The Brief
- The Depot is in a revitalized building in the Lakeland Town Center shopping plaza.
- It features 35 artists’ studios and two large galleries.
- The grand opening is set for Nov. 1.
LAKELAND, Fla. – Artists, organizers and developers hope the upcoming Depot Arts District will be a one-stop-shop for art in the county and help revitalize the Lakeland Town Center area.
“I was here when it was the icon. In ’68 when this place was built, it was exciting,” Lakeland Town Center General Manager Jodi McClanahan said.
The Lakeland Arts Association is partnering with the development group. McClanahan says the goal is “to give the artists a nice, peaceful, secure place that they can come, do their work, display their art, you know, just be who they are.”
What they’re saying:
“I needed to be a part of it. I was excited because I’ve been here for the past 30 years, and really there’s never been anything like this in the community,” Settles said.…