A FRESH CHAPTER FOR FROSTPROOF’S CREATIVE HAVEN UNDER ARTIST ALEXA BERRONG
Frostproof’s arts community is entering a vibrant new era, thanks to the vision and energy of artist and instructor Alexa Berrong (pictured), the new owner of Studio Wildflower. Though the name on the door has changed, the heart of this beloved creative space continues to beat with the same spirit of welcome, inspiration, and community that has defined it since its founding.
Originally from Hartwell, Georgia, Berrong’s path to Frostproof was anything but predictable. She
describes herself as someone who has been creating art for as long as she could hold a pencil. That early spark grew into a lifelong passion, eventually guiding her toward oil painting and teaching.
Before arriving in Polk County, Berrong worked as a welder in New Smyrna Beach. She moved to Frostproof on April 1, 2023, and exactly three years later, she stepped into ownership of the studio that had become her creative home.
“I’ve felt drawn to art for as long as I can remember,” she says. “My work explores interconnection and the invisible threads that bind us all together. As steward of the studio, I want to create a space where people can reconnect with their creativity and feel encouraged to express it freely.”
Studio Wildflower may be entering a new era, but its roots run deep. The gallery was founded in 2017 by Jacque Palomaki and Chip Newton as Florida Wildflower Studios, a place where artists could gather, learn, and feel supported. Berrong spent roughly two and a half years there as a resident artist before taking the reins. Her decision to rename the space was thoughtful and intentional.
“‘Studio Wildflower’ felt like a natural transition,” she explains. “I wanted to honor what Jacque and Chip created while allowing room for new ideas and new energy. The heart remains the same.”
Along with the new name, Berrong is preparing a refreshed look for the interior. The studio traditionally closes each July, and this year she plans to use that time to repaint and remodel. When the doors reopen in August, visitors can expect a space that feels renewed yet familiar—an evolution rather than a departure. Despite the updates, many of the studio’s beloved offerings will continue unchanged. Studio Wildflower will maintain its robust schedule of classes and workshops, along with its accessible membership structure:
$40/year for adults
$25/year for students (18 & under)
$60/year for families (up to four people in the same household)
Members enjoy discounts on classes, opportunities to display and sell their work, and access to Open Studio every Wednesday, a cornerstone of the studio’s community‑building efforts. Berrong’s goals for Studio Wildflower center on connection—between people, between ideas, and between individuals and their own creative instincts.
“I want people to walk through the door and feel like art is something they belong in,” she says. “Not something out of reach.”
Her vision includes expanding classes and workshops, offering more opportunities for local artists to share their work, and cultivating a space where creativity feels accessible to everyone, regardless of experience.
“Ultimately, my goal is to nurture the creative spirit in others and inspire people to follow what lights them up.”
Berrong speaks with deep gratitude for the foundation laid by Palomaki and Newton, and she sees her role as both caretaker and innovator.
“It is an honor to build upon the space Jacque and Chip so thoughtfully created,” she says. “Studio Wildflower will continue to be a place for learning, connection, and creative exploration, while expanding into new offerings that reflect my own artistic voice and vision.”
As Studio Wildflower enters this new chapter, one thing is clear: Frostproof’s creative community is in good hands. With Berrong’s passion, artistry, and commitment to nurturing others, the studio is poised to flourish—rooted in its past, blooming toward its future.
Visit the Studio
12 E. Wall St., Frostproof
904-878-2171
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