Anna Maria Island is the kind of place that attracts artists. Many choose to live here all year. Some take long vacations here or consider the island as their second home. Other visitors may never have held a paint brush, but have the artist’s temperament. They become enchanted by the surroundings and find themselves staring at the details. That is the first step toward making art. Being on this beautiful island may be what it takes for the latent artist to emerge.
There is no end to the number of subjects that can be painted here. The clouds, the wildlife, the sea and the light are changing constantly. Blossoms of different colors come and go throughout the year.
If the urge strikes, the emerging artist and other visiting artists must never let lack of art supplies block their creative process. Fortunately, there is an excellent art store in Bradenton, called Keeton’s Office and Art Supply. Originally more focused on office supplies and furniture, this cheerful establishment has, over the years, catered more and more to artists and the supplies they need. They offer a very good selection of oil paints, acrylics and watercolors, as well as brushes for all these mediums. Painters who want to use acrylics will be pleased that they sell Golden paints and mediums, as well as Liquitex and other brands. In addition to more commonly available lines of watercolor paint, Keeton’s sells Daniel Smith watercolors. Their stretched canvas prices are very reasonable, with large discounts the norm. Watercolor paper sheets and pads, easels, palettes are all available. The newcomer, or artist with very little time and space, might want to simply purchase a few art markers or pencils, to make basic sketches of the island.
The 4th annual ArtsHOP Tour 2010 of art and theater on Anna Maria Island is being held Friday, Saturday and Sunday November 12 –14. The ArtsHOP event features a festival of local artists on a tour of locations presenting artworks and productions.
Similar to the very popular annual Island Tour of Homes, the ArtsHOP Tour comprises exhibits and demonstrations at featured participating art and cultural venues.
By picking up a ‘Passport’, visitors getting 6 or more venue stamps can get 20% off at Sandbar, BeacHhouse, or Mar Vista restaurants, and by turning in the passport at AMI Art League or The Studio by 8:45pm Friday be in a drawing for $150 of art supplies from Keeton’s of Bradenton.
Numbered from the north end these are the locations of events:
The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive
Island Historical Museum, 402 Pine Ave
Island Playhouse, 10009 Gulf Drive
Ginny’s and Jane E’s, 9807 Gulf Drive
Three Island Monkeys, 9801 Gulf Drive
Crosspointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive
Anna Maria Island Butterfly Park, 5801 Marina Drive
Special events are scheduled for the 3-day festival.
Friday: 5 – 9pm Gallery Walk, complimentary refreshments, live music, art demonstrations, prizes. Silent auction at the Studio on Gulf and Pine of “Calling All Artists” turtle-themed art exhibit. Demonstration at Artists Guild Gallery of polymer clay jewelry process. Demonstrations at Anna Maria Island Art League of floor cloth painting and wire sculpture. Vignettes and sketches at Island Playhouse 8pm ($15).
Saturday: book-signing by Carolynne Norwood’s “Anna Maria Island 1940 to 1970” 10am – noon & 2 – 4pm Island Historical Museum. Silent auction at the Studio on Gulf and Pine of “Calling All Artists” turtle-themed art exhibit. Vignettes and sketches at Island Playhouse 8pm.
Sunday: Arts and craft fare 10am – 4pm AMI Butterfly Garden. Concert by Anna Maria Island Concert Orchestra and Chorus 2pm ($20). Drum Circle at Manatee County Public Beach 5:30pm – sunset.
The ArtsHOP 2010 weekend is sponsored by local businesses and organized by Cultural Connections representing Anna Maria Island arts and cultural groups.
The arts are alive and well and Anna Maria Island. In addition to the frequent arts and crafts fairs, there are wonderful exhibits at the Anna Maria Island Art League in Holmes Beach. Island Gallery West and the Artist’s Guild also have galleries in Holmes Beach. In addition to this, a very fine new gallery has been operating in Anna Maria for a couple of years. Formerly the Bistro at Island’s End, the building has been transformed into The Studio at Gulf and Pine. Owned by Rhea Chiles, the former first lady of Florida, this exquisite center for arts and intellectual pursuits presents art exhibits as well as classes in everything ranging from the game of bridge to lectures about science and philosophy.
One exhibit at the Studio that has received tremendous press coverage is “Beach Paths and Other Paintings by Maro Lorimer.” The opening reception was last Sunday afternoon, on January 17. After several days of cold rain, the sun came out and many people came out that afternoon, as well, to enjoy the serene setting of the Studio and the beautiful art it holds.
One wing of the main gallery contained eight original collages, each inspired by a particular beach path on Anna Maria Island. In addition to the originals, limited edition signed giclées were available. The artist’s statement explained that the art was a tribute to the wildness of the beach paths that connect the neighborhoods of the island to the beach. The fact that these paths are not manicured is what makes them so appealing.
If the urge strikes, the emerging artist and other visiting artists must never let lack of art supplies block their creative process. Fortunately, there is an excellent art store in Bradenton, called Keeton’s Office and Art Supply. Originally more focused on office supplies and furniture, this cheerful establishment has, over the years, catered more and more to artists and the supplies they need. They offer a very good selection of oil paints, acrylics and watercolors, as well as brushes for all these mediums. Painters who want to use acrylics will be pleased that they sell Golden paints and mediums, as well as Liquitex and other brands. In addition to more commonly available lines of watercolor paint, Keeton’s sells Daniel Smith watercolors. Their stretched canvas prices are very reasonable, with large discounts the norm. Watercolor paper sheets and pads, easels, palettes are all available. The newcomer, or artist with very little time and space, might want to simply purchase a few art markers or pencils, to make basic sketches of the island.
