An Artist's Guide to Sarasota County's Galleries: Explore Local & International Art

Both local and renowned visiting artists of Sarasota display their craft and talents in exhibitions and galleries all year round. And if you come on the right day, you may even catch an opening night or get the opportunity to meet the artist. Though, no matter when you show, you can expect to leave feeling more inspired and enlightened than when you came. After all, we are Florida's Cultural Coast®.

Gallery-Dense Neighborhoods

Not sure where to begin? There are several locales where colonies of artists and a congregation of galleries await. Nestled in plain sight within the quaint Laurel Park neighborhood of Downtown Sarasota, Towles Court Artist Studios host Open Studio Nights on the third Friday of each month, October to May. Discover artwork and connect with fellow art lovers and artists. 

The rest of the downtown area welcomes shoppers and explorers to peruse everything from high-end rugs and jewelry to art at local galleries such as Palm Avenue Fine Art, Creaturo Studio/Gallery, Burns Gallery on Palm, MARA Art Studio + Gallery, Milan Art Gallery, New Modern Contemporary Art, State of the Arts Gallery, Chasen Galleries, AlexArt International Art Gallery and more to provide a broad cultural canvas for art connoisseurs to peruse or take home their next masterpiece. 

Just a stone's throw away, wander the Limelight District, a budding arts sector a short ride northeast from Main Street. The area continues to evolve with The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime as the hub, an indie indoor market designed to be a place where 40+ local vendors showcase their talents, wares, original art, collectibles, gifts, clothing, jewelry and so much more. This is also where you'll find the Limelight Market, held every 3rd Saturday to stroll artwork and enjoy live music. The Makery SRQ located in the courtyard of The Bazaar offers a variety of classes for kids and adults including getting in the pottery wheel.The district is also home to Palmer Modern Studio and Gallery, as well as the flagship location of Creative Liberties Artist Studios & Gallery, a dynamic art community of local artists who open their working studios to curious visitors. Want to partake in classes yourself? Its secondary location can also be found in Limelight, where the Creative Academy classroom hosts workshops such as weaving, rock painting, recycled journaling and more. 

A few blocks over towards the bayfront, discover the burgeoning Rosemary District and its dozens of mural art. In your explorations, find hip, contemporary galleries, such as Alfstad& Editions and SKC STUDIO ON 5TH, as well as tucked-away architecture and interior design studios. Further up the road, unearth madeby gallery at Ringling College of Art + Design, showcasing a myriad of mediums and the cutting-edge, limited-edition work of Ringling College students or graduates. 

Down the coastline in Venice, Clyde Butcher Art Gallery features an expansive selection of award-winning, limited edition, hand-printed B&W photographs from the art, nature and history buff himself. Books and gifts are also available for purchase. Stroll the historic downtown district of cafes and boutiques and you'll stumble across Number 33 Gallery of Arts, Carroll Swayze Studio & Gallery, Collectors Gallery & Framery and more. Technically in the town over of Nokomis, The Cottage Art Gallery and Boulevard Find Art South Gallery are not to be missed. 

In Englewood, there is no shortage of inspiring spaces to explore through the Old Florida locale. Be sure to check out the works at Boulevard Fine Art South Gallery, Green Artist, The Open Studio, Old Florida Outdoor Center & Gallery and more. This a great spot to find talented local artists to do commissions for custom projects or special occasions. If you plan it right, or get lucky, you'll be in Englewood for one of The Hermitage Artist Retreat's free public events surrounding the discussion of visual arts, literature and music.

Community Art Centers

Several art centers also call Sarasota home. Art Center Sarasota offers three curated galleries featuring contemporary works and creative opportunities such as educational programs and artist demonstrations that are affordable and accessible to the entire community. The center also has a large atrium gallery dedicated to showcasing the region's talented artists in juried competitions. 

Located in the heart of Englewood, the Englewood Art Center (EAC) is a thriving arts community part of Ringling College Art+ Design. With four distinct galleries, the EAC showcases a diverse range of events and exhibitions—from established artists to up-and-coming local talents. In addition to its gallery space, the center houses 2D studio classrooms, a ceramics studio, a digital media studio and a lending library. 

The Venice Art Center is another gem with free-to-the-public exhibitions, an artisan gift shop, an art library and cafe and over 500 classes held annually—focused on providing knowledge and appreciation for all forms of visual art. The center continues to support local artists by offering them many opportunities to express their creativity, sell their work and give them the platform to teach others.

Museum Galleries

The Sarasota Art Museum, located in the historic Sarasota High School, is a haven for contemporary art enthusiasts. The museum features a rotating collection of thought-provoking exhibitions from emerging and established artists, with an emphasis on culture and the modern world. Room-to-room, the bright white-walled galleries are meticulously curated to showcase an array of art mediums—from painting and sculpture to video installations and mixed media—that are sure to spark discussion, inspiration or engagement.

Offering an exquisite world-class collection that spans centuries and continents, The Ringling Museum of Art remains a cultural and historic gem of Sarasota. The museum’s ornate galleries are a maze of wonder—home to an impressive array of European paintings, as well as decorative arts, Asian art, and modern and contemporary pieces. The stunning architecture of the galleries, coupled with the museum's rose gardens, circus history and bayfront setting, creates an inimitable experience for old-world art lovers. 

Keep an eye on Visit Sarasota's Events calendar to stay up-to-date on year-round arts and culture events taking place throughout Sarasota.