Art Gallery

THE ARTS ADVOCATES GALLERY

The Arts Advocates Gallery displays works from our unparalleled collection of Sarasota Art Colony paintings and sculptures and Florida Highwaymen artworks. The gallery is open every Saturday from 2:00-4:00 pm with free docent tours at 3:00 pm (no appointment required).

Our gallery was named Best New Gallery in Sarasota Magazine’s The Best of Sarasota 2022 Editor’s Picks! "Arts Advocates has long been a collector and exhibitor of works by Sarasota artists, including our well-known Sarasota Colony luminaries. But when it opened its own space in the Crossings at Siesta Mall, it found a more permanent home and a spot where docent-guided tours could enlighten visitors.” Read the whole article here.

The gallery is also available for other organizations to host events. To arrange group and special tours, contact docent team leader Stephenie Frasher at docent@artsadvocates.org. For group events, contact Donna Maytham, gallery director, at pavlova03@comcast.net.

ON EXHIBIT

Currently on exhibit at the Arts Advocates Gallery are more than 20 pieces from our collection of renowned works by the Sarasota Colony of Artists who, in the 1920s, began migrating to Sarasota inspired by its natural beauty. They were also drawn by the arrival of noted art collector John Ringling, whose colorful and dynamic circus acts inspired many paintings and sculptures.

Also on view are five paintings by the Florida Highwaymen. The Highwaymen were a group of 26 black artists, including one woman, who were mostly self-taught and painted in Florida from the 1950s on for several decades. Because they were not invited to show their work in galleries, they sold their work from their cars along US 1 and AIA.

Over the years, our works of art have been on display at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and will continue to be shown there as well.

Group and special tours can be arranged through Stephenie Frasher, docent team leader, at docent@artsadvocates.org or by calling 443-454-2206.

The Arts Advocates Gallery
Suite 119, The Crossings at Siesta Mall
3501 S. Tamiami Trail at Siesta Drive, Sarasota

Directions

ARTS ADVOCATES MEMBER EXHIBITS

We are pleased to offer our members the opportunity to exhibit in our gallery. These pop-up shows run in conjunction with our main exhibit. The gallery is open every Saturday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.

Isabel Anchin Becker • Saturday, May 21 - Saturday, June 25

Isabel Anchin Becker developed a form of fabric used for pictures after many years of sewing clothing and quilting and then reading a cloth children’s book to her grandchildren. She uses fabric, thread, and a sewing machine, and more recently she converts her photographs into the fabric she uses. Fabric Play Arts is a collection of one-of-a-kind-fabric pictures which become an exhibit. Themes change according to what inspires the artist, from recent travel, a particular fabric, a simple idea, and nature.

Art Gallery Events

There are no up-coming events

HOLD YOUR EVENT IN OUR GALLERY

The Arts Advocates Gallery is available to other organizations hosting special meetings, concerts and events. For more information, please contact Donna Maytham, gallery director, at 941-351-5361.

Fine Arts Society of Sarasota, Inc.
PO Box 1432
Sarasota, FL 34230-1432

Become A Member

The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota, Inc. is a “501© (3) Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Organization licensed in 1969- a charity for Education/School Systems services.” PURPOSE: The organization promotes, encourages, supports and generally furthers the best interests of the arts in Florida and in particular, recognizes, honors and perpetuates the fine arts, creative products and works of Florida artists.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES AT WWW.800HELPFLA.COM OR BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800—HELP-FLA (435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.