About the Artist

Crystal King is an artist from Pensacola, FL specializing in beadwork and jewelry-making. Crystal primarily works in bead embroidery and bead weaving and often uses glass seed beads, gemstones, shells, crystals, and natural fibers to create unique, wearable pieces. She is an avid collector of stones, seashells, and vintage glass beads. Each bead is individually stitched and comes together to tell a story within the finished piece. Crystal views the arranging of these elements as a contemplative art form, allowing for an emergent dialog between material, environment, and artist. Her art seeks to reflect the culture of the Gulf Coast and the beauty of the surrounding natural environment. Crystal has been working with beads since childhood and enjoys exploring new ways to incorporate beadwork into her art practice.  

Crystal recently graduated from UF, majoring in the Arts in Medicine M.A. program. She previously received an undergraduate degree in Philosophy at UCF and is currently a doctoral candidate at Drew University in the Medical and Health Humanities program. Her dissertation work focuses on the role and meaning of visual arts in post-hurricane recovery. It is her passion to use her love of the arts and its many forms to help others and she enjoys working with children, patients, seniors, and military populations in art and education programs across the panhandle. Crystal has completed a practicum in ethics at Atlantic Health System, and in arts and medicine at Sacred Heart Hospital, where she was able to bring participatory art to children and families in the Pediatric ER and the Pediatric Infusion Unit. She currently works at the Foley Art Center and has previously worked for First City Art Center, the City of Foley Museums, the UWF Historic Trust, and is an alumni of the AmeriCorps program. Crystal is an active member of many local and national arts organizations, including the South Baldwin Museum Foundation and the National Organization of Arts in Health.