By Elyse Grant Special to The Palm Beach Post
LAKE WORTH BEACH — At 500 Lake Ave., an older graying building sits on the corner, awaiting renovation from new owner Melissa Delprete.
The commercial lot in Lake Worth Beach was sold by Patrick Albright of Vickery Realty, and had a lengthy ownership prior to being sold.
“It was owned by the same person since the ’70s. The plans are for it to be an art studio, and it’s a great spot for it,” said Albright.
Plans for the building include an art studio, but also extend beyond it.
“We plan to have four to six shows per year, we also plan to have space to do workshops,” said Delprete.
Delprete said the main focus of the studio is to enliven the Lake Worth art scene with work that is contemporary, modern and relevant. She says will showcase local artists, but also hopes to feature artists around the globe. .Delprete is also planning to hold art classes. classes.
“I’ve been teaching freelance for the past six years — sewing, ceramics, small metals like jewelry, kind of niche workshops,” she said. “They’re really fun things that people can totally get into.”
Over time, Delprete wants to reach out to the community and plans to offer free night classes to teens, in hopes of providing them with an artistic outlet. She said she has previous experience working at local community centers and teaching youth classes.
“I plan on getting in touch with middle and high schools in Lake Worth and kind of hope to encourage them to send kids our way. I feel like it would be a really great hub,” she said.
The studio is set to open to the public in the fall, but you may see Delprete at the building throughout the summer.
The name she has picked out for the studio, Mountain, is an unusual choice for South Florida.
“Mountains, for me, have always been a source of inspiration in terms of strength and vitality,” she explained.
Ultimately, she envisions the studio as a community-based center: a place for the people of Lake Worth..
For Delprete, it’s about “giving people an outlet for their creative pursuits, a place to come together and to bring Lake Worth another avenue for connection.