that is the current site
of the Duncan McClellan
Gallery and the DMG School
Project.
Together, Aeling and
Kapusta met with McClellan
and former Mayor Rick
Baker. By the end of the
meeting, the concept for
the Warehouse Arts District
Association was born. The
Association, with the help
of founding members
like artist Rob Bocik and
social media entrepreneur
Tracy Kennard, set about
gaining 501(c3) status and
embarking on a large-scale fundraising campaign and the setup
of the current trolley system. Hard-won grants and donations
ultimately gave the Association the ability to beat out developers
and buy Soft Water, MGA and all of the surrounding property and
buildings.
The Growing Arts Scene
been realized. The ArtsXchange, a fully renovated warehouse on
the property next to MGA & Soft Water, is home to multiple local
38 StPeteLifeMag.com January/February 2020
surrounding businesses
and artists have become
members, collaborating in
projects and events
It’s nothing short of mindblowing
to consider that the
innovation and vision for a
large portion of the growing
arts empire that exists today
in the Warehouse Arts District
started with an oversized
painting and a budding
love story. For an artistic
expression of Carrie and
Mark’s love story, you need
look no further than a series
of multi-media sculptures
that Mark created with very special inspiration ... Carrie’s lips. Now
that’s romantic.
Aeling continues to be the president of WADA’s board with Kapusta
as a valued advisor. The structure has evolved to include an executive
director needed to manage the very busy daily operations and the
continuing need for fundraising. Attorney and long-time arts patron
Diane Bailey Morton is at the helm. “We will always have artists on
the board, though,” says Aeling. “That will insure that their interests
are always a part of the conversation.”
“We knew that we, as artists, wanted to control what we all had
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