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THE ARTS ADVOCATES GALLERY

The Arts Advocates Gallery displays works from our unparalleled collection of Sarasota Art Colony paintings and sculptures and Florida Highwaymen artworks. The gallery is open every Saturday from 2:00-4:00 pm.

Our gallery was named Best New Gallery in Sarasota Magazine’s The Best of Sarasota 2022 Editor’s Picks!

“Arts Advocates has long been a collector and exhibitor of works by Sarasota artists, including our well-known Sarasota Colony luminaries. But when it opened its own space in the Crossings at Siesta Mall, it found a more permanent home and a spot where docent-guided tours could enlighten visitors.” Read the whole article here.

The gallery is also available for other organizations to host events. To arrange group and special tours, contact docent team leader Stephenie Frasher at docent@artsadvocates.org. For group events, contact Donna Maytham, gallery director, at pavlova03@comcast.net.

ON EXHIBIT

Currently on exhibit at the Arts Advocates Gallery are more than 20 pieces from our collection of renowned works by the Sarasota Colony of Artists who, in the 1920s, began migrating to Sarasota inspired by its natural beauty. They were also drawn by the arrival of noted art collector John Ringling, whose colorful and dynamic circus acts inspired many paintings and sculptures.

Also on view are six paintings by the Florida Highwaymen. The Highwaymen were a group of 26 black artists, including one woman, who were mostly self-taught and painted in Florida from the 1950s on for several decades. Because they were not invited to show their work in galleries, they sold their work from their cars along US 1 and A1A.

Over the years, our works of art have been on display at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and continue to be shown there as well.

Group and special tours of our gallery can be arranged through Stephenie Frasher, docent team leader, at docent@artsadvocates.org or by calling 443-454-2206.

LOCATION

Arts Advocates Gallery
The Crossings at Siesta Key mall 
Suite 119, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
Enter the mall through the doors next to Connors Steak & Seafood and turn left.

Member Artist Exhibits

2024-2025 Scholarship Winners
2:00-4:00 p.m. on Saturdays, July 6-August 31
Art, winner bios and photos, and a video of winner performances are on display in our gallery in July and August.

Back row, from left: John Quigley, Maria Medina Almaguer, Hong Nguyen,Samantha Tanelli, Miracle Deveaux. Front row, from left: Emmalee Bunnell, Noelle Prouty, Danae Tran, Lillian Fox. Not pictured: Colin Leonard.

Member Artist JC Wayne: "Wondrous World: Illuminating Sacred Spaces of Memory with Art & Words in Dialogue"
2:00-4:00 p.m. on Saturdays, September 7-28
Sustainable existential artist. Word world-builder. Cartographer of the unseen. Revealing the beauty of our seen and unseen worlds to illuminate life’s magic, mystery and meaning.

Member Artist Robert C. Manteiga/Photos by Beto: "From Street Photography to Street Art: A Photographic Journey"
2:00-4:00 p.m. on Saturdays, November 2-30
In the 1970s and '80s, Robert worked as a freelance photographer for clients including Paramount Picture Cards in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Since coming to Sarasota in 2013, he has worked independently as a photographer and videographer. 

Art Gallery Events

HOLD YOUR EVENT IN OUR GALLERY

The Arts Advocates Gallery is available to other organizations hosting special meetings, concerts and events. For more information, please contact Donna Maytham, co-gallery director, at 941-351-5361.