“COMMON GROUND”
Art Center Sarasota Announces 2016-2017 Season
“Common Ground” runs October 2016 through September 2017, with a focus on works by regional artists.
(Sarasota, FL) Art Center Sarasota’s 2016-2017 exhibition season, entitled “Common Ground,” showcases the works of professional and emerging artists living and working in Florida. According to Lisa Berger, the center’s director, “The season will bring recognition to the talented, professional artists of today who are making Sarasota famous as a cultural destination,” she says. “We want to revitalize the cultural community by bringing back the excitement the local visual artists created when they were drawn to Sarasota in the early and mid-20th centuries. The buzz will prove that Sarasota is a destination for people seriously interested in contemporary visual arts.”
According to Berger, the scheduled exhibitions inspired a powerful season sub-theme. “Without purposely planning it, we realized that we had selected quite a few female artists for solo shows this season. There are many unique female artists who don’t always get the recognition they deserve. This year we will celebrate their talents.”
As Berger puts it, “Art Center Sarasota exists to provide Sarasota with opportunities for creative expression and art appreciation through art education, exhibitions and cultural programs. The organization has, for 90 years, been committed to offering regional artists a venue for their work. An amazing history of diverse, artistic talent has resulted from this commitment. Visitors will see some very interesting exhibitions created specifically for Art Center Sarasota and the space in which they occupy. The 2016/2017 season will be edgy, controversial, whimsical and a treat to experience.”
Berger adds that the center hires approximately 30 local, national and international artist/instructors to teach art classes and workshops throughout the year.
“These programs help to develop the skills of all artists by offering a diverse selection of mediums to explore.” she says. The center offers dozens of educational programs, lectures, art classes and workshops yearlong. These educational programs are designed for all artistic levels, from the advanced to the beginner. The center also hosts classes and workshops led by distinguished artists from around the country and the area. “We turn creative potential into reality,” says Berger. “If you have artistic talent, we can help you take it to the next level.”
The season, which runs October 13, 2016, through September 29, 2017, comprises seven exhibition cycles, most encompassing up to four exhibits. Berger explains that Galleries One and Two are reserved for exhibits by premier solo artists, art groups and themed curated shows. Gallery Three hosts special projects and community group shows. Shows in these galleries are selected based on cultural and artistic merit and broadest audience appeal. Gallery 4 exhibits work in a juried competition with awards juried by selected independent professionals in the visual arts.
2016-2017 Season: A Quick Glance
Cycle 1 (October 13-November 26, 2016) features an exhibit by Ringling College instructors; politically inspired fabric art by Patricia Anderson Turner; the “Pan-O-Rama Community Project” and “Swing State,” an open, politically themed, juried exhibit.
Cycle 2 (December 8, 2016-January 13, 2017) features the annual ACS instructors show; a textile installation by Adriana Carvalho; “Cracker Politics” by Michael Adno; and “Reflections,” an open, juried exhibit.
Cycle 3 (January 26-March 3, 2017) features a solo exhibit of work by Dasha Reich; a solo exhibit of work by Robert Burridge; ASALH Black Muse 2017; and “Classic Fantastic,” an open, juried exhibit.
Cycle 4 (March 16-April 21, 2017) features “Orbs,” a solo exhibit by Carol Prusa; a solo exhibit of work by Peppi Elona; the “SPECTRUM II” installation; and “From Within,” an open, juried exhibit.
Cycle 5 (May 18-June 23, 2017) features an exhibit of works by Amy Ernst and Amy Ragus; a 3D invitational ceramic and sculpture exhibit; “MASHterpieces IV”; and “Unlimited Potential,” a juried, members only show.
Cycle 6 (July 6-August 11, 2017) features “Florida’s Finest,” an all-media, all-subject juried exhibition highlighting the talented artists of the Sunshine State, in all galleries.
Cycle 7 (August 24-September 29, 2017) features a solo exhibit entitled “World Without Men” by Lowell Gilbertson; an exhibit of works by the Sumi-e Society of Sarasota; and “Line, Form and Color,” an open, peer-juried exhibit.
Art Center Sarasota will present iconcept jr. the first annual runway show of unconventional fashions made by youth ages 8-18 on September 25, noon-2 p.m., at Art Center Sarasota. Tickets are $25 for youth under 18; $50 for adults over 18. There are also VIP tickets for $75.
Art Center Sarasota’s 90th Anniversary Celebration is Sunday, October 16, 2016, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Michael’s On East in Sarasota. The cost is $90 per person.
The 9th annual iconcept unconventional couture fashion event will be on February 19, 6 p.m., at The Mall at UTC, Saks Fifth Avenue. Tickets are $75-$175.
For more information about tickets or sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected] or [email protected] or call 941-365-2032.
For more information about Art Center Sarasota, call 941-365-2032 or visit www.artsarasota.org.
About Art Center Sarasota
Art Center Sarasota was the first arts and cultural institution in Sarasota. It was founded in 1926 as the “Sarasota Art Association” by Marcia Rader, the art supervisor for the Sarasota County schools district. In the early years, the group met monthly and sponsored exhibits in rented facilities. The Association was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1943 and has been in its current location in the Sarasota Bayfront Cultural District since 1949. Art Center Sarasota is now a membership-based organization that offers curated and juried exhibitions, adult and youth education programs, outreach initiatives for underserved youth, and culturally related public programming. Art Center Sarasota’s mission is to inspire individual creative expression, nurture artistic talent and provide the community with accessible and diverse visual art opportunities.
Art Center Sarasota
707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941-365-2032 § Fax: 941-366-0585
www.artsarasota.org
Gallery Hours:
Free admission
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Closed Sunday
