St. Pete’s art scene continues to thrive as the community driven art initiative becomes a reality. A project of the Warehouse Arts District Association, the ArtsXchange building houses more than 2,500 square feet of gallery, education and event space.

The idea for the studios came after realizing that rising property values in the area might price working artists out of the neighborhood. Together with their supporters, the artists formed the nonprofit Warehouse Arts District Association in 2012, hoping to create sustainable, affordable studios in the area. In 2014, the WADA purchased the ArtsXchange property on the site of the old Soft Water Laundry. Construction of the new studios began earlier this year. They are the first phase of a long-term plan to create even more artistic, educational and community spaces on the site.