Mercado Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrates Community and Art

Mercado Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrates Community and Art

Published on November 04, 2024

The Mercado ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 1, 2024, celebrated the opening of Clearwater's new community space, drawing over 50 attendees.

CRA Manager Eric Santiago opened the ceremony by expressing gratitude to those who contributed to the project, including City Engineer Tara Kivett, Ron Cupler from Biltmore Construction, members of the Parks and Recreation Department, along with City Council Mayor Bruce Rector and City Manager Jennifer Poirrier who emphasized the importance of the Mercado in fostering community engagement.

Gabe Parra from Economic Development & Housing provided Spanish translation during the event. Amanda Markiewicz and Andrea Vendetti from the Hispanic Outreach Center spoke on the celebration's inclusive nature. Arts and Cultural Affairs Manager Amber Brice introduced the newly selected mosaic artist, Cristina Salas, and shared details about her impressive background in fine art and public installations.

Cristina Salas, from Quito, Ecuador, was selected to create a mosaic installation for the Mercado after a competitive selection process. Out of 73 submissions from various mosaic artists, three finalists were chosen for community voting. In total, 356 residents participated in the voting, and Salas won, bringing her international expertise to the project. Her artistic portfolio includes intricate mosaic murals and fiber art, promising to enhance the Mercado's aesthetic appeal.

Follow Cristina Salas and learn more about her art:

Instagram: @crissalas
Website: www.cristinasalas.com

The refreshments were sponsored by Biltmore Construction and provided by Juli's Restaurant serving quesadillas, horchata, and fresh juice.

The Mercado is set to be a vibrant hub for community engagement and artistic expression in downtown Clearwater. We invite everyone to visit this new space, experience its offerings, and participate in the ongoing celebration of local culture.

Mercado Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Re-Cap