Anna Maria Island

Art, Cultural Events Start Anna Maria Island High Season

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Doors, entrances, portals and passages are the theme of the Anna Maria Island Art League’s first show of the 2009-2010 cultural season. It opens on November 13, as part of the island-wide ArtsHOP, a weekend full of art, theater and music. Hosted by the Anna Maria Island Art League, Island Gallery West, The Artists’ Guild Gallery, and The Studio at Gulf and Pine, ArtsHOP includes a Friday evening gallery walk through all these fine galleries, and more.

An ArtsHOP Passport listing all the participating galleries can be picked up at any of the participating locations. Those who get their Passports stamped at six of the locations will be offered a 20 percent discount on dinner, afterward, at any of three of the Island’s favorite waterfront restaurants: The Sand Bar, The Beach House, and Mar Vista, on Longboat Key. A stamped Passport turned into the Art Leagues of Anna Maria Island before 8:45 Friday night will also serve as a raffle ticket for a huge basket of art-related gifts from Keeton’s Office and Art Supply of Bradenton.

Also on Friday and Saturday night will be performances by the Island Players of “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe,” a show originally performed by Lily Tomlin. On Saturday and Sunday during the day there will be an arts and crafts fair at the Holmes Beach City Hall Field. A Sock Hop on Saturday night will be held at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Jail and Museum Complex. It is appropriately called “The Jailhouse Rock Sock Hop.” Suggested attire is poodle skirts and greaser outfits. Music of a very different kind will be featured on Sunday afternoon at 2 in the season’s first performance of the Anna Maria Island Orchestra and Chorus at the Cross Point Church.

A special part of this year’s ArtsHOP is an art happening in which local artists painted doors that were displayed all around the island in the weeks leading up to ArtsHOP. On Sunday afternoon, November 15, the doors will be auctioned under the banyan tree at the Anna Maria Island Art League, with proceeds going to the Cultural Connections. The mission of this organization, founded in 2008, is to promote Anna Maria Island as a cultural destination.

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Tags: Anna Maria Island Art League, Anna Maria Island Historical Society Jail and Museum, Anna Maria Island Orchestra and Chorus, Art League, Arts, ArtsHOP, Cultural Connections, Island Gallery West, The Artists’ Guild Gallery, The Studio at Gulf and Pine

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Art and Culture In An Island Paradise

Friday, November 21st, 2008

There is something about a gallery walk that brings out the best in people. A sense of relaxed camaraderie prevails. And when it takes place on a beautiful island, at a time of year when many part-time residents are returning for winter, very pleased they are escaping the winter snows, the atmosphere is all the more festive.

Such an event took place on Anna Maria Island on November 14, when various arts and cultural organizations banded together for the ArtsHOP Gallery Walk. The balmy air that evening made walking, driving or riding the trolley from one venue to the next an absolute pleasure. Paradise was found that night. The arts were celebrated.

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Tags: Art League, Arts, ArtsHOP, Galleries, Wildlife Rehabilitation

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‘Landscapes of the Island’ Exhibition

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

Anna Maria Island Art League held its ” Landscapes of the Island” exhibition award ceremony Friday. On display were the prize winners and the works of artists selected by the jury for adjudication.
Joyce Karp, the Art League’s executive director, presented the awards for best of show, top 3 places, and honorable mention.

A buffet of seafood pate, fresh fruit, and pasta salad was donated by the Sandbar Restaurant.

The exhibition runs from April 11th through May 1st, 9:30 – 2:30 Tuesday to Friday at the Art League gallery, 5312 Holmes Boulevard, Holmes Beach. Admission is free and most pieces are for sale.

Tags: Art League, Arts, Galleries

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Springfest Festival

Thursday, March 6th, 2008

Anna Maria Island Art League presents the 20th Springfest Festival of Fine Arts and Fine Crafts on March 8 – 9, at the Holmes Beach City Hall field, 5800 Marina Drive.

The festival is open from 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday, with many artists’ works on display and for sale. Paintings, glass, jewelry, pottery, sculpture, textiles, woodwork, and photography will be exhibited.

Also featured will be “Young at Art”, an exhibit for children’s art. A raffle will be held for over 50 items of donated works from participating artists. Live Cajun and Bluegrass music will be performed and festival food available.

Springfest fund raising goes towards the Anna Maria Island Art League classes and workshops, and helps support the gallery at 5312 Holmes Boulevard, Holmes Beach.

Tags: Art League, Arts, Galleries, Markets

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