New arts center aims to capitalize on the "IKEA-zation" of Ybor City

The latest addition to the Ybor City arts scene is part gallery, theater, concert hall, gift shop and classroom.

The founders wanted Arts on 9th to focus on all aspects of art, where people feel just as comfortable watching a heavy metal band as taking a sewing class.

"We're trying to be more of an arts center than a gallery,'' said Jeff Svajdlenka, one of the four owners. "We're not going to just hang works on the walls.''

Svajdlenka opened the nonprofit center at 1513 E Ninth Ave. in March with his wife, Tawnyia, and co-founders Rosemary Saunders and John Burchett — all of whom have other jobs. They rent the former warehouse from Jack Shiver, owner of the nearby Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn, who had been using it for storage.

The 6,600-square-foot center has a large theater, art gallery, gift shop, costume-making room and classroom studios. The main rooms have skylights, hence the Skylight Theater and Skylight Gallery.

The founding artists hope the center adds more maturity to Ybor, a destination often associated with a young bar crowd and late-night crime. The owners are in their 40s and 50s and, between them, have decades of experience in the arts. Saunders, a costume maker, has been a frequent finalist in the annual Guavaween costume contest and works as a Ybor ambassador helping tourists.

Despite the tough economic times, the group decided to open now in anticipation of the "IKEA-zation'' of Ybor, as Svadjlenka calls it. They expect some of the crowds headed to the soon-to-open furniture store will spill over into Ybor.

"It would be nice to compete with St. Pete,'' said Burchett, noting the city's plentiful galleries and art businesses.

In its first month, the center has hosted performances by the heavy metal band Soulidium and the 15-piece Boulevard Jazz Orchestra, which returns April 17. It holds cigar rolling and belly-dancing classes and plans to add courses in ceramics, drawing, painting, sewing and astrology. The gift shop sells costumes, jewelry, ceramic pieces and art supplies.

On display through mid-April is Roommates, an exhibit of paintings, pastel and chalk works by roommates Damon Navari and Reuben Garcia, a first-time exhibitor.