by Quincy Kirn
In 1991, Executive Director of the Arts Council, Andy Witt, met with a few local business owners to discuss holding an event in downtown Pensacola dedicated to spreading culture and art awareness. This is where the nonprofit organization, known as Gallery Night, was born. Every third Friday from five to nine p.m., Palafox Street is transformed into an exhibition for local artists to showcase their work. This month, the city of Pensacola held what was dubbed, “Forks and Frames, a Foodie Gallery Night,” and I decided to attend the event.
As a Pensacola native who had never experienced this event before February 21, 2025, I was shocked to see that the streets I’d walked down so many times had been turned into such a welcoming and beautiful place. It was quite a scene as my senses enjoyed a firsthand experience of all that the environment around me had to offer – the sounds of live music, the sights of multiple brightly colored food trucks, and the aroma of the many cuisines luring me to come try a bite.
The shops were mostly empty, but the streets were jumping with stages set up for young musicians to make their mark with original ballads. Sections of walkways were blocked off for local bands to play covers of popular tracks. The canopy tents that lined the sidewalks were full of things for sale, from crocheted stuffed animals and clothing, hand-drawn stickers and magnets, and many kinds of jewelry; I became very intrigued with the rings made from antique silverware, and the paintings crafted with different mediums from varying perspectives.
One of the artists debuting at this month’s affair was Pensacola State College student and self-portrait painter, Kristen Shore, better known as The Peanut Gallery. Although Shore is planning to become a paralegal, her passion lies in creating art. When asked what drew her to painting in the first place she stated, “It was how I learned to cope when my mental health was at its lowest. I’m a self-taught painter and I started in third grade.” She continued, “Most of my pieces are self-portraits because I’m the person I know best!” Her hauntingly beautiful paintings give you a small insight into how Shore views herself, using vibrant colors to contrast the darker undertones of the pieces. I was curious to know what her favorite aspect of being an artist was, and when questioned about it, she surprisingly mentioned connecting with people and seeing their reactions to the images she has created. As a fellow painter, I appreciate this connection. Hopefully, Shore will continue to share her art through more exhibitions in the future.
After perusing the art offerings, and making a few purchases from the various artisans, I decided it was time to spare my bank account from total annihilation. It was definitely time to shift from feeding my creative side to feeding my appetite! It was almost overwhelming to try to choose from the many food trucks that offered such delectable choices – salty lobster rolls, rich birria tacos, juicy burgers with all the toppings, and gyros bursting with flavorful lamb! Oh, and stopping by the light pink truck for a hot cocoa was going to be a must-do for an enjoyably sweet finish!
I opted for the tacos and while in the line for the taco truck, I met Lindsey Sheets, a Pensacola State College student attending the festivities. She stated that she was thrilled when she saw gallery night was still going to be held, despite the cold. When asked about where her attention for the night mainly lied, she announced, “I came out for the authentic food trucks from all the diverse cultures, but I ended up staying to see all the artists’ projects.” This is Sheet’s fifth time at the monthly media showcase and will surely not be her last.
With my foodie side satisfied, it was humbling to reflect on the four hours I had spent at Gallery Night. The time flew by without a dull moment. The constant changes in themes at this monthly event are sure to keep all patrons on their toes while exploring what really makes Pensacola tick. From 1920s jazz night to a vintage car show in August, there truly is a theme for everyone. This free event is also a great chance for people of all ages to see the city and support the local musicians, artists, and chefs.
Visit gallerynightpensacola.org to check out the schedule and be sure to plan a visit soon. You won’t regret it!
