MODERN AT THE MUSEUM

If it's been a while since you visited the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, you're in for a surprise. Yes, you'll still see a world-class collection of works by the Old Masters, including the magnificent tapestries by Peter Paul Rubens that fill two galleries. But alongside works by El Greco, Titian and Velasquez you'll now find the remarkable permanent Skyspace installation, Joseph's Coat, by James Turrell, an artist who works in the media of light and space. Visitors to the space sit on gently inclined benches, allowing them to gaze comfortably up at the installation's large "oculus," which admits ever-changing views of light and sky.

Only the second public Skyspace on the east coast, it's the centerpiece of the museum's Art of Our Time initiative, which also includes the New Stages series of cutting-edge theatrical and dance pieces; the Artists of Our Time conversation series that brings you face to face with working artists of international renown who are in residence at Sarasota County's Hermitage Artist Retreat; and the Ringling International Arts Festival, affectionately known to locals at RIAF, which is produced each October under the artistic direction of the Baryshnikov Arts Center.

 

6

Number of public galleries on the Ringling College of Art and Design campus.

 

Visual Arts, Museums and Galleries

Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art, 1288 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. (941) 366-2454. Monthly contemporary exhibits, original paintings, sculptures and mixed media assemblages on view. allyngallup.com

Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. (941) 365-2032. This art center, one of Sarasota's longest-running arts institutions, offers a wide array of exhibits, classes and workshops. artsarasota.org

Art Uptown, 1367 Main St., Sarasota. (941) 955-5409. Cooperative gallery featuring paintings, sculptures, ceramics, basketry and other media. artuptown.com

Cambridge Christner & Fine Art, 415 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. (941) 364-4300. Original art works for sale, including acrylics by Torres Rojas, oils by masters.

Casa Smeralda, 468 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. (941) 388-1305. Boutique jewelry, shoes, and clothing. casasmeralda.com

Clothesline Gallery and Boutique, 529 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. (941) 366-5222. Contemporary art and custom apparel. clotheslinetees.com

Clyde Butcher Gallery and Studio, 237 Warfield Ave., Venice. (941) 486-0811. Black-and-white landscape photography featuring natural Florida environments by acclaimed photographer Butcher. clydebutcher.com

Crissy Galleries, 640 S. Washington Blvd., Suite 150, Sarasota. (941) 957-1110. Specializing in fine art and antiques. crissy.com

Dabbert Gallery, 76 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. (941) 955-1315. Contemporary paintings, sculptures, watercolors, drawings and bronzes. dabbertgallery.com

Elizabeth Rice Fine Art, Home Accessories and Antiques, 1940 Northgate Blvd., Suite B, Sarasota. (941) 954-8575. Contemporary fine art, as well as Biedermeier furniture and other antiques. elizabethrice.com

Elizabeth Stevens Gallery, 1945 Morrill St., Sarasota. (941) 587-9851. Paintings by Marge Bennett and Debbie Dannheisser, plus blown glass, pottery and jewelry are featured at this Towles Court space. elizabethstevensgallery.net

Galleria Silecchia, 20 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. (941) 365-7414. National and international sculptors, painters, glass artists and more; regular shows. galleriasilecchia.com

Hodgell Gallery, 46 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. (941) 366-1146. Contemporary fine art and glass works. hodgellgallery.com

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. (941) 359-5700. The state museum of Florida houses an extensive Baroque collection, modern collection, Asian art and changing exhibitions. ringling.org

Longboat Key Center for the Arts, 6860 Longboat Drive S., Longboat Key. (941) 383-2345. This long-established center, now affiliated with the Ringling College of Art and Design, offers classes, exhibits, sales and special events.

Madeby Gallery, 734 Central Ave., Sarasota. (941) 822-0442. Works by Ringling College of Art and Design students and alumni, available for sale.

Palm Avenue Fine Art, 10 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. (941) 388-7526. Paintings and sculpture from a variety of Gulf Coast artists and others. palmavenuefineart.com

Sarasota Season of Sculpture, (941) 366-7767. Presents an exhibition of large-scale sculptures along Sarasota's downtown bayfront.

s/ART/q, Local contemporary artists with the mission of enhancing local arts culture and engaging the community through exhibitions and educational opportunities. The collective produces regular shows at various locations. sartq.com

Selby Gallery, Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. (941) 359-7563. Presents works by national and regional artists in a variety of media; it also hosts annual faculty exhibitions and the "Best of Ringling" student show. ringling.edu/selbygallery

Stakenborg Fine Art, 1545 Main St., Sarasota. (941) 487-8001. An art resource for collectors of paintings, drawings and prints, including works by such artists as Durer and Picasso. stakenborgfineart.com

State of the Arts Gallery, 1525 State St., Sarasota. (941) 955-2787. This contemporary fine art gallery presents work from local and national artists in regular exhibitions. sarasotafineart.com

Towles Court, just west of U.S. 301 between Adams and Morrill streets. This working artists' colony offers several gallery/studio spaces for viewing and buying; a gallery walk takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. every third Friday of the month. towlescourt.com

Venice Art Center, 390 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice. (941) 485-7136. The area's largest community art center, begun in 1958, offering exhibitions, classes and occasional special events, such as a Paint-Out in Paradise. veniceartcenter.com

Village of the Arts, east of 14th Street West, between Ninth and 17th avenues, Bradenton. Community of artists, studios and galleries. Art walks take place the first weekend of every month, Friday, 6 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

William Hartman Gallery, 48 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. (941) 955-4785. Displays 18th- and 19th-century antique prints; also work by historic Sarasota artists and vintage photographs.

Wyland Galleries of Sarasota, 314 John Ringling Blvd., St. Armands. (941) 388-5331. Marine and wildlife art by Wyland and other environmental artists is featured here, along with Oggetti glass. wylandgalleries.com

In addition to Sarasota's museums, nearby museums include the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, the Salvador Dali Museum, also in St. Petersburg, and the Tampa Museum of Art.