ANNA MARIA – The season of art shows on Anna Maria Island continues with the upcoming Feed the Island Art and Craft Show on Friday, Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
The show will be held along the water in back of Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave. Local and national artists will feature their work, including painters, woodworkers, jewelry makers, potters and more.
Event promoters at Blue Ribbon Events said this show is not just about finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, it’s a chance to help Roser Church stock its shelves for those with food insecurity on the Island. The food pantry at Roser Church is the one place on Anna Maria Island where people experiencing financial hardship can come to receive free groceries. A dedicated corps of volunteers and staff members distribute over 100 bags of groceries each month.
Everyone attending the show can help by bringing canned or nonperishable food items, donating cash at the church booth, or buying raffle tickets for a chance to win items donated by participating artists. Tickets are $1, 6 for $5 or 25 for $20, with all proceeds going to the food pantry.
The show is free with free parking. There will be a Nigerian food truck offering up regional dishes for purchase, and plenty of unique art and crafts in every price range. For more information, visit www.daniellsblueribbonevents.com.
ANNA MARIA – Local artists Barbara Truemper-Green, Judy Vazquez, Karen Beach and LuAnn Widergren enjoyed An Artful Evening at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum on Jan. 24.
In addition to displaying and offering for sale some of their past work, three of the four artists created new works in real-time at the well-attended event.
Inside the museum, Truemper-Green created a new pastel painting that depicted her memory of a tree-lined Anna Maria shoreline near Bean Point. After noting that she participated in a previous Artful Evening event two years ago, she said, “I love this.”
Barbara Truemper-Green created a new pastel painting during the event. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Working next to her, Vazquez created a new mosaic made by attaching pieces of blue, marine life-themed glass to a frame surrounding a small mirror.
“This is the first time I’m using this glass,” she said.
She also displayed a previously completed mosaic and some smaller inspiration stones.
Judy Vazquez worked on a new mosaic during the museum event. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Participating in her first museum show, Vazquez said, “We have a wonderful group of people here. It’s a nice turnout.”
As she made her rounds, the museum’s Executive Director Caryn Hodge said, “We’re happy all these people came out to see us bringing art and history together at the museum. We are showcasing four amazing local artists who all have different styles and different mediums.
We love supporting our local artists who capture pieces of Anna Maria history and this brings more people to the museum.”
Karen Beach displayed a COVID-era-inspired watercolor painting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Inside the museum, Karen Beach displayed several of her locally-themed watercolor paintings. One painting illustrated the pass at DeSoto National Memorial as viewed from the path she and her husband walked constantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her other works included paintings of a cottage on Gulf Drive, a school of jumping mullet and an outdoor setting in Alaska.
“I like this event very much and I was in it two years ago. It brings people into the museum and you can see people appreciating the museum while we show our work,” Beach said.
LuAnn Widergren created a new oil painting of a local palm tree. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
While working outside on the museum’s front porch, Widergren created a new oil painting of one of the Island’s palm trees – working in a manner and a medium similar to the late TV personality, Bob Ross.
“It’s a very happy palm tree,” she joked when that comparison was made.
One of her previous paintings depicted a grounded, abandoned boat in Cortez that she created during the two days spent outside at the boat’s location. Another painting depicted a beach scene in Holmes Beach.
“I haven’t done this event before, but I’m at the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island with a couple other artists here and they invited me. I couldn’t pass that up,” Widergren said, noting she tries to make a living from the sale of her art.
Attendees also enjoyed free charcuterie provided by Anna Maria Olive Oil Outpost and free wine provided by Time Saver Wine and Spirits.
HOLMES BEACH – Whether it’s sweet treats on Halloween or a huge Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family, autumn is a time for feasting, so it makes perfect sense that the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s (AGAMI) feature display for October would showcase some mouth-watering art that is not only pleasing to the eye, but may invoke hunger pangs as well.
The display, “Yummy for the Tummy,” features works of art in oil, acrylic, watercolor and other media that leave the observer hungry for more.
“Yummy for the Tummy” is on display in the front window of the gallery through Tuesday, Oct. 31 and all works of art are available for sale.
‘Chocolate Covered’ by Anne Abgott is one of many works of art in the ‘Yummy for the Tummy’ featured display at the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island in Holmes Beach. – Submitted
In addition to works of art from over 100 member artists, AGAMI also offers classes for beginners and professionals alike. It is not necessary to be an AGAMI member to attend classes.
The next class being offered is a drawing workshop using graphite pencils with Marge Kelly on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. The only supplies needed are pencils, paper, erasers and a desire to enhance drawing skills. Attendees will explore basic techniques for rendering a subject realistically. Time will be split between instructor demonstration and participating in a practicum with sample materials provided by the instructor. The cost is $30. Register at amiartistsguildgallery.com and click on “classes.”
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was formed in 1989 to promote and support creative processes by bringing together all artists to share experiences, and expertise and work together to develop and promote the artistic community. The AGAMI Gallery is located at 5414 Marina Drive.
HOLMES BEACH – Monthly Art Walks always draw a crowd to Island Gallery West (IGW) and the Artists’ Guild Gallery of Anna Maria Island, as well as many surrounding businesses that participate in the event. The March 10 Art Walk was bittersweet for IGW, as it was the final day the gallery would be open before closing its doors after 33 years to move to downtown Bradenton.
It was the largest crowd to attend an Art Walk at IGW this season, as most of the 33 member artists gathered to say farewell to both locals and visitors who have visited the member-run co-op art gallery, some for decades. While IGW has issued no official statement on the exact reason for the move, conversations over the past few months have alluded to a rent increase and reduced visitation to the gallery due to ongoing road construction in the direct vicinity of IGW being reasons the move was necessary.
The farewell evening was not a sad event; it was very much the opposite, with most of the artists (none of whom resigned from the gallery because of the move) being excited about the future and more grateful for the past 33 years than sad.
“I’ll miss this place very much, but I’m excited to get in the new space,” member artist Charlotte Sorsen said. “We are going to have a lot more space and will be able to hold classes, demonstrations and a lot of things we just didn’t have the space for here at this location. In the end, it’s going to be a very good thing for all of us.”
IGW officials initially kept the new location a secret, but now say the new gallery will be located at 456 Old Main St. in Bradenton.
“We’re going to have so much room at this new location,” member artist Judy Goldman said. “We’ll have room for classes, a design studio, an open studio for artists that are learning to paint and even a painting with the pros studio. It will be a lot of things that will give back to the community. It’s kind of sad because we have so much of our heart invested here, but we’re growing; that’s just how progress goes.”
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island is now the only remaining member-run artist co-op gallery on the Island and many members there said they are sad to see IGW leave, believing the two galleries helped each other by providing access to the arts for both locals and visitors alike.
“I’m sad they’re leaving, it’s nice to have more than one gallery because people come and shop then they walk around, so things will change a little bit,” Artists’ Guild member and former president Sharon Tarras said. “We have a meeting in the next few days and we’ll have to talk about restructuring the Art Walk now that we have lost IGW. Maybe make it more of a Holmes Beach shopping event. It’s not just the galleries involved, there are businesses here that participate, and I’m sure they want it to continue.”
The Artists’ Guild confirmed there are no plans to leave the Island and the gallery will remain at its current location in Holmes Beach.
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island is recognizing National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by spotlighting the work of member artists who have fought cancer.
All the artworks in the October display are available for purchase, and a portion of the proceeds of the sales will be donated to a local cancer patient support organization, according to the Guild.
The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 5414 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 1989 to promote and support creative processes by bringing together artists to share experiences, expertise and work together to develop and promote the artistic community.
HOLMES BEACH – There’s a new displaying artist at the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island and she’s all about color.
Mixed-media artist Wendy Butcher grew up in upstate New York before spending seven years in Scottsdale, Arizona and finally settling in Sarasota. A self-professed lover of art since age 9, she said she enjoys exploring different creative directions and mediums.
“I use a lot of different mediums – watercolor, acrylic, pastels – and I love photography,” Butcher said. “Nature is always what I draw pictures of and I also love doing portraits. I’m definitely not afraid to try different things.”
She says in addition to wanting to move to the Gulf coast for the sunshine and beauty of the area, she was looking for a place that has a significant presence in the art community.
“It seemed like there wasn’t a strong local art community in Phoenix; it was very narrow compared to here,” Butcher said. “It seems like everybody comes together here. This is why I’m excited about working with the gallery. I want to help promote the artists and elevate them more. I just want to do what I can to help the art community on Anna Maria Island.”
In addition to her work as an artist, Butcher does graphic design and is currently revamping the gallery’s website. Her colorful artwork is on display and available for purchase at the Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, and at her online store.
The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit the Guild Gallery online.
HOLMES BEACH – Each month the front window display at Island Gallery West focuses on the work of their featured artist, and July showcases the colorful pastel work of Terri Westbrook.
A painter whose work leans toward impressionism, Westbrook brings nature forth in a way that captures the eye with color.
“I paint from photographs I have either taken myself in my travels or from photographs friends have provided,” Westbrook said. “I started painting pretty late in life, around 2014. I started with oils and loved it, but they began to bother me. I was allergic to oils, so I switched to pastels and have been using them ever since.”
Westbrook switched to pastels five years ago in 2017 and says she likes using an impressionistic loose style with lots of color. Her love of painting landscapes and waterscapes led her to name her company Serene Scapes.
A unique feature of Westbrook’s work is the stories she writes about each piece of art. She says many people find the stories as interesting as the art. Visit her personal website to see her art with the accompanying stories.
The work of Terri Westbrook is on display at Island Gallery West in Holmes Beach. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
Westbrook will be in the gallery on Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to chat and answer questions about her work, on display through July 31. All of the artworks are available for purchase at the gallery, located at 5368 Gulf Drive. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Visit the gallery online or call 941-778-6648 for updates about the art and the 30 member artists of the gallery.
HOLMES BEACH – Arts and crafts lovers made their way to City Field over the weekend for the annual Invitational Fine Art and Craft Show, which offered everything from custom furniture to hand-crafted jewelry.
“We’re down here for the month of March from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and just came across this,” said Nora Young. “My husband and I are decorating our sunroom back home with art from the Island. We have picked up some great stuff here already and still have some money left. The prices are really fair and the quality is great.”
Other than some love bugs, which also seem to have a great appreciation of fine arts and crafts, it was the perfect weekend as the sun shone over an entire field of artistic treasures. While many vendors are regulars at shows and events on the Island, some were here for the first time.
“I create custom pet portraits,” said Jeanelle Demers, a Maine resident who is now spending the winter months here in Florida in hopes of growing her business. “They’re acrylic on canvas. My goal is to capture the personality of the pet and make them come to life on the canvas. Animals are very special, and I like to bring them to life with colors and turn them into a work of art.”
Jeanelle Demers with her pet art at the Invitational Fine Art and Craft Show in Holmes Beach. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
This is one of many events that will be held at City Field throughout the year. Keep an eye on The Sun’s weekly events calendar for more to come.
HOLMES BEACH – Island Gallery West recently announced the artist of the month for November, and it’s not difficult to see what inspires Jody Goldman.
A retired flight attendant, Goldman was fortunate to get to travel the world and used her free time to observe the wildlife wherever she found herself.
“The opportunity to travel and see the abundance of wildlife in such diverse nature settings in the countries I visited was the primary influence of my painting,” Goldman said. “It was then that I realized I wanted to concentrate my focus on being a wildlife artist.”
The former Miami resident is now retired and lives on the Gulf coast of Florida, and for good reason. Goldman says she is inspired by the many birds in the area. In addition to Florida birds and wildlife, she also likes to paint the animals she observed on multiple trips to Africa. Her display at the gallery, titled “Walk on the Wild Side,” features African animals alongside local birds and marine life. In addition to painting with oil, she also works with colored pencils.
“I only want to paint wildlife, and that’s all I paint. I’m super realistic, I don’t do any abstract or impressionist,” Goldman said. “I paint animals from all over; buffalo from Wyoming, chickens from my family’s garden in Iowa and anything I observe in my travels.”
Island Gallery West’s November featured artist exhibit, ‘Walk on the Wild Side.’ – Jason Schaffer
Goldman may be retired, but she works on her art five to six hours a day, six days a week and has no plans on slowing down anytime soon. Art is her passion, and it shows in the quality of her work. She also loves to paint and draw dogs; in fact, she is happy to do a commission piece for your dog or dogs. Stop by Island Gallery West for plenty of examples of her work, and if you would like to order a commissioned work of art, you can view examples and place an order. For more information, email artistjodygoldman@gmail.com.
Each month, Island Gallery West chooses one of its 28 member artists to be the featured artist of the month. The artist chosen has a large display of their work in the front of the gallery for the entirety of the month they are featured, in addition to their permanent display in the gallery. All of the artist’s work is available for purchase.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Some artists are inspired by nature, some by the people around them, and some, like Paul Arnold, by the places he liked to hang around growing up on Anna Maria Island.
Although the artist’s work can be found in places like Harry’s Grill, Tide Tables and Minnie’s, Arnold currently resides near Dayton, Ohio. That doesn’t stop the former Bradenton Beach resident from spending his extra time creating some of the most unique artwork anywhere on the Island.
“We moved here in 1982 and I loved it. My dad, Leroy Arnold Sr., was on the city council when I was in high school in 1986, then actually became mayor of Bradenton Beach in the mid-90s, so we have strong ties to the community,” said Arnold.
After high school, Arnold was accepted to the prestigious Ringling College of Art and Design, where he worked with some of the nation’s best up-and-coming artists including famed Disney animator Aaron Blaise, who was a friend and classmate.
“I actually auditioned for Disney and didn’t make it, but my friend Aaron Blaise went on to be involved in just about every big Disney project of the 90s, including The Lion King,” said Arnold. “He was definitely an inspiration.”
Everyone who sees Arnold’s artwork will see something slightly different, but the one constant is the almost psychedelic vibe. At the same time, they make you wish you were there due to the instant familiarity.
Paul Arnold lists the Green Turtle as one of his favorite places from his teenage years in Bradenton Beach. – Submitted
“I call it ‘no rules’ art, because I just want it to be fun and not follow a strict set of rules,” said Arnold. “I’ve been influenced by album cover art from the 1970s as well as Mad Magazine. I always wanted to work for Mad and that probably shows in my art.”
Arnold currently has a calendar featuring Island locations such as Ginny’s & Jane E’s, the Green Turtle, Skinny’s Place, Bridgetender Inn, Rod & Reel Pier and more Island favorites. The calendars are available at Minnie’s Beach Cafe in Holmes Beach, as are postcards which are also available at some Island gift shops. Arnold welcomes commission pieces; contact him at paulbarnold@yahoo.com.
HOLMES BEACH – Island Gallery West has 28 member artists from the Island and surrounding areas who choose one artist to be the featured artist of the month, with their work on a special display in the front of the gallery. The featured artist for November is Jody Clancy Goldman, and her exhibit is titled, “Walk on the Wild Side.”
Goldman’s first experiences as an artist developed when she was living in Miami and traveling around the world as a flight attendant. The opportunity to see the abundance of wildlife in such diverse environments in the many countries she visited was the primary influence of her painting. It was then that she realized her desire was to concentrate on being a wildlife artist. The diversity in nature is her one and only inspiration.
Goldman believes that being an artist is something one is born to do, and not necessarily learned only at school. She went on to study through practical experience, learning through trial and error, and by studying the works of artists she admires such as Robert Bateman and Carl Brenders.
Jody works primarily in oil, colored pencil and watercolor. Her studio is on the Gulf coast of Florida where she can study and paint exotic birds in the area.
If you would like to meet the artist, she’ll be at Island Gallery West on Thursday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. She will be happy to discuss her passion for everything wild!
Island West Gallery is located at 5368 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, Trolley Stop 15, on Anna Maria Island. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Visit www.islandgallerywest.com or call 941-778-6648 for updates. Masks are encouraged. Hand sanitizer is available.
HOLMES BEACH – Island Gallery West’s Featured Artist for the month of October made an appearance at the gallery on Oct. 8. Jim Wheeler has been a photographer since the age of 16, and is a longtime painter of acrylics. These skills combine in “Feathers,” an exhibit of Wheeler’s work featuring photographs that have been digitally and/or manually enhanced with the addition of acrylic over-painting for a unique “painterly” look.
“I use a multi-step process to get the effect I’m looking for. I’m shooting for an impressionist look,” said Wheeler, speaking about how he gets the unique look that presents more as a painting than a photograph after the unique process is complete.
Wheeler chose the “Feathers” theme because of his love for birds of all kinds. Bird pictures have always dominated his body of work and he finds them to be a big part of the beauty of nature. He’s had a Timneh Grey Parrot who has been his companion since 1990 and has spent many hours on long bicycle rides with Wheeler, who has been a bicycle-ride leader, president and general board member with the Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club for the past 15 years.
Scarlet Macaw by Island Gallery West’s October featured artist, Jim Wheeler. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
“I’ve always loved birds, but I didn’t realize that the bulk of my work was of birds until my wife pointed it out,” said Wheeler. “First off, my parrot is my real buddy. He sits on my shoulder and we go for walks and find birds. Living here, there are so many. I’ve been all over the world but I found that people in Florida, especially tourists from out of town don’t come here to buy artworks of African animals. They want native wildlife, so I tend to stick to that.”
Jim Wheeler has had photographs published nationally on multiple occasions, served as a judge for the Cleveland Photographic Society and worked as the award-winning chief editor for a national business magazine, among other career achievements.
Island West Gallery is located at 5368 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, Trolley Stop 15, on Anna Maria Island. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Visit www.islandgallerywest.com or call 941-778-6648 for updates about the art and 28 member-artists of the gallery. Masks are encouraged. Hand sanitizer is available.
HOLMES BEACH – Island Gallery West features art created by its 30 member artists who work in paint, drawing, mixed media, photographs, sculpture, jewelry and glass mosaics. The gallery recently announced the addition of two new member artists to the co-op.
Terri Westbrook is a painter whose style leans toward impressionism, working primarily in pastel media. She is inspired by the places she has traveled to and lived, including Charleston, S.C., Anna Maria and the Florida Panhandle.
Westbrook discovered her love of creating a little later in life than many artists. She has learned the basics of art and the nuances of pastel art only in recent years from online and in-person instruction.
“My paintings are journal entries, my response to what I see when I’m out in nature, or my emotions about a place I visited many years ago,” she said. “Making art is like meditation for me. I hope people enjoy my pieces that come from my heart.”
Larry Paul is an award-winning artist who creates unique works of art using Prismacolor colored pencil, inks and graphite. From impressionistic old doors and windows, realistic plant drawings, and expressionistic interpretations of sunsets and volcanoes, Paul’s art comes from decades of studying and photographing the natural world’s effects on human-made objects – the beauty of decay, the complexity of the philodendron plant, and getting inspiration from walking the beaches of Florida’s west coast searching for sharks’ teeth.
Island Gallery West artist Larry Paul – Submitted
Much of Paul’s work derives from the outdoors and built environments, though subject matter and inspiration also come from a collection of his original photographs taken since the 1970s, along with photographs taken during self-prescribed photographic exploration tours.
Island Gallery West is a co-op with each member paying a portion of the sale of their art to fund the operating costs. They currently have 32 member artists, all of whom are from the area. The gallery welcomes submissions from any local artist who would like to become a member. After submitting required material and documentation, new members must get a two-thirds majority of current members’ approval to be accepted.
The gallery is located at 5368 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, trolley stop 15. Normal hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, but they will be closed for renovation from Sept. 13-24. For more information on the gallery and its artists, or on becoming a member, visit www.islandgallerywest.com or call 941-778-6648.
HOLMES BEACH – Art imitates life at the Island Gallery West with the “Live Colorfully” exhibit currently on display. Vibrant works of art inspired by the flora, fauna and people of Anna Maria Island and surrounding areas draw the eye to native birds, crashing waves and everything in between.
The artists displaying their paintings, drawings, photographs, mixed media, pottery, jewelry, glass mosaics and more are all Island Gallery West members.
“The works featured in the ‘Live Colorfully’ display were juried in by a member committee,” Gallery member Susan Maas said. “Members were invited to submit a couple of works each for consideration; that was the process for this exhibit.”
The Island Gallery West is a co-op with each member paying a portion of the sale of their art to fund the operating costs. They currently have 30 member artists, all of whom are from the area. The Gallery welcomes submissions from any local artist who would like to become a member. After submitting required material and documentation, new members must get a 2/3rd majority of current members’ approval to be accepted.
“Not all of our members live on the Island, but everyone is from the area. I think we have one artist who lives in Tampa, but that would be the farthest away. We’re certainly local,” Maas said.
The “Live Colorfully” exhibit has been extended through the end of September, so there is plenty of time to view or purchase these works of art. Island Gallery West is located at 5368 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, trolley stop 15. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information on the Gallery and its artists, or becoming a member, visit the website or call 941-778-6648.
On the heels of the Fourth of July’s fireworks, Holmes Beach’s art community proved Friday that they could draw a crowd with an out-of-season Art Walk.
With Hurricane Barry bearing down on Louisiana and warm humid weather on Anna Maria Island, three of the seven regular art outlets opened their doors and soon their stores were bustling with people.
Art Walks are normally held the second Fridays of the month from January through April, but in May the Artist’s Guild of Anna Maria Island announced it would continue the walks through the summer and other participants were invited to join in. Island Gallery West and Restless Natives joined in.
Island Gallery West drew a good crowd as the customers had an opportunity to speak to the gallery’s artist of the month, Patrick O’Neill. – Tom Vaught | Sun
Lyda Dicus of Restless Natives decided to take it a step further, putting tables and chairs out front so people could paint pottery and there were a lot of promising artists participating.
“I think it’s a success because it got a lot of people out participating,” she said. “I think I’m going to do it again at the next Art Walk.”
If the event continues to draw large numbers of interested people the Art Walks might become a year ‘round event.
