Mardi Gras Party Opens Aveda Institute on US 19

With all the beads, feathers, sequins, masks and pomp of a New Orleans Mardi Gras party, Jim Petrillo officially opened the Aveda Institute Tampa Bay campus in Clearwater.

Students have taken classes at the school since July, but the official opening, complete with ribbon cutting, was Monday at the campus, in the former Ballys, at 28272 U.S. Highway 19 N.

The opening sparks a phase-out of classes at the St. Petersburg campus. Eventually all programs, including masters, will be offered at the Clearwater facility, said Hope Starling, marketing director with the school.

The move is because of construction near its downtown St. Petersburg campus, Starling said. The St. Pete campus still will offer salon services, Starling said.

The Clearwater campus houses classes, admissions and financial aid offices. Already there are nearly 300 students who learn the art of hair styling, massage and finger and toes detailing at the school.

In addition to teaching students, the learners practice on the public. The cost of the student services include:

• $40 for an hour massage 
• $40 facial
• $36 highlights
• $30 color
• $12 cuts
• $10 manicure
• $10 pedicure

Call 727-287-4068 or visit http://aveda.edu/institute/aveda-institute-tampa-bay-clearwater/.

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