Spring is a rebirth, even in temperate Florida. Though Sarasota's March isn't likely to come in like a lion, signs of growth and regeneration abound. If the Fine Arts Society of Sarasota's Creators & Collectors Tour is any indication, our sunny coast can look forward to a season of renaissance.
A high holiday on Sarasota's arts calendar, this perennial event falls in March each year. Several artists participate, opening their homes and studios to aficionados and casual admirers alike. During the self-guided tour, artwork is available for viewing and purchase.
The creative process is on dazzling display in work that is as broad in appeal as it is in medium, including painting, watercolors and pottery. But the real joy here is in viewing the pieces where they were planted and discussing their unfolding with the artist. The creators are discoveries unto themselves, giving insight into their process and inspiration and often surrounded by works in various stages of completion.
Because the tour is self-guided, the visits are relaxed and intimate. And it's a fruitful cycle: The artists donate 25 percent of their sales during the tour to the Fine Arts Society. In 2007, the society awarded $42,500 in scholarships to 16 students. A unique varietal, the tour is anything but garden variety, connecting creators, collectors and the larger community.
If you go:
For more information about the tour, call 941-330-0680 or visit www.fineartssarasota.com.
Tickets to the two-day tour, which cost $25, can be purchased at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Art Center Sarasota, Davidson Drugs or from any Fine Arts Society member or at the artists' homes during the tour.
