The Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA) held a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Warehouse Arts District Association’s ArtsXchange Campus on Wednesday March 10. The new Arts Education Center will be named the Frances McSwain Pruitt and J. Crayton Pruitt Arts Education Center which will host the Aresty School for Young Artists. The event was covered on a FaceBook live event: FaceBook Live Event – Art Center Groundbreaking with over 450 views.
Speakers included WADA President Mark Aeling, St Petersburg Mayor, Rick Kriseman, St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership Vice Chair, Barclay Harless and Natalie Judge of the J. Crayton Pruitt Foundation.
Joining in the event was St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman who said, “Our thriving art scene drives our local thriving economy, and we have the artists themselves to thank for this. This is one of the most exciting places in St. Pete and I can’t want to see what comes next.”
WADA Board President Mark Aeling, shared, “This has been long coming and we appreciate all who have helped us get her. We couldn’t do it without our donors and supporters. We are very excited about bringing this amazing resource to our community. Look for our official opening in Fall 2021. You don’t want to miss it.”
The Warehouse Arts District Association is in the process of building out the new Frances McSwain Pruitt and J. Crayton Pruitt Arts Education Center, where many of the new educational programs will be held. The construction is expected to be completed by early Fall 2021. Because of the location of the WADA Campus in midtown St. Petersburg, the neighborhood children stand to benefit from this unique program for students grade 2 through 8.
Programs will be designed to inspire and motivate artistic creativity. Older children will be able to hone their skills and develop portfolios. This will help give them an entree into specialized high school arts programs such as Gibbs High School, which houses the Pinellas County Center for the Arts. The Aresty School for Young Artists could serve as an important feeder to the Gibbs program, helping children develop the skills needed to gain admission.
The Warehouse Arts District Association has begun a search for an Arts Education Consultant to help with the planning and implementation to frame innovative and engaging arts education programs, specifically targeted to children in a diverse environment.
Information courtesy of the Warehouse Arts District Association.