Upcoming Events
Artists on Art - A Peer Critique: Photography
Critiques are aimed at fostering artistic growth through constructive and insightful feedback while discussing the ins and outs of the photographic medium. Photographers share their work, up to 5 images per meeting, either with physical prints or digital images displayed on our MacBook monitors in the digital lab.
Mondays, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, $5 registration fee per meeting
Upcoming Critiques:
Monday, October 5, 2026, click to register
Creative Practice - Collage and Sticker Making
Get creative and make something uniquely yours! Join us for a relaxed, social evening of collage and sticker making in our gallery space. Enjoy music while you cut, layer, mix, and experiment with colors, textures, and imagery. Make a collage, design your own stickers, or simply follow your inspiration.
No experience is necessary, and all materials are provided. Come solo or bring a friend, and stay for 20 minutes or the whole evening! Beverages will be available for purchase.
$15 Member | $20 Nonmember
Wed. Oct 7, 2026 | 5:30–7:30 pm click to register
Artist Talk with Jorge Blanco
Join us for an intimate conversation with Jorge Blanco as he explains the inspirations behind the work in his current exhibition, Joy in Motion.
Jorge is a Venezuelan-American artist, internationally recognized for his public sculptures, graphic design and illustrations. He studied Industrial Design at the Neumann Institute of Design in Caracas before continuing his artistic training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, Italy.
His story is one of evolution, from a curious child inspired by abstract art to a celebrated artist whose colorful, uplifting sculptures dot public spaces. Jorge served as the Creative Director of the Children's Museum of Caracas, and he is widely recognized as the creator of the long-running comic strip El Náufrago (The Castaway).
Doors Open at 5:00pm for mingling & refreshments; Artist Talk begins promptly at 5:30pm.
$10 Registration
Thu. Oct 15, 2026 | 5:30 pm click to register
Juror Critique with Danny Canton
Join us for this free event as Danny Canton walks us through his process for selecting the Award winners for Strange Weather.
This exhibition celebrates the surreal, inviting artists to explore worlds where reality bends, logic dissolves, and the unexpected becomes possible. Strange Weather serves as a metaphor for moments of transformation, uncertainty, and the uncanny rather than literal atmospheric conditions. Artists are encouraged to create work that embraces dreamlike imagery, psychological landscapes, improbable juxtapositions, and the strange beauty of the impossible.
Free Admission
Mon. Oct 19, 2026 | 4 pm
Art Royale
Enter the Ring!
Experience the excitement of live art competition as local artists race the clock to create original works inspired by surprise themes and creative twists. Guests enjoy music, refreshments, audience voting, and the opportunity to purchase artwork.
10 Artists - One Champion
$15 Member | $20 Nonmember
Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 5-8 pm. click to buy tickets
Artist Talk & Book Signing with Philomena Marano
Philomena will share her Hysterical Society stories and memories along with a slide show of the Coney Island landscape and of the colorful personalities she met there and how they deeply impacted her art.
She has been a member of the Arts Center since 2017 and had a solo exhibit in 2022 of her Coney Island and circus inspired paper collie’ (cut paper) works titled, SIGNS & WONDERS.
Her new book will be introduced & available:
HYSTERICAL CONEY ISLAND An art memoir of the Coney Island Hysterical Society
by Richard Eagan & Philomena Marano
Thu. Nov 5, 2026 from 4-6 pm. click to register
Holiday Sidewalk Sale
Discover one-of-a-kind treasures and celebrate local creativity at Art Center Sarasota’s 2026 Holiday Sidewalk Sale! Step into a festive, open-air market filled with original artwork, handcrafted jewelry, unique ceramics, cozy textiles, home décor, and thoughtful holiday gifts created by Sarasota’s finest artists, artisans, and emerging makers.
Stroll through the scenic Sam & Sally Shapiro Sculpture Garden, the Andrew & Lathrop Ford Bayfront Sculpture Garden, and along the Bayfront Promenade. It’s the ultimate holiday shopping experience where you can meet the creators behind the work, find truly unique gifts for everyone on your list, and enjoy a vibrant day supporting our local arts community.
Event: Saturday, December 5, 2026 from 10 am - 4 pm.
Deadline for Vendor Submissions: Sun. Nov 1, 2026. Submit here
Save the Date
Artist Talk with Karina Yanes
Join us for this ticketed event as artist Karina Yanes walks us through her process and inspiration behind her solo exhibition, Olive Branches Carried Us Home.
In her upcoming exhibition, Karina Yanes combines symbols of Palestinian endurance and identity with imagery drawn from her family’s stories of life in Palestine, reflecting on how cultural symbols and lived experiences intertwine to carry traditions and memories across generations. Their transformation into ceramic gives these narratives the power to endure.
Friday, November 6, 5:30 pm
Doors Open at 5:00pm for mingling & refreshments; Artist Talk begins promptly at 5:30pm.
Creative Happy Hour: Art & Culture Trivia
Gather your team for an entertaining evening of art, history, pop culture, and local trivia. Enjoy a lively social atmosphere, beverages available for purchase, friendly competition, and prizes while connecting with fellow art enthusiasts.
Friday, November 13, 6-8 pm
Jorge Blanco, Hi, Bunny
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Andrew & Lathrop Ford Bayfront Sculpture Garden
The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the official opening of the Andrew and Lathrop Ford Bayfront Sculpture Garden, recognizing a transformative gift supporting the expansion and continued growth of this dynamic outdoor exhibition space.
Save the date for Saturday, November 7, 2026, and join us for the celebration. We’ll unveil two new additions to the grounds: a monumental sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Jorge Blanco and a site-specific work by local artist Zach Gilliland.
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Retro Remix
Inspired by the vibrant creative culture of the 1970s—Studio 54, disco, downtown art scenes, DIY culture, bold color, experimentation, and community—Retro Remix celebrates the artists, members, volunteers, and supporters who make Art Center Sarasota thrive.
Join usfor an unforgettable evening featuring live music, interactive art activities, food, drinks, and exciting raffles.
Held during the Annual Members Show, the event naturally reinforces the idea that everyone has a place in the creative ecosystem. Whether artist, collector, volunteer, donor, student, or first-time visitor, you belong in the mix.
More than a themed fundraiser, Retro Remix is a celebration of creativity, connection, and philanthropy. It honors the collaborative spirit that has sustained Art Center Sarasota for over a century while raising unrestricted support for exhibitions, education, and community engagement.
Saturday, January 9, 2027 from 6-9 pm
Monochrome Dinner Experience
Set within the gallery of the Monochrome exhibition, this intimate chef’s table experience brings contemporary art and exceptional cuisine into conversation. Guests will enjoy a multi-course menu in which each course is composed around a single color, interpreting the exhibition through flavor, texture, and presentation.
Michelin-trained Chef Josh Keepfer, Founder of Kitchen Farmacy and Cheeky Duck Vineyard, draws on experience in acclaimed kitchens across Venice, London, Charleston, and Palma de Mallorca to create an evening where each course becomes an extension of the art on view.
Surrounded by exceptional contemporary artwork, guests will enjoy an evening of inspired cuisine, conversation, and creativity, demonstrating how art can be experienced not only on the walls, but at the table.
Saturday, January 30, 2027 from 6-8 pm