Tony Allegretti hired as Market Manager of the Riverside Arts Market

[grimss]

There probably isn't a person in Jacksonville that's better suited to help get the Riverside Arts Market off the ground.  With his connections throughout the city, this should really help bring top-notch talent to the market.

[5 Points Theatre]

Excellent choice!

[BridgeTroll]

Good choice!  It is opening this month right?  Pass the word...

[grimss]

Official opening is April 4th. They've also just secured a $10,000 donation to establish a Children's Art tent, so there will lots of market activities for the little ones, too. I got a peek at some of the vendor applications and there's some seriously great stuff.  Not just the art, but food, too.  One guy sent drool-worthy photos of his homemade pies, including one that features steak and Guinness. Yum!

[Joe]

Sounds about right. Good pick.

This should be a great Market.

[grimss]

I've met with Tony a couple of times since the announcement and he's impressive. He recapped the market sponsorships to date: $25,000 from Winn Dixie (included in this is a commitment to fund a "new baker" program for women from Hubbard House; $25K in-kind from WJCT, and something like $30K in-kind from the Times Union. If you add that to the $10K cash from a local couple for the Children's Creativity Corner at the market, that's a pretty impressive commitment to the Arts from little 'ole JAX. Oh, and someone has offered to underwrite the vendor costs for organic farmers for the first six months.  Boo yah!

[fivepointy]

Sure would be great if JTA could find funding available to run the Riverside Trolley to the Art Market! I know that there is supposed to be about 1,000 parking spaces in nearby lots, but what a crowded mess that will all be, especially with the construction going on Riverside . I think that there would be lots of interest in having the trolley--especially bring folks from the downtown area to the market, and back again. I believe that JTA would actually break even or even make a profit.

[grimss]

The market has secured Water Taxi service, which will land at Fidelity's dock, so that should alleviate some congestion. Biking and the River Walk are other good options!

[BridgeTroll]

It really is only a half hour walk from the landing.

[Deuce]

Definitely good choice.

[Johnny]

Prop's to Tony!

[njdjax]

Any chance of it being open on Fridays in the future?   I'd love to visit during my lunch hour(s) since I work downtown.

[9a is my backyard]

I can't wait!

[grimss]

I think, long-term, they'd like to expand to Sundays, but I don't think Fridays are in the plan.

[BridgeTroll]

Doesn't look like that will work... It is fully used as a parking lot Monday thru Friday