Melange is a Creative Hub in Historic Downtown

There is something very special happening in the downtown historic district of Lake Wales. Melange Antiques and Art Gallery has moved to a new location at the corner of Park Avenue and Scenic Highway, and is now offering much more than its former incarnation.

Melange Antiques originated in Venice, Florida. Proprietor Linda Ann Truitt brought it in 2014 to Lake Wales, where it became Melange Antiques, Art Gallery & Wine Bar. In September 2018, the establishment moved down the street to a much larger building at 250 East Park Avenue.

Distinguished by an entrance portico featuring Tuscan columns, the new location was built in 1915 as the Lake Wales State Bank, which served the area throughout the Great Depression and remained solvent until 1953. More recently, it served as the offices of the First Quality Insurance Group.

The new, larger antique showroom, with natural wood columns,12-foot ceilings and crystal chandeliers, contains even more unique gifts, collectible art, antique furniture and rare treasures than its predecessor. The old bank vault is now an eclectic, marquee-style lighted room replete with books, vintage vinyl records, and music-related artwork.

Once the showroom and vault were secured, there were many other rooms in the old bank building that were available for lease. So a few friends of Melange pooled their talents and resources to occupy the entire first floor, thus creating room to pursue ideas that the old venue could only dream about.

The all new Art Gallery at Melange, for example, is a curated exhibition space for local and contemporary artists, with exhibits changing about every five weeks and gala opening receptions featuring live music, wine and hors d'oeuvres. The gallery also will host music events, film screenings, and other performing arts. The adjacent creative studio will provide opportunities for painting parties and art classes for adults and children. There will also be a custom picture framing service and a professional portrait photography studio on the premises.

An elegant sitting room, adjoining the antique showplace and the lavish art gallery - with 12-foot ceilings, oriental carpets, fireplaces and chandeliers throughout - will offer book clubs and discussion groups, as well as the Living Out Loud Poet's and Writer's Society.

Through the Baccus Center for lifelong learning, there will be a range of classes and seminars to pro-mote the improvement and continued health of the body, mind and spirit. Some of these will take place in one or more of the spacious and luxurious conference rooms on the second floor.

This burgeoning cultural melange of wares and activities also plans to add a wine and beer bar to its list of offerings. Guests will be able to enjoy a glass of beer or wine in a variety of settings, from the living room style furnished area in the northeastern corner of the showroom, among a backdrop of collectible artifacts - to the few more intimate seating areas throughout the antiques gallery. The privacy and sophistication of the crimson and gold sitting room might appeal to some,and could even be reserved for small group gatherings - while a cluster of bistro tables soon to be placed around the gallery will accommodate larger groups for private parties or special events.

Melange Antiques & Art Gallery is a co-op partnership, with a limited number of partners - but memberships will soon be available. Club memberships will entitle cardholders to a wide range of opportunities and privileges including discounts on everything from art to antiques and beverages. Some of the spaces are available to be rented on an hourly basis to members (at a discount) as well as non-members, to conduct their own workshops, parties, classes or events. Artists' studio spaces on the second floor and adjacent building also are available for lease.

Please contact Linda Truitt at 941-355-1107 or Chevon Baccus at 863-651-1065 for more information, or find us on Facebook under Melange Antiques and Art Gallery.