Art and Market Under I-95

[jagsfan32092]

I received a notice that on Saturdays beginning in April and ending in December, there is going to be an Art Walk and marketplace on the North Bank under I-95 underpass.  It's going to have 150 vendors and the space will as large as a football field!  There will be music and entertainment along the area. 

Man, I can't wait.  My house was shown today and my realtor feels an offer is going to be made in a couple of days.  I'm looking at condos in the Peninsula and San Marco Place, so the timing is going to be perfect.  I'm so excited.

THIS IS WHAT JACKSONVILLE NEEDS! 

[gatorback]

This should be nice.  Take lots of pictures.

[Seraphs]

Most definitely agree, I hope it morphs into something permanent.

[BridgeTroll]

This is on another thread but here is a link to their site.  Pass the word.  Its success is reliant on participation...

http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/index.html

[stephElf]

Can't wait for this!      

[CrysG]

I'm excited for this too.

[Deuce]

Also stoked!

[BridgeTroll]

Times Union today...

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-03-14/story/art_food_entertainment_meet_you_under_the_bridge

[BridgeTroll]

Ron Littlepage...

http://www.jacksonville.com/opinion/columnists/ron_littlepage/2009-03-15/story/riverside_arts_market_tremendous_asset_to_city

Riverside Arts Market tremendous asset to city
By Ron Littlepage Story updated at 1:07 AM on Sunday, Mar. 15, 2009

It's been a long time coming, but an attraction that could become synonymous with Jacksonville is finally ready.

The Riverside Arts Market, located on the Northbank Riverwalk under the Fuller Warren Bridge, will have its grand opening April 4.

If you remember the energy - and pride - that came with the Super Bowl when thousands of people enjoyed the St. Johns River, our riverwalks and downtown, you have an idea of what the market can create - not once, but every Saturday from April 4 until Christmas.

The idea for the market began with Wayne Wood, a founder of Riverside Avondale Preservation, when he visited Portland, Ore., in 1993 and saw that city's outdoor art market, which is located partially under a bridge.

A new Fuller Warren Bridge was being planned. But instead of just another parking area or retention pond underneath, why not a "centerpiece" for Jacksonville?

The Florida Department of Transportation bought into the vision as did city leaders.

Delays in construction of the bridge and the normal bureaucratic road blocks slowed the project, but what serves as a parking lot for Fidelity National during the week is now ready to be transformed into a hub of activity and entertainment on Saturdays.

But don't think of this space as a normal parking lot.

Melody Bishop, an architect who designed the Northbank Riverwalk, has created a wonderful space for the market.

Instead of asphalt, there are decorative pavers and landscaping.

There's a stage with terraced seating. There are rest rooms.

There's space for about 160 vendors. They will sell art, crafts, food, plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables - all locally produced.

Organizers say the live entertainment will change weekly and they have already booked through the summer.

There will be special programs for children. And don't be surprised if some spontaneous street theater doesn't break out.

All with the magnificent St. Johns River as a backdrop.

There's plenty of parking with about 1,000 spaces nearby.

The market will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And admission is free.

Plans for the future include opening the market on Sundays as well.

Also in the works is extending the walkway across Riverside Avenue, landscaping that area under the bridge, improving the awful retention pond that's there now, and connecting to Riverside Park and the Five Points shopping area.

The market could become the meeting place for Jacksonville to come together.

The energy that came with the Super Bowl faded.

The energy that will come from the Riverside Arts Market will last.

It's been a long time coming. Get out and enjoy it.

ron.littlepage@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4284

[JaxNole]

This is a beautiful public space.  I sometimes take my lunch there for a nice breeze off the river and to people watch.

It's a short walk from 5 Points and Riverside and Memorial Parks.  Check it out!

[grimss]

The response from artists, food vendors, bands, and farmers has been terrific.  If you listen to Doug Coleman, the chair of the committee in charge of putting this together, there isn't another space in the country like this.  There are lots of regional markets (the fabulously successful Portland Market included) that have some of the features--all-weather coverage, permanent restroom facilities, river access, entertainment stage, free parking (including bicycles), electrified vendor stations--but NO OTHER market that has ALL of these. 

[blizz01]

I wonder how much activity will spill out to either of the bridge's undersides & be visible from above - this could also pique interest & provide for a nice intro for I-95'ers that might have otherwise just kept on passing through....

[BridgeTroll]

http://theurbancoredotcom.blogspot.com/

http://www.youtube.com/v/fSD1e49rKfE

Draft of my first Director's Note:


I write this note to all fans of the Riverside Arts Market, volunteers, vendors, farmers, foodies, musicians, artisans, and of course artists. I am writing perched in my new small office in the Buckland House, home to Riverside Avondale Preservation our benevolent sponsor organization. There are so many people and businesses who have contrubuted so much that I am going to do thank yous in a later Note. I would hate to miss someone on day one.

I will admit that I am a bit overwhelmed with expectations of not just myself, but my family, and the scores of people who helped get me on the path to this office and this great project. Although calling an event that will last for years and years a project is a bit of an understatement itself. And expectations are running wild. Why? Well if you have ever been to a consistent art event in this city you know how incredible they can be. I'm thinking of all of our great cultural events, the arts festivals, Art After Dark, Five Points First Fridays, our Downtown First Wednesday Art Walk, St. Augustine's Art Walk, World of Nations, Art in the Park at our legendary Jazz Fest, our symphony, you can go on and on.

What makes these events so much fun and so popular? It is you of course. Our cultural community, from our artists in their closet size studios and garages to our patrons who come from far and wide, all know that making art and supporting the arts and local creativity enriches our lives. Make it a free event and you might have half of Duval County at your doorstep! Do it monthly, like Art Walk, and you will have record breaking museum crowds, thriving outsider art shows in basements, and a pulse to a downtown that was once on the ropes. Do it weekly and we may see, every Saturday, with the ones we love, a cross section of our Cultural DNA, an up close look at our cultural roots, and a quality of life summed up in one great event. Every Saturday.

I can go on an on (as many of you know). But as the "dog that caught the car" I've got to get back to the multiple decisions and plans so that we can come as close as possible to matching your expectations and mine. We are so close to APRIL 4th! Always remember, The Riverside Arts Market is your market. It will always improve and it will always be right next to our greatest asset as a city, the beautiful St. Johns river!

More swell updates to come!

Your Pal,

Tony

[blizz01]

As excited as I am about this venue (very), part of me hopes that there are not unforeseen trade-offs; more specifically, will this diminish the efforts of the Farmer's Market on Beaver?  Or what about the annual shows / events that have been so popular yet so similar in Riverside & San Marco?  I guess what I'm getting at, as an example, is there still a vendor pool and customer base to support an art festival in San Marco that might fall on a corresponding Saturday?  I just saw that there's going to be another arts/crafts bazaar at the Landing this month.  If RAM is JAX's "signature" event, what's the incentive for these other ad-hoc events(?).............. 

[grimss]

I think the San Marco and Riverside Art Festivals attract regional artists--those who are on the Southeast circuit--whereas RAM will feature local artists and likely a much broader array of affordable crafts and creative work.  As for Beaver Street, RAM may draw some of its Saturday customers, but since it's open the rest of the week as well, that customer base likely won't change. Personally, I think the more outdoor stuff like this, the better, because it has the potential to expand the client base for everyone!

I do know that RAP has decided not to mount the popular Riverside Arts Festival this year, largely because of all the effort and manpower that's going in to making RAM a success.  But the intent is to bring it back next year . . .