Midtown Gallery, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
“Landscape,” Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum, Tequesta, Fla.
2010
“Bravo,” Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum, Tequesta, Fla
“Landscape,” Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum, Tequesta, Fla
2009
Clay, Stone, Metal and Glass Gallery, Lake Worth, Fla.
“Contemporary Text in Clay,” NCECA, Roman Galleries at ArtSpace, Scottsdale, Ariz.
“Out of the Fire,” Palm Beach Gardens City Hall, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
“Clay Energy,” Eaton Fine Art, West Palm Beach, Fla.
“Nexus: Science + Art,” Scripps Institute Florida, Jupiter, Fla.“12x12,” ArtServe, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
“Fem-Art Invitational Exhibition,” Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Fla.
“Doing Business As…”- Gallery Six, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
2008
“Genesis” Photo-drawing, National Photography and Digital Imaging Competition, Palm Beach Community College. Juried by Dr. Terry Barrett (Prof. Ohio State University and author)
“Artificium” Photography. Katie Deits and Walter Hnatysh, Palm Beach Photographic Centre Museum, Delray Beach, Fla..
“FOCA, juried exhibition,” West Palm Beach, Fla.
“South Florida Cultural Consortium Exhibition,” MOCA at Goldman Warehouse, Miami, Fla.
2007
(April-May) “Looking down,” Lake Park Library, Lake Park, Fla.
“Transpersonal Mysteries,” One-person exhibit, Palm Beach Community College Eissey Theater, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
“Dr. Rev. King: The Path to Freedom,” Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Palm Beach Community
College, Lake Worth, Fla.
2006
“20/20 Juried Exhibition, “ Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.
2005 “
Social Intercourse-Conversations on Society,” (Sculpture), Art Center South Florida, Miami Beach, Fla. (October-November 2005)
“Around the Block, Around the World,” Photography exhibition, Florida Atlantic University Library, John D. MacArthur Campus, Jupiter, Fla.
“As I Think,” Sculpture: All Florida Juried Competition and Exhibit, Boca Museum of Art, Boca Raton, Fla.
“Kapok Tree on Lake Trail,” Infrared Photograph, InFocus Exhibition, Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Delray Beach, Fla.
“Discovery,” Color Photograph, “By Land and By Sea,” Group Exhibition, Palm Beach International Airport
“Great Plate Affair,” Coral Springs Museum, Coral Springs, Fla.
“Mad Teapot Affair,” The Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.
“Bright Sights-Group Show,” (Four large photographs), Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach, Fla.
2004
“As I think” Sculpture, Greenfield Gallery Group Sculpture Exhibition, The Armory Arts Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.
“Imagine, Paris 2003,” (Photograph also used for exhibition announcement) and “Love is in the eye of the beholder,” InFocus Group Exhibition, Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Delray Beach, Fla.
2002
“Around the Block, Around the World,” Photography and Sculpture, Solo Exhibition, The Governors Club, West Palm Beach, Fla.
2001
“Down at the Corner Store,” Black and white photograph, InFocus Group Exhibition, Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Delray Beach, Fla.
2000
'Katie Deits Biography Box," Ceramics, Palm Beach Community College Exhibition, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
"Thirty years on the street," Photography Exhibition, Eissey Theater, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
1999
"Two Visions," Drawings, Poems, Photographs, Sculpture and Paintings by Deits and Ayres, Eissey Theater, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
1998
"Friends and Famous Faces," Photography Exhibition, Eissey Theater, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
1996
“Women and their loved ones," Solo Exhibition, Eissey Theater, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
1993
“I am not alone," Color photograph, Epcot Exhibition, Disney World, Orlando, Fla.
“Friends and Famous Faces,” One-person show, The Governors Club, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
561-351-7904