Art Center Sarasota
Art Center Sarasota, located at 707 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, is an organization that offers to Sarasota residents and visitors a wide variety of art-related opportunities, including workshops, exhibits, classes, and arts education programs. Renowned professionals from around the United States share their knowledge and experience with the public at the Art Center.
The Art Center is a coordination of the Sarasota Visual Art Center, a Sarasota presence for nearly 60 years, and the Friends of the Arts & Sciences, chartered in 1963. A result of a merger between the two, today´s Art Center Sarasota is a member-supported, non-profit association.
An Exhibition Committee of practicing artists plans exhibits that are shown throughout the year, with a stated goal of increasing awareness and appreciation of art. Exhibitions allow the greater Sarasota community to experience the works of local artists as well as talented artists from around the nation.
Numerous and diverse exhibitions are presented throughout the year at the Art Center. The Florida Watercolor Society presents an annual exhibition at the Art Center. Planned events for the year 2007 include "Artistic Couples," representing the work of artistic couples in a nod to Valentine´s Day; "Selby Gardens," featuring work representing the flora and fauna at Sarasota´s Marie Selby Gardens; "Portrait Painters," with work by artists from the Portrait Painter Society of Sarasota; and the 4th annual Florida Photo Show. Many of the exhibits have special events associated with them, such as jury award presentations and opening festivities.
Art Center Sarasota´s grounds include the Sam & Sally Shapiro Sculpture Garden, landscaped gardens that feature twelve sculptures by artists including Roy Bellas, Jack Dowd, and others. The Art Center also exhibits fifty pieces of art at Sarasota´s City Hall and the city´s Federal Building.
Numerous special events are hosted throughout the year by Art Center Sarasota. One popular event, and a major fundraiser for the Center, is the popular "Tour of Artisans´ Homes & Studios." The Tour features artwork of various mediums in the context of a home tour, with artisans´ work available for sale and proceeds benefiting both artists and the Center´s community art projects. The most current information on the Tour and on other special events associated with the Art Center is available online at http://www.artsarasota.org/events.htm.
Art Center Sarasota offers a variety of educational opportunities for children and adults. "Creative Kids" Saturday art classes allow children ages 6 through 12 to experience art through painting, drawing, collage, mosaic, clay, and sculpture. Through a special partnership with Senior Friendship Centers, the Art Center participates in outreach to bring the opportunity to experience and create art to senior citizens in the Sarasota area.
Adults can participate in workshops, which for 2007 are scheduled to include "Boot Camp for Expressionists," "Painting With Passion," "Exploring Color in Nature," "Painting Flowers in Watercolor," "Expressive Portraits in Watercolor," "Watercolor and Chinese Painting," and workshops on Asian brush painting, feltmaking, clay sculpture, and many more. Information on prices and registration can be found at http://www.artsarasota.org/workshops.htm. "Watercolor Wednesdays" provides free watercolor painting lessons to the public on Wednesday mornings.
More information about Art Center Sarasota, including membership opportunities, is available by visiting the Center´s website at http://www.artsarasota.org, or by calling the Center (941) 365-2032 or emailing artsarasota@aol.com.
