DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — "I've lived in Delray for 25 years and even I didn't know how much art we have here in downtown Delray and throughout the city of Delray Beach, we have more art than Wynwood, which I think a lot of people are surprised to hear," said Suzanne Boyd who is the Marketing Manager of the Downtown Development Authority in Delray Beach.
Delray Beach is getting some attention as they promote their "More Art Than Wynwood" Downtown Development Authority campaign.
WATCH: 'More Art Than Wynwood"
"We actually have more murals than Wynwood, but we also have art installations, art galleries, art studios, like [Arts Warehouse.] So we have a thriving our community," touted Boyd.
Art Activities (From Delray Beach's Downtown Development Authority)
ARTS WAREHOUSE
Arts Warehouse is an arts incubator space on Artist Alley in the Pineapple Grove District of Downtown Delray. The Delray Beach CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) rehabilitated the warehouse to provide studio space for artists to hold exhibitions, workshops and other special events. Colleen Thompson’s Paint Your Pet Portrait workshop is just one of the offerings to the public.
"With our artists Studio program, we are welcoming artists that really want to make their art their business and we recognize artists as a small business. So with the subsidized rent, we are able to offer that and we're owned and operated by the CRA the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency. And it's an important part of their mission to help local and small businesses," said Grace Gdaniec manager of Arts Warehouse.
"I was an artist in residence for two years here and it helped me tremendously with my pet portrait business and I've met incredible artists, friends that I'm so grateful for," said artist Colleen Thompson who now teaches classes at the center.
Walk, bike or ride along Delray’s Art Trail to see all of the murals and art in Delray Beach. Property owner Josh Abrams recently commissioned two huge murals on the side of his building on 3rd Avenue right near the Arts Warehouse.
This is an event started in the late 80s by the DDA and downtown merchants to bring people to Atlantic Avenue and Downtown Delray to rediscover Downtown Delray, and enjoy the art and music scene and stay in Delray. The DDA brought it back recently (post-pandemic) to highlight the different areas and rediscover Downtown and all the great businesses we have in our Village by the Sea. The next Art & Jazz is this Wednesday, July 27 right on West Atlantic Ave west of Swinton. WEST Atlantic Ave will be closed for vehicle traffic. We’ll have two stages of live music (headliners: reggae band The Resolvers and New Orleans style jazz band Bad Apples Brass Band), music in the street, plus – there will be a mural painted LIVE during the event, open house events, tons of local vendors and a classic car exhibition. It’s all about art and live music for our locals! I will send video in a separate email of the Bad Apples Brass Band performing at our last Art & Jazz event.
Arts & Jazz on the Ave to be held Wednesday in Delray Beach
FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK
This is a self-guided tour of our art galleries and studios on the first Friday of every month. We release a map of the participating galleries each month and art lovers go studio hopping while strolling and enjoying our art community. We have more than 40 art galleries and studios including the cultural centers in Downtown Delray.
PAINT YOUR PET
Want to learn how to pet your pet? Take a class with artist Colleen Thompson at the Arts Warehouse. All materials included cost $120.
How to take a good photo of your Pet
"I love that you know I love that she breaks it down [and] makes it very simple," Boyd said.
PET DESTINATION
Delray said it is one of the most pet-friendly cities in all of South Florida.
"All of our hotels in downtown Delray are pet friendly. Meaning you can take your dog and stay at any hotel in downtown Delray. Most of our restaurants [have] outside cafes. We have a ton of different dog and pet-related businesses in downtown Delray," said Boyd.
"And I think that's what makes it so nice seeing the restaurants [welcome dogs]. They're very welcoming to your pet," Boyd said.