It will come as no surprise to most people that Sarasota Florida, recently named the "#1 Small City in the Nation for the Arts", is the center of Arts and Culture of Florida. The arts scene in Sarasota rivals the arts environments of much bigger cities in other parts of the country.
The genesis of involvement in the arts in Sarasota began with John and Mable Ringling who built their magnificent 56-room Venetian Gothic mansion, Cà d’Zan. Having amassed a significant collection of art and art objects, the Ringlings built the 21-gallery Ringling Museum of Art to house their collection in 1931. John Ringling bequeathed his collection and the Cà d’Zan mansion to the people of Florida at his death in 1936. After a tumultuous decade, the Cà d’Zan mansion and the Ringling Museum were taken over by the State of Florida in 1946, rehabilitated and eventually opened to the public.
Performing arts of all kinds thrive in Sarasota. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall presents travelling shows ranging from musical acts to Broadway revivals. The Asolo Repertoire Theater, which opened in 1960 as a summer acting studio is now a full repertoire theater where more than 100,000 people attend its diverse repertoire of theater experiences. The Sarasota Orchestra, the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida, has been entertaining music lovers for over 60 years. The Sarasota Ballet has featured several world-premieres under the direction of internationally-recognized Ian Webb and a half-dozen smaller theater companies perform comedies, dramas and the like on a variety of stages. Live music from contemporary to jazz emanates from Downtown Sarasota pubs and clubs virtually every night.
The Ringling College of Art & Design hosts a thriving community of visual artists who display their craft at many school-sponsored exhibits. S/aRt/Q is a non-profit group of Sarasota artists who engage the community with unique visual and print art experiences in numerous galleries around Sarasota.
Sarasota's rich artistic atmosphere has spawned a host of festivals. Film arts are highlighted at the Sarasota Film Festival in April and the Sarasota Film Society Cine-World Festival in November. The Sarasota Music Festival brings together the best young musicians from around the globe for three weeks each June. Ringling Museum, in conjunction with the New York-based Baryshnikov Arts Center presents the Ringling International Arts Festival which brings together performers from around the world for a celebration of art in all forms. The Sarasota Blues Fest in September and funky arts and crafts highlighted at the annual Atomic Holiday Bazaar in December are two more popular events while the St Armands Arts Festival in Janaury and the Siesta Fiesta in April bring top-notch arts and crafts talents to Sarasota.
In next-door Bradenton, the Village of the Arts is a vibrant community of artists living and working together in Florida’s largest art community. Over 30 galleries, studios, cafes, and jewelry, fashion and book stores fill a charming neighborhood of restored 1920's and 30's cottages.
Whether the arts and cultural aspects of your life have been mainstream or a passing fancy you've just never quite had the time to pursue, Sarasota has something to awaken your interest and provide the atmosphere in which your artistic side can blossom and expand. If a lifestyle steeped in the arts is something you would enjoy, there no better warm and sunny place to live than Sarasota Florida.
Contact Me at your convenience for more information, or for a more immediate response, call me at 941-266-1799.
We come to Florid every year and never miss a chance to take in a play or musical event while in Sarasota
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