Shoppers in Downtown Winter Haven will have a new destination this fall. The Tree Swallow Gallery, a pop-up retail location, will exclusively feature fine art by local artists. The gallery will make its debut with an opening reception Tuesday, November 1st from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the gallery’s location at 347 West Central Avenue (across from Arabellas Ristorante).

The gallery’s content will be curated by local artists. Its “pop-up” nature will also mean unusual hours, in that it will usually be open only during the lunch and evening hours (and by appointment). Featured artwork includes sculptures by Trent Manning, David Figueroa and Marilyn Rackleman; paintings by Tony Savoie; photography by Calder Wilson and Scott Whitley; ceramics by Tim and Erika Peters; jewelry by Buffy Wilson, as well as additional items.

The Tree Swallow Gallery is sponsored by Six/Ten, LLC, in connection with its continuing goal of establishing Downtown Winter Haven’s retail presence through the power of art and creative expression. Other Downtown galleries include Outer Space at 230 Avenue C, SW, an arts incubator joint venture between the Arts Ensemble Education Foundation, Polk Museum of Art, Polk State College and Six/Ten, and Tinia Clark’s Sidestreet Studio at 110 Third Street, SW.
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“We continue to enhance our live, work, learn and play vision for the area by supporting new businesses and giving residents new reasons to come Downtown,” said Bud Strang, the CEO of Six/Ten, LLC. “Many of the Tree Swallow artists are extremely popular, although their work is seldom for sale locally. I think people will be amazed by the quality of the work that will be displayed.”

By: Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce

Six/Ten, LLC, a Winter Haven commercial and multifamily developer, has teamed up with Bond Building Partnership, LLP to build a new 36,000 sq. ft., three story medical office building for Bond Clinic at 325 North First Street, N.W. This is Downtown Winter Haven’s largest new office construction project in more than 40 years and will offer urgent care and primary medical services to the community.

“Bond Clinic has been invested in the healthcare of our community for over 68 years, purposing to meet the ever growing needs of our thriving community,” said Panagiotis Iakovidis, MD, Bond Clinic’s CEO/President of the Board.  “We are honored to partner with Six/Ten to bring to reality another structure that will further enhance our ability to provide the health care of today’s world but install the foundations of the future health care requirements. We are working conscientiously with our patients, insurance carriers and local businesses to provide the care while reducing the costs and time constrains.”  Dr. Iakovidis continued by saying, “this new campus will accommodate the Urgent Clinic and Pediatric practice as well as twelve additional providers.”

Once completed, the project is expected to bring more than 70 employees to the downtown area, with approximately 300 patient visits daily. Founded in 1948 by Dr. Benjamin Bond, the clinic has grown throughout the years from four doctors to more than 68 providers, encompassing 25 specialties. With a main campus at 500 E. Central Avenue, it was one of the first businesses in Downtown Winter Haven.
“Bond Clinic has long been a tenant of ours, and we are excited to partner with them on this latest project,” said Bud Strang, CEO of Six/Ten. “The added foot traffic generated from this new clinic will further support Winter Haven’s vision of becoming a preeminent downtown destination where people can live, work, learn and play.”

Six/Ten is serving as the project’s developer working with general contractor Everett Whitehead & Son, Inc. The project architect is WMB Architecture. Envisors, a division of Pennoni, will handle the engineering and Bank of Central Florida is providing financing.
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“The city’s Planning and Building departments have also been very helpful in this process, and we want to thank them for their prompt comments and insight during the permitting process,” said Joseph Bogdahn, Vice President of Six/Ten.

​By: The Ledger