The Florida Society of Goldsmiths first met on the campus of the University of South Florida on January 15, 1984 for the purpose of "forming an educational nonprofit group to provide workshops, lectures, shows and related activities for interested jewelers and related crafts.”  Nine people attended and selected Phil London as president, Richard Miller as vice president, Brenda Osborne as secretary, and Edward Borow as treasurer. The group quickly grew to a membership of 40 and the society became a Florida corporation on December 21, 1984. It acquired tax-exempt status in September 1985.

In the beginning FSG developed a close working relationship with the Florida Gulf Coast Art Center in Belleair, Florida. Collaboration with FGCAC resulted in workshops featuring many leaders in the art-metal movement. Collaboration with FGCAC also resulted in the first exhibition of art-metal jewelry by Florida artists, in May 1986. Since 1987 FSG chapters have sponsored an annual art-metal workshop program at Wildacres, near Little Switzerland, North Carolina, a retreat facility dedicated to education, the arts and personal rejuvenation, featuring some of the best known artists in the art-metal

movement.

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In 1989 The Florida Society of Goldsmiths reorganized into a State/Chapter structure to better serve our widely distributed membership.   Originally the state was divided into five chapters; Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest and West Coast.   Members were assigned to a chapter based upon their location within the state.   Members residing outside of Florida were assigned  as. At-Large members.  In 2014, the Southeast chapter divided into two parts, creating the South Chapter, and increasing the number of Chapters to six.

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Today, all chapters have been merged into one organization – Florida Society of Goldsmiths. Consolidation allows the organization to centralize administrative tasks. Our new dynamic organization offers the best opportunity to devote resources to provide online demonstrations, and both online and in person classes. Our inperson classes are generally held at various locations in Florida, with the exception of our Metals on the Mountain workshop program, held at Wildacres.  That annual retreat will continue as it has for many years. The Florida Society of Goldsmiths continues to be an organization for all makers dedicated to education, the support of metalsmiths and the promotion of art jewelry.