Peacock Arts District
The Orange Avenue corridor was historically a bustling part of Fort Pierce. Shops, salons and markets lined the street and created an abundance of activity from residents who lived in the immediate vicinity and beyond. However, for some time now, the area between U.S. Hwy 1 and 10th Street has been in need of revitalization.
The City of Fort Pierce recognized that something needed to be done to help refresh the area beyond the brick pavers which were installed. In an effort to garner the community’s feedback about their vision for this region, the City of Fort Pierce held an Orange Avenue Community Meeting in March 2016. Since that meeting was held, city staff has been focused on making our community’s vision a reality.
The name, Peacock Arts District or “PAD,” was generated by the community during the public meeting and the area is now being branded with its own unique identity and culture. A logo was designed by a local artist to bring distinctiveness to the district and to create its very own brand. Many beautification projects are underway, including enhanced lighting, street pole banners and the painting of 14 terracotta pots to line Orange Avenue within the PAD.
The Painted Pots Project is in partnership with Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful, Fort Pierce Lions Club and many local artists. The terracotta pots were purchased by the City along with gorgeous Southern Red Cedars which will infuse color and life into the corridor. To take it one step further, Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful and the Fort Pierce Lions Club coordinated with local artists to paint each individual pot with vibrant colors that capture the reinvigorated feeling of the corridor. The participating artists include: Al Black, Colleen Nash Becht, Debi Crouse, Richard Edwards, Janet Bird Fuller, Isaac Knight, Doug Macon, Mary Bemenderfer Myers, Nyla Pipes, Anita Prentice, 2nd Generation Tracy Newton, Stacey Varn, Denice Ball Vlachos and Woodcarver’s Den (Cherylynn Ferrari, Maureen Peterman, Judith Suit, Joe Young). All of these artists have donated their time, talent and materials to help beautify Fort Pierce and we are all so very appreciative of their efforts.