The Peacock House Art Foundation is transforming Fort Pierce into an artistic destination through the historic Crain Estate, the former home of Jaxson and Mary Crain. Jaxson Crain was a tile worker whose craftsmanship is visible throughout the facility, from ground to walls to ceiling. The couple traveled the world nine times and collected one-of-a-kind items for their Florida property, including a gazebo shipped from India. Guided tours of the gardens and architecture are available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The estate remains 90 percent the way it was when the Crains lived there, including a smoking and bourbon room with man paneling and stained glass. The foundation has made a conscious effort to preserve the estate's original character without commercializing it.
The Crains are believed to have introduced peacocks to Fort Pierce in the 1970s, bringing in seven birds that have multiplied to over 100 on the property. One peacock named Bob is believed to be 60 years old and walks with a limp. According to art director Krystal Masters, Bob is a spoiled peacock with his own bowls and gets hand-fed every day. The foundation runs an artist-in-residency program that attracts artists from around the world, providing simple but elegant accommodations. The art lab offers classes for children and adults of all skill levels, including one-on-one instruction where students with zero experience walk out with a finished piece of art.