Vibrant Art Scene - Galleries
Arts | Culture
Arts | Culture
Advice from the local experts on the Sarasota and Bradenton art scene: Don’t expect to be able to absorb it all in just one day—or even one week. Discovering the arts and culture of Sarasota is process that is in constant evolution, alongside the ever-changing and growing scene on Florida’s Cultural Coast.Hosting dozens of art shows throughout the year, local artists and those across the country come to participate in these events.
The attractions listed below only begin to scratch the surface of the vibrant arts and culture that await in this region. The best way to treat the eyes and other senses in true fashion is to do as the locals do—hit the streets and explore the scene. Be it a gallery lined with sumptuous Baroque paintings, awe-inspiring photographs of the primitive Florida landscape, or one-of-a-kind upcycled furniture crafted by quirky antique salvage hunters—there’s something for every explorer that seeks an artful adventure.
Sarasota is home to a diverse range of art galleries that showcase a variety of styles and mediums. Here are some of the notable galleries in the area:
The Art Center Sarasota is a prominent cultural institution located in Sarasota, Florida. Here's some information about the Art Center Sarasota:
Mission and Purpose: The Art Center Sarasota is dedicated to promoting and fostering creativity and artistic expression in the community. Its mission is to provide opportunities for artists to exhibit their work, offer art education programs, and engage the public in contemporary art experiences.
Exhibitions: The Art Center Sarasota hosts a diverse range of exhibitions throughout the year. These exhibitions feature works by local, regional, and national artists, showcasing various mediums such as painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, mixed media, and more. The center's galleries provide a space for artists to display their creations and offer the public a chance to engage with contemporary art.
Art Education: The Art Center Sarasota is committed to art education and offers a variety of classes, workshops, and programs for artists of all skill levels and ages. They provide opportunities to learn and develop artistic techniques in a supportive and creative environment. The classes cover a wide range of mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, and digital art.
Outreach and Community Engagement: The Art Center Sarasota actively engages with the local community through outreach programs and collaborations. They organize events, lectures, and demonstrations that are open to the public, fostering dialogue and creating connections between artists and art enthusiasts.
Artist Opportunities: The Art Center Sarasota provides opportunities for artists to showcase their work and gain exposure. They hold juried exhibitions, calls for artists, and members' shows, allowing artists to exhibit their creations in a professional setting and connect with a broader audience.
Art Shop: The Art Center Sarasota operates an art shop that features a curated selection of unique and locally-made artwork, including paintings, ceramics, jewelry, prints, and other handmade items. This provides visitors with the opportunity to support local artists and purchase original artworks.
Facility and Events: The Art Center Sarasota is housed in a modern facility equipped with exhibition spaces, classrooms, a sculpture garden, and a community room. They also host special events, fundraisers, and art-related programs throughout the year, including lectures, art walks, and collaborative events with other cultural organizations in the area.
The Art Center Sarasota plays a significant role in Sarasota's vibrant arts community, serving as a hub for artistic expression, education, and engagement. It offers a platform for artists to showcase their work, provides learning opportunities, and encourages the appreciation and understanding of contemporary art.
This contemporary art gallery features works by established and emerging artists in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. The gallery focuses on innovative and thought-provoking art that challenges traditional boundaries.
This contemporary art gallery features works by established and emerging artists in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. The gallery focuses on art that is engaging, thought-provoking, and visually stimulating.
The Wyland Art Gallery on St. Armand's Circle is a prominent art gallery dedicated to the works of marine life artist Wyland. Wyland, whose full name is Robert Wyland, is renowned for his large-scale marine life murals and artwork that promotes conservation and environmental awareness.
The Wyland Art Gallery showcases a wide range of Wyland's artwork, including original paintings, limited edition prints, sculptures, and jewelry. The gallery provides visitors with an opportunity to explore and appreciate Wyland's depictions of dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and other marine creatures.
In addition to displaying Wyland's artwork, the gallery often hosts special events, exhibitions, and artist appearances. It serves as a platform to engage the community in discussions about marine conservation and the importance of preserving the world's oceans.
This cooperative gallery features works by over 30 local artists in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, and ceramics. The gallery also hosts regular events and exhibitions throughout the year.
This contemporary art gallery features works by established and emerging artists in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. The gallery focuses on art that is intellectually challenging, socially relevant, and visually stunning.
Tap into your creative side and browse through a vast collection of fine art and handmade one-of-a-kind gifts! From shopping to creating, unleash your inner artist with ceramic painting, pottery on the wheel or a fun art class in our studio. Host a birthday, get together or special event. Over 300 artists wares featured in their gallery. Plus a dozen art classes - from pottery, to painting, to crafts.
This contemporary art museum features exhibitions of national and international artists and hosts innovative, educational programming for all ages. The museum is located in a historic, renovated Sarasota High School building.
Sarasota's art galleries are a diverse and vibrant community that celebrates creativity and innovation in the visual arts. Whether you're interested in contemporary art or more traditional styles, there's always something inspiring and thought-provoking to see in this dynamic Florida city.
The museum was established in 1927 by John and Mable Ringling, who were the founders of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The museum is part of the larger Ringling complex, which also includes a circus museum, Ca' D'Zan mansion, and the historic Asolo Theater.
The Ringling Museum of Art features a wide range of art collections and exhibitions, with a focus on European art from the 16th to the 20th centuries. The museum's permanent collection includes works by many famous artists, including Rubens, Velazquez, El Greco, and Titian. The museum also has a collection of Asian art, including works from China, Japan, and Korea.
One of the museum's most famous works is the painting "The Ringling Madonna" by Bartolomeo Vivarini, which was acquired by John Ringling in 1924 and is now one of the museum's most treasured possessions.
In addition to its permanent collection, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year, featuring works by contemporary artists as well as historical and cultural exhibitions. The museum also offers educational programs, including guided tours, lectures, and workshops.
The Ringling Museum of Art is located on a 66-acre estate on Sarasota Bay, with views of the water and the Gulf of Mexico. The museum is open to the public six days a week and admission fees vary based on age and membership status.
Tucked away in “old Florida”-style bungalows on narrow brick streets, the Towles Court Colony in downtown Sarasota was established in the 1990s as a unique experiment to bring artists together in a live-work, studio-driven neighborhood. Two decades after the first artist studio was leased in 1995, the hidden community has evolved into a unique collective of artist studios and galleries, interior and graphic designers, art therapists and teachers, jewelry makers and potters, salons, cafes and more.
Slightly off the beaten path, but easily walkable in the downtown area, Towles Court is sometimes referred to as a “hidden treasure” in Sarasota.
The quiet, hidden Towles Court community springs to life during its monthly Art Walks, taking place on the third Friday of each month. During these evening art walks, artists open their studios, galleries and businesses for extended hours from 5-9pm, and offerings of refreshments and live music are abundant.
Following in the footsteps of the Towles Court Artist Colony is the Historic Downtown Village in Gillespie Park, at the northern edge of downtown Sarasota. The Historic Downtown Village, established circa 2010, is a colorful collection of renovated American Craftsman style cottages housing local art and classes, boutique shops, and cute, mom-and-pop style eateries.
Pay a visit to the Artful Giraffe in the Gillespie Village for whimsical art and gifts, and stick around for a variety of classes taught by local artists in the studio behind the shop. The Artful Giraffe “Paint Your Own Pottery” studio gives anyone the chance to try their hand at creating and painting their own clay creations, which are then glazed and fired by Artful Giraffe ceramic artists.
The Historic Downtown Village in Gillespie Park also features a monthly Art Walk throughout the entire year, on the fourth Friday of each month. Similar to Towles Court, Village shops stay open for extended hours, offering live entertainment and Art Walk bites.
Just outside the western edge of the Gillespie Park neighborhood coexist the Rosemary Historic District and the Sarasota Design District. Located within similar geographic boundaries, these unique districts are another hidden gem that embody the visual culture and unique style of Sarasota’s contemporary tastemakers.
Architecture and design-centric businesses and retail make up the core of the Rosemary and Design Districts. For interior design aficionados, the showroom at Home Resource is a must-visit, even if only for a day of window-shopping. Home Resource is the leading contemporary furniture showroom in southwest Florida, carrying premiere European and North American furniture lines, almost exclusively available in Sarasota in this region.
Just minutes away from Home Resource is Sarasota Architectural Salvage (SAS) offers an entirely different style of contemporary furniture and art from its sophisticated neighboring showroom. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure in the one-of-a-kind, warehouse-style shop that is one part art and furniture gallery, one part trinket-laden rummage pile, and 100% unique treasure heap. SAS has garnered national praise for its upcycled furniture and art, largely crafted by from materials that are salvaged from historic structure demolitions and renovations around the greater Sarasota and Tampa Bay region.
For a well-rounded exploration of local arts and culture in Sarasota, a visit to the eclectic neighborhoods and districts detailed above is the best way to truly immerse oneself in the homegrown local scene.
The Village of the Arts is a unique community located in Bradenton, Florida. It is an eclectic neighborhood of colorful, historic homes and buildings that have been transformed into art galleries, studios, restaurants, and shops. The village is known for its vibrant arts scene and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
The Village of the Arts was established in the mid-1990s when a group of artists and entrepreneurs decided to turn a neglected neighborhood into a thriving arts community. The village is located in the heart of Bradenton and spans 36 acres, with over 50 buildings that have been transformed into galleries and studios. The village is home to over 30 artists who work in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, pottery, and photography.
In addition to art galleries and studios, the Village of the Arts is also home to several restaurants, cafes, and shops. The village has a vibrant food scene, with options ranging from fine dining to casual cafes. Many of the restaurants in the village use locally-sourced ingredients, and some even have their own gardens on-site.
The Village of the Arts is also a popular destination for events and festivals. The village hosts several art walks throughout the year, where visitors can stroll through the galleries and studios, meet the artists, and enjoy live music and entertainment. The village also hosts several holiday events, including a Christmas parade and a holiday open house.
Village of the Arts is a vibrant and eclectic community that celebrates creativity and the arts. Whether you're an art lover or just looking for a unique experience, it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the Bradenton area.
Arts | Culture
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