Jewelry artist Victoria Balsamo will take center stage this June as the featured artist at Butterfield Garage Art Gallery, where she plans to showcase decades of craftsmanship, spiritual symbolism, and a lifelong passion for stones and crystals through her newest exhibit, Stones, Silver and Symbols.
The exhibit officially opens during St. Augustine’s First Friday Artwalk on June 5, when visitors can meet Balsamo from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the gallery on King Street. Guests who attend the opening will also receive a free piece of stone or sea glass wrapped in copper or brass while supplies last.
Balsamo’s collection highlights handmade jewelry pieces that combine silverwork with crystals, gemstones, and universal symbols such as spirals, feathers, peace signs, and eternity motifs. Her work focuses not only on artistic beauty but also on the spiritual and emotional meanings often associated with stones and symbols. The exhibit reflects a creative journey that began decades ago.
Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Balsamo later moved to rural Ohio in her early 20s, where she spent much of her adult life raising her daughter and building a career that blended art, business, and education. Balsamo attended both New York University and Ohio State University, earning degrees in Business and Spanish as well as teaching. Despite her academic background, jewelry-making became one of the defining passions of her life after she learned silversmithing at just 19 years old.
According to the gallery’s press release, Balsamo originally began learning the craft alongside her fiancé, who eventually lost interest. She, however, continued refining her skills and developing her own artistic identity through handcrafted silver and gold jewelry.
Over time, Balsamo’s fascination with crystals and stones deepened, influencing both the style and symbolism of her work. Her jewelry often incorporates natural elements and spiritual themes designed to create meaningful keepsakes that families can pass down through generations. Many of her pieces reflect ideas tied to healing, connection, protection, and peace. Balsamo also spent 42 years operating a Native American and crystal store in Ohio before relocating to Florida. Since moving to St. Augustine, she has become a familiar face at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Farmers Market, where she has maintained a booth for 14 years.
In October 2025, Balsamo joined the Butterfield Garage Art Gallery cooperative, which features a rotating collection of local and regional artists working across multiple mediums. Gallery officials say Balsamo quickly became an important part of the creative community inside the historic downtown art space. The June exhibit offers visitors an opportunity to experience not only Balsamo’s craftsmanship but also the personal stories and spiritual inspiration behind her designs.
Butterfield Garage Art Gallery regularly participates in St. Augustine’s monthly First Friday Artwalk, an event that draws residents and tourists to galleries and studios throughout the city’s arts district. Located at 137 King Street, the gallery has become known for showcasing diverse local talent in painting, sculpture, mixed media, jewelry, photography, and pottery.
Visitors attending the June Artwalk can explore Balsamo’s featured collection while speaking directly with the artist about the meanings behind the stones, crystals, and symbols used throughout her work. For more information about the Butterfield Garage Art Gallery, check out their website here. For information about the First Friday Art Walk, you can visit the St. Augustine Art Association’s website here.
