The address is 2428 Central Avenue, which lies within the boundaries of Historic Kenwood and is two blocks from my house! Central Avenue is the main drag from downtown St. Pete to the Gulf beaches. The studio is in the Grand Central District, which is an artsy area full of personality. The neighborhood is great about supporting local businesses and I can't wait to meet more of my neighbors. Businesses on my block include those for stained glass and graphics, art supplies, cupcakes, a half a dozen restaurants, cigars, antiques, real estate ... and now torch-fired enamel!
Getting back to the building ... the space on the far left will be the teaching part ... the torches will be lined up on the left wall and we're meeting with the ventilation guy tomorrow. Behind that is storage room and office space. The area behind the colorful balls will be the retail space. We'll sell everything we currently do online, but will also have a greater selection of other beads and beading accessories. A very lovely bridal salon occupies one of our spots.
There are two one-bedroom apartments upstairs, one for my son, David, and the other for Chris and Toni, all who are studio artists at PWF. Both David and Chris are talented teachers and Toni is a fine artist. I love her eye for design and I look forward to getting into mischief with her. Chris, Toni and David, all 25 year-olds, will infuse Painting with Fire with energy ... in more ways than one!
I've had this urge to offer Winter Retreats in St. Petersburg. Who wouldn't want to go on a learning vacation in January, February or March? This space also will provide lots of opportunities for things like this.
It will take us several months before we're down here full time. My target date is May 1, but we'll be hosting lots of workshops and other events from now until then. I hope you'll follow along as we make changes to the space to get ready for opening. It should be fun!
21 comments:
Congratulations on finding such a wonderful building for shop and studio. It will be fantastic...wish I lived closer!.
Jenni
I am so so over the moon happy for you. I know this is a big dream and you've worked so hard to make it happen. Winter retreat, eh? Well, St Pete is not all that far away. Congratulations, Barbara!
Amazingly fantastical news Barbara, you must be so excited! WOW I hope I get the chance to visit one day!!! Congrats, well deserved my friend!
Congrats, Barbara! Wow, the excitement must be amazing. Wonderful plans for the future!
Congratulations on finding such a wonderful place in an area that supports the arts! What an exciting time for you!
It would be so fun to attend a class there, and combine it with a vacation!
This sounds so great. It looks like a wonderful place to set up. And great that the area loves to support local businesses and artists.
Oh Barbara, how awesome is that!!!??? Lucky you! Conrats! It looks great! I wanna come!
Looks and sounds fantastic, congratulations! A winter retreat sounds like fun!
Barbara, you did it - you found the perfect PWF home!!! I must say I don't think you could have found a more perfect location and studio...two blocks from your house and with apartments on top?! And it looks like plenty of space!!! And you say restaurants, cupcakes and antiques around the corner?! Does it get any better? It really sounds like a dream, Barbara. I don't know how one could wish for anything more. I'm so happy you found the right place.
What a charming location! Barb, you are living your dream, I am so happy for you and your success!
Oh wow Barbara! What an awesome place and I can't wait to see it all done! Congrats and I am so going to try and go to one of your workshops! I am so happy for you!!!!
woo hoo! congratulations!
Oh Barbara congratulations! I am SO excited for you! What a PERFECT place to be! I hope I get the chance to come and see you there while we are down, i'll touch base with you later about it. Have fun settling in! Big Celebratory Hugs!!
Congratulations! How scary-exciting is that!?! All the best as you get this up and running and, of COURSE I'm going to follow along... I just wish I lived closer. California's a bit far for just running over to a workshop (sigh)
Way cool, I'm so excited for you! I'm in Florida at least once a year, hopefully I can time it to take a workshop . . at the very least a visit.
So very cool, Miss Barbara! I love this new space and the new directions you are going in. And a retreat in St Pete? In the dead of Winter? Sign me up!
Enjoy the day.
Erin
Congratulations on your new space!! Happy Day to a very talented family :)
Congratulations, sounds like a dream come true!
Congrats! I will be down asap...I want to visit St. Pete's just based on what you've said and now there's a big BONUS to visiting. I am very happy for you, Barbara.
How cool is that! It sounds like a great neighborhood, and YOU HAVE A CUPCAKE STORE. If I had a cupcake store on my street I would just have my customers make their checks out to them because I'd be running up some kind of big cupcake tab.
Sounds like you have an awesome crew! A mini artist's commune. Wish I lived closer!
WOW! Great happenings for a great artist, congratulations!
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