Art Center Sarasota

History

Art Center Sarasota has a long and distinguished local art history. The result of a merger of two long-standing galleries and studios, along with their associated memberships, Art Center Sarasota continues a tradition of art education and exhibits that has spanned more than 60 years. Part of our tradition comes from the Sarasota Visual Art Center, located in downtown Sarasota since 1948. Incorporated as the Sarasota Art Association in 1928, the Center itself was built after the war, a building typical of the then-popular Sarasota School of Architecture. Many renowned local artists like Jerry Farnsworth, Eldon Rowland and Syd Solomon were instrumental in establishing the Center as the focal point for Sarasota's visual arts.

In those early years, Hilton Leech was teaching watercolor painting at the Ringling School of Art. Interrupted by the war, Leech and his wife Dorothy, also an artist, returned to Sarasota in 1946 to open their own art school in the historic Hillview Avenue Art District. In 1960, they built a landmark and unique round studio on Riverwood Avenue.
Here their many students and friends met in class or gathered informally to share, learn and experiment with various art forms. In 1963, the Friends of the Arts & Sciences was chartered. Untill 1999, FAS continued a series of annual watercolor workshops begun by Leech.

Then in 1999, the Sarasota Visual Arts Center and the Friends of the Arts & Sciences merged and became Art Center Sarasota. It is a member-supported, non-profit art association whose mission is to support visual arts by providing quality art education and focusing interest on the considerable quality of art done by local artists.

Join us as we expand our services, renovate our classrooms and gallery space, and participate in the exciting growth of downtown Sarasota. You will see why we are proud to be part of the merger of two traditions which represent the commitment of local artists to the Sarasota community and their art.
 

Art Center Sarasota
707 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 or email
Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. Closed on Sunday and Monday
Extended hours for special events, opening receptions, demonstrations and classes.