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Bianca Soler
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St. Pete Arts Alliance brings the Trolley Back for Second Saturday ARTWALK!!
After almost 2 ½ years, a pandemic and a driver shortage, the St. Pete Arts Alliance (SPAA) has contracted with Star Trolley to reinstate trolley service for patrons of St. Pete’s Second Saturday ArtWalk. Beginning Saturday, July 9, 2022, a branded white trolley will be moving art enthusiasts around to over 40 ArtWalk venues from 5-9pm.
ArtWalk originated over 25 years ago when gallery owners developed “Gallery Walk” to drive business for the downtown area by offering opportunities for the public to meet artists and see them at work. Held once a month, patrons easily strolled from one gallery to the next. With our increasing number of artists, studios, and creative businesses, we saw the emergence of five distinct arts districts that were not within walking distance of each other. A trolley service was added in 2012 to facilitate the distances between venues and prior to COVID, led to around 4,000 visits to studios and galleries every month. Over 200 artists greeted their guests in some 40 studios and galleries with 20+ ArtWalk stops.
“We are so beyond excited, after so long, to bring this means of transportation back to our city of the arts. Our gratitude goes out to all our artists, arts venues and organizations, galleries and districts for keeping our arts thriving during this time. In the future, we hope not only to add an additional trolley but include other trolley excursions, such as mural tours, as well. We are back!” Terry Marks, CEO/SPAA.
Please join the Central Arts District, EDGE Business District, Grand Central District, Warehouse Arts District, Uptown Arts District and downtown Waterfront District every Second Saturday of the month! July 9, August 13, September 10, etc. Studios and galleries stay open late and welcome visitors from 5-9pm. Keep in mind that there is only one trolley running at this time so wait times between stops may be up to 1 hour, which gives you plenty of time to relax, explore and support our artists through a purchase! It is our goal to eventually add a second trolley when one is available as well as funding to support this.
You can find a listing, trolley route and map of participating galleries and studios one week prior to each ArtWalk at stpeteartsalliance.org/artwalk.
The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance coordinates the St. Petersburg Second Saturday ArtWalk with the EDGE District, the Grand Central District, Uptown Arts District and the Warehouse Arts District associations.
Produced with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts, Creative Pinellas and the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. Second Saturday ArtWalk is a St. Petersburg Arts Alliance economic strategy to develop small businesses.
