Our mission is to educate, engage and entertain everyone in our community through the performing arts, with an emphasis on culturally diverse programming.
Our History
For over a decade, the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts has been a driving force in supporting the performing arts in St. Petersburg. Founded with a commitment to enriching the community, the Foundation has played a vital role in bringing world-class artists to the Mahaffey Theater, expanding arts education programs, and ensuring that diverse, high-quality performances are accessible to all.
Through generous donations, memberships, and corporate partnerships, we have provided thousands of students with exposure to the arts, created dynamic outreach programs, and fostered a thriving cultural landscape. Our dedication to education, engagement, and entertainment continues to shape the future of the performing arts in our community.
Our Board
Bill Edwards, Founder & CEO
Mark Mahaffey, Mahaffey Apartments
Carole Merritt, Co-Chair
Jim MacDougald, Community Advocate
David Downing, Co-Chair
Donna Cothron, Consultant
Brady Diggs, Modern Business Associates
Mitch Egan, Egan Painting LLC.
Trish Duggan, Imagine Museum
Our Staff
Beth Gelman, President
bgelman@billedwardsfoundationforthearts.org or 727-892-5706
Elizabeth Gelman spent the last four years as the Senior Director of Arts and Cultural Programming at Creative Pinellas after eight years serving as the Executive Director of The Florida Holocaust Museum. Prior to arriving in Florida, she held leadership positions in several Chicago nonprofits including The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, Spertus Institute, and Terra Museum of American Art.
Gelman created and designed Arts Attack!, the highly regarded interactive arts education program for grades K-12 that utilizes storytelling to access music and visual arts. She has given presentations about the arts, storytelling, and creative writing throughout the United States and Ontario Canada including the National Arts Educators Association Conference, Visual Understanding in Education, and the Chicago Cultural Network.
A published author and playwright, her articles have been seen in the Chicago Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, and other nationally syndicated papers. She has been a featured writer for Family Times Magazine and a contributing writer for LASplash, The Shofar, and The Mosaic, among other publications. She and her husband, composer Tom Sivak, wrote the musical “The Brain That Wouldn’t Die! – in 3D!!”, for which she was awarded the Anna Sosenko Assist Trust Grant. “The Brain” premiered at the 2011 New York Musical Theatre Festival as a “Next Link” selection and has had multiple regional performances.
Gelman is a proud member of AEA and has appeared in numerous national tours and Chicago area productions including Clelia in The Nerd (with Tony Shalhoub), and Contessa in HATS! (with Melissa Manchester and Betsy Randle). In 2023, she appeared as Emma Goldman in American Stage’s production of Ragtime. Her favorite role remains being the mother of two exceptionally talented and beautiful daughters and one extraordinary granddaughter.
Lori Belvedere, Vice President
lbelvedere@billedwardsfoundationforthearts.org or 727-892-5716
Katrina Young, Class Acts – VP, Arts Education & Entertainment
kyoung@billedwardsfoundationforthearts.org or 727-304-5275
Aidan Anderson, Special Events Coordinator
aanderson@themahaffey.com or 727-304-5275
For all ticketing, inquiries, and membership needs, call our Member Concierge Center at 727-300-2000.
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts was founded as a 501(c) 3 nonprofit in 2011, and is dedicated providing arts education programs, community outreach, and performances as well as concerts for the entire community with emphasis on diverse programming for youth, and families.