Art can be found in every corner of St. Petersburg, and there is something for everybody to do on just about every day of the week.
The Second Saturday ArtWalk is just one of these unique events that provides a 360 degree art experience for locals and tourists of all ages. It takes you “from the beach… to the bay” to see “art… all along the way,” according to the official St. Petersburg Arts Alliance website.
ArtWalk involves the five primary art districts of St. Pete, which keep the downtown area lit up from 5 to 9 p.m. During this time, participating galleries and studios, listed on the website beforehand, welcome visitors with open arms and a wide-range of captivating art.
Upcoming and veteran artists alike take this opportunity on “Opening Night” to debut new work. At the Kapfer Art Studio, located near St. Pete Beach, visitors were reminded that the studio represents more than 100 artists. Guests could see glass blowing demonstrations at the Zen Glass Studio. Jazz music was performed by talented local musicians in addition to the portrait exhibit at Creative Clay.
Some of the art is sold at a more affordable price than what you might expect to find, while other galleries chose to sink the prices of older work to presumably make room for the new. An artisan mug could be $5 and a masterwork canvas could cost several hundred, according to the variety of patrons’ taste.
St. Petersburg public transportation plays a major role in the successful turnout of this event. The Central Avenue Trolley stops at beaches and extends throughout downtown and in lieu of that, ArtWalk provides a free trolley, the most popular among the transportation options. Although it can be difficult to catch the free route due to its popularity, the other trolleys cost 50 cents.
The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance manages the Second Saturday ArtWalk events. The group consists of people determined to maintain the success of St. Pete’s cultural community. General information and details regarding upcoming events can be found at stpeteartsalliance.org.
