The Abstrakt Arts Foundation is a nonprofit started by Abstrakt's leaders for two reasons: to give St. Louis artists the exposure they deserve, and to raise money that supports kids who are interested in the arts. It runs ArtFusion Gallery on Laclede's Landing, a monthly artist award broadcast on FOX 2 and a six-category competition called the Art Olympics.[1, 2, 4, 11]
Abstrakt started the foundation to do two things: get local artists the exposure that turns talent into a living, and raise money to support kids who are interested in the arts. Every show, award and competition the foundation runs serves one or both. (Scott Scully, Executive Chairman, October 2026.)
Exposure is the part Abstrakt knows best. The gallery, the monthly award on FOX 2 and the Art Olympics all put an artist's work in front of buyers, press and new fans, and the money those events raise goes back into the arts. Abstrakt's headquarters is at 701 N. 1st Street on Laclede's Landing, ArtFusion Gallery events are listed at the same address, and three Abstrakt leaders sit on the foundation's board.[2, 10, 16]
The foundation spells out how it pays off for artists: a platform, exposure and sales for artists, vendors and performers. It also sets out to teach artists at every stage of their careers how to market themselves.[1] On its Get Involved page it puts the aim in three lines: art should be "visible, not hidden", "accessible, not occasional" and "sustainable, not seasonal".[5]
The link to Abstrakt is practical, not just a logo. Abstrakt Marketing Group designs the year-long marketing campaign that Art Olympics winners receive, valued by the foundation at $7,000, and built the foundation's website.[1, 3] That is the same work Abstrakt does for its clients: get the right people to notice, then keep them coming back.
It is a separate organization with its own donors and its own contact details.[5] Read its mission in full. Abstrakt's company-wide volunteering runs through Give Back Day.
Friday, November 13, 2026, 5 to 10 p.m. · 701 N. 1st Street, Laclede's Landing[16]
The foundation's next listed event is a one-night show on two levels of the building, paired with the second Fall Fashion Show on Laclede's Landing and run in partnership with YOROStyles. Giada Gishti and Davide Weaver curate the exhibition.[16]
Eventbrite lists tickets from $12.51 to $55.20. The $50 VIP ticket includes front-row seats for the fashion show, paid secure parking, two drink tickets and one chef's culinary item. Guests under 18 need a parent or legal guardian.[16]
A gallery on Laclede's Landing that FOX 2 described in May 2025 as "a project of the Abstrakt Arts Foundation".[7] The foundation plans four curated exhibitions a year, with weekend openings, artist talks, performances and workshops between them.[5] It sells original work by featured St. Louis artists, so a sale goes to a local artist. See available artworks.
Launched with FOX 2's Studio STL in early 2026 to unite local galleries behind the artists shaping the city's culture.[4, 9] Winners are picked for community impact as well as artistic excellence, get a live four-minute interview on Studio STL and join a group show each January. Nominate an artist.[4]
A juried competition in six categories, built around the ArtFusion event series.[3] Preliminary rounds were scheduled at Kranzberg Arts Foundation venues in Grand Center, with a Battle of the Bands at the National Blues Museum. Judges come from regional universities, colleges and local businesses. Read about the Art Olympics.[3, 13]
At events, Non-Profit Row gives St. Louis charities a dedicated space to meet attendees, raise awareness and build connections.[1] Read more on the foundation's community involvement page.
The gallery lists 19 original works by nine artists, priced from $300 to $7,500, and says each purchase invests directly in a local artist.[12] A selection is below, with prices as listed on October 12, 2026. Check the available artworks page for what is still for sale, or book a collector preview.
Each winner was announced live on Studio STL on KTVI FOX 2. Bios are summarized from the foundation's announcements.[4]
Free and open to the public. Galleries and arts nonprofits within 30 miles of downtown are invited to nominate, and are credited for it. Nominees must be 18 or older and live within 30 miles of downtown. Three nominations for one artist in a month is an automatic win.
A panel of artist-supporting businesses narrows the field on artistic merit, community impact and cultural contribution.
Three art professionals vote. The winner is announced live on Studio STL on KTVI FOX 2 at 9 a.m., re-airing at noon.
Nominations close at noon on the 10th of each month. The form asks what positive impact the artist has had on St. Louis in the last 12 months, and how often.[4]
The award is made possible by, as listed by the foundation: Abstrakt, The Cobblestone STL, Studio STL, FOX 2, Swade Cannabis Dispensary, Mighty Kind, Triad Bank, APC Integrated Services Group, Infinity Wealth Advisors, Raeder Place, Davide Art, Milque Toast, The Dave Glover Show, Soulard Art Gallery, and individual supporters.[4]
The foundation built the Art Olympics so that artists learn to market themselves: judges' votes count for 51% and crowd votes for 49%, and preliminary winners need at least 50% crowd participation to advance.[3] Preliminary rounds were free to attend.
Art Wars live painting battles alongside DJ sets, plus sculpture, wall art (canvas, screen printing and photography) and hand-blown glass.
Competition directorJonnie Williams, a Central West End native who launched the Noticed Art Expo in 2022 and runs the clothing brand Graciously Noticed.
The Choreographers Carnival for groups in modern, hip-hop and jazz, and one-on-one dance battles.
Competition directorCo-directors Willie "Sonny" Metcalfe, who founded the WBMS4EVER performing arts academy in 1986, and Roland "Ro Ro" Tabor, a St. Louis choreographer who has worked with MC Hammer, Aaliyah and Chris Brown.
A Battle of the Bands with preliminary and semifinal rounds at the National Blues Museum, and a DJ Battle that runs alongside the Art Wars.
A runway competition where designers turn models into, in the foundation's words, "living masterpieces".
Competition directorDwight Carter, owner of Brainchild, who co-produced St. Louis Fashion Week from 2008 to 2014 and teaches fashion promotion at Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts.
A Live Chef Challenge, where online public voting picks the finalists, and a Best St. Louis Desserts contest that starts with ballot boxes at local dessert spots.
Competition directorJuwan Rice, founder of Umoja Food Group (Rated Test Kitchen, Rated Café, JR Gourmet, JR Spice) and of the Palate on Palette nonprofit.
The Stand-Up Standoff: over 25 regional comedians compete at local venues and the top five reach the finals stage.
Formats and directors from the foundation's category and competition directors pages.[13]
Prize lists as published; the foundation has not published winners or amounts paid.[3]
The foundation scheduled the first finals for October 4 and 5, 2025, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., at The Dome at America's Center. It planned a main music stage with national acts, a comedy lounge, an Art Expo gallery, Gallery Row, an Artist Village, Restaurant Row, a Family Fun Zone, a roller skating rink, a business expo, a St. Louis history tent and projection art. Every ticket included an event passport, and a $100 Judges Passport upgrade added food samples and a vote in every competition.[3, 17]
The foundation's home page gives October 3 and 4, 2025 for these finals; its finals page gives October 4 and 5. Results and attendance have not been published, so none are shown here.
Event finals pageDates as published by the foundation, its Eventbrite listing and St. Louis media. Everything before October 12, 2026 has already happened.
The foundation lists three Abstrakt leaders on its advisory board and Davide Weaver as its event director. FOX 2 introduced Weaver in March 2026 as gallery director and co-founder of the foundation.[2, 9]
Abstrakt's motto is Always Be Growing: clients, the company and the people in it. Give Back Day closes the office every year so the whole team can volunteer at St. Louis nonprofits. The foundation is the year-round, arts-focused side of that habit, run by some of the same leaders.
For team members, it means gallery openings at the building they work in and colleagues on the board. For artists, it means the marketing help a sales and marketing company is built to give.
Names as the foundation shows them on its own site. Listing here does not mean any partner endorses Abstrakt.
From the "Our Proud Sponsors" graphic, uploaded March 2026, plus individual supporters.[14]
From the community involvement page. Kranzberg Arts Foundation venues hosted Art Olympics preliminaries; the National Blues Museum hosted the Battle of the Bands rounds.[1, 13]
All sign-ups go through the foundation, not Abstrakt. Links go to the foundation's site.
Exhibitions, Artist of the Month features, live demonstrations, performances and talks. Art Olympics entrants sign up by category with a headshot, short bio and links; they must be 18 or older, can enter more than one category, and must attend the finals (or send an approved representative) to win. (3, 5)
How to enterSponsorships fund exhibitions, artist stipends and community workshops, and let the foundation pay artists fairly. Tiers run from title sponsor to a single competition category. (5, 15)
Sponsorship optionsPop-ups during weekend programming, demonstrations and limited retail tied to exhibitions. The foundation looks for artist-owned studios, makers, home and lifestyle brands, local businesses, nonprofits and food and drink vendors with a local story. Booths run from 5 by 5 feet to 35 by 50 feet. (5, 15)
Vendor informationThe foundation takes donations online; it says it reinvests all funds in programs that support local artists. Volunteers sign up on the same form as sponsors and vendors. (1, 15)
DonatePublished for the ArtFusion event at The Dome. Packages combine print and radio ads, flyers and posters, social posts, banners, booth space and VIP tickets; the foundation sets terms directly with each sponsor.[15]
Questions: info@abstraktartsfoundation.org, 314-907-2787 or the foundation's contact page.
Exhibitions, the current Artist of the Month, artwork for sale, tickets and every sign-up form live at abstraktartsfoundation.org.
FOX 2 Studio STL segments labeled "sponsored" are paid features and are used here only for dates and names. Photos and artwork images were published by the Abstrakt Arts Foundation on abstraktartsfoundation.org and are used with its approval; each artwork remains the property of its artist. Event listings older than October 12, 2026 are shown as past.
Photos on this page: artist booths at a St. Louis art market. Abstrakt Arts Foundation.
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