FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The Peacock House Art Foundation is transforming Fort Pierce into an artistic destination, putting the Peacock Arts District on the map and connecting local and international artists.
Tucked away in the historic Crain Estate, the nonprofit organization preserves the legacy of Jaxson and Mary Crain, who once called the property home.
WATCH BELOW: Inside Fort Pierce's hidden art oasis where peacocks roam free
"Before it was a private residence owned by the Crains - Jaxson and Mary Crain," says Krystal Masters, the art director here.
Mr. Crain was a tile worker by trade, and his craftsmanship is visible throughout the entire facility.
"Jackson is the one who did all the tiling throughout the facility, and you'll see it from the ground to the walls to the ceiling," says Masters.
Visitors can take guided tours of the lush gardens and vibrant architecture every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Many parts of the house look the same as when the Crains lived there, including the smoking and bourbon room.
"It has more of a man paneling. The bathroom is all manly colors. There's a really pre stained glass in there, and it leads right out to the bar that's on the front of the patio," said Masters.
The couple traveled the world nine times, collecting one-of-a-kind items for their Florida estate — including a gazebo shipped from India.
"It does have little tiny peacocks on it also, if you look close. So we're painting the bottom to match the top," says Masters.
The foundation has made a conscious effort to preserve the estate's original character.
"A lot of things we want to keep original. Yeah, we don't want it to be very commercialized," a foundation representative said.
Krystal, a foundation representative, said the estate remains largely unchanged from the Crains' time there.
"It's 90% the way it was when the Crains were here - yeah," Krystal said.
The Peacock House gets its name from the birds that have roamed the property for decades.
The Crains are believed to have introduced peacocks to Fort Pierce in the 1970s.
"From what we hear, they brought in seven of them originally, and from the seven we have over 100," a foundation representative said.
"The peacocks have been in Fort Pierce since the 1970s; we believe the Crains are the ones that incorporate the peacocks into Fort Pierce," a foundation representative said.
Among the flock is a beloved bird named Bob — believed to be the oldest peacock on the property.
"We do have one named Bob that we know of. He's our oldest peacock. We believe he's 60 years old and we know him because he walks with a limp," said Masters.
Bob is something of a celebrity at the estate, with his own bowls and a daily hand-feeding routine.
"Bob usually lives in here. He is a very spoiled peacock, as you can see; he has his own bowls, and we hand-feed him every day," says Masters.
Tour guides say the peacocks create unforgettable moments for young visitors.
"It's really awesome when I have kids on the tour, and then they feed out of the kids' hands - it's the best feeling," Masters said.
At one time, the Crains also kept monkeys on the property.
"The story goes that Jackson Crain went to South America, got a baby monkey, stuck it in his pocket, and came home with it," Masters said.
The foundation's artist-in-residency program attracts artists from around the world, offering simple but elegant accommodations on the property.
"They're simple, but they're elegant, and it's everything they need," says Masters.
Visitors don't need professional experience to participate. The foundation's art lab offers classes for children and adults of all skill levels.
"Anything you see we can do a private class for you," Masters said.
Masters leads one-on-one classes designed to be accessible to complete beginners.
"The majority of my classes are one-on-one classes. You come in with zero experience, and you walk out with a piece of art and it makes you feel good," Masters said.
The art lab features a wide range of mediums and projects, including sculpting and watercolor.
For Masters, art is about more than creativity.
"Art is a form of therapy and it distresses people………leave happy and haven't been on their phone scrolling," she said.
Seeing students walk away fulfilled is what drives her work.
"It makes me feel so good," Masters said
