ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A decades-long transformation of an industrial corridor into a cultural powerhouse takes center stage this weekend.
On Saturday, May 9, the City of St. Petersburg will premiere its original documentary, “District Lines: The Rise of the Warehouse Arts District,” during the city’s monthly Second Saturday ArtWalk.
The screening is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. on the Rosie Cohen Stage within the Warehouse Arts District.
The 28-minute film, produced by the city’s own video team and completed in late 2025, chronicles the district’s evolution through three distinct phases: the early beginnings of the area, its growth into a vibrant arts community, and the current efforts to build a sustainable future.
The event kicks off with opening remarks from St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch and Mark Aeling, Board President of the Warehouse District Arts Association (WADA). Following the film, WADA Executive Director Markus Gottschlich will moderate a Q&A session with the filmmakers, Michael Flanagan and Amanda Henderson.
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The documentary features a wide range of voices who helped shape the area, including former Mayor Rick Baker, founding WADA member Rob Kapusta, and renowned local artists such as glass artist Duncan McClellan and ceramicist Jan Richardson.
The film also highlights the work of muralists ZuluPainter and Miss Crit, as well as contributions from local business owners and performing arts leaders.
The screening is free and open to the public, offering a firsthand look at how creators and advocates turned a collection of warehouses into one of the city’s most recognizable hubs
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