9 minute read
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
ARTSEntertainment &
With a world-class community theater and an innovative symphony orchestra, it’s not surprising Venice is a favorite haunt of those who appreciate arts and culture. This John Nolen planned city with its rich history has much to teach. Art abounds, from galleries and murals to the Venice Art Center. Ask any artist and they will tell you, the light in Venice is phenomenal. From multi-colored sunsets to the brilliant deep blue of the sky to the greens of the gulf to the quaint Northern Italian Renaissance buildings, there are so many wonderous visions to apply on canvas.
HISTORIC SPANISH POINT 337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229 941-966-5214 www.selby.org/hsp/visit-historic-spanish-point Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, Noon – 5 p.m.
Historic Spanish Point is a captivating 30-acre museum overlooking tranquil Little Sarasota Bay in Osprey, 7 miles north of Venice. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the site preserves and interprets 5,000 years of history. It is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums. Visitors go inside a prehistoric shell mound to experience an archaeology exhibit about this region’s earliest inhabitants. Florida’s pioneer life is shared through a homestead house built in 1901, a citrus packing house, a charming chapel, and a pioneer cemetery.
Historic Spanish Point also features formal gardens and lawns created in the early 1900s by Bertha Honoré Palmer, widow of wealthy Chicago hotelier, Potter Palmer, as part of her winter estate. The Magic, a reproduction of a 1906 motor launch, is part of its active maritime heritage program. Nature Trails allow visitors to learn about Florida’s native plants. A dazzling butterfly garden boasts blooms all year. Bring a picnic lunch and dine under the graceful branches of a 100-year-old southern magnolia.
The Visitors Center in the restored Osprey School features a museum store and orientation theatre, meeting rooms and a large exhibit gallery. Guided tours are offered daily, and general admission is charged. Visit the website or call for current tour times and rates.
SEE ART. FEEL ART. CREATE ART. AT THE VENICE ART CENTER
The Venice Art Center (VAC) is a premier Art Center in the heart of Venice. VAC has been enhancing the lives of the year round, seasonal residents and tourists for over 65 years. Venice Art Center is an art and cultural destination, offering a strong sense of community, featuring venues for the display of art and culture, hosting concerts and events, as well as offering year-round classes, workshops, and demonstrations for adults and children in virtually every visual art medium. There are 11 unique and exciting exhibits annually and the opening receptions are free to the public. The gallery is open MondayFriday from 9am-4pm and Saturdays 9am-2pm. Admission is free. We also offer a full-service café, “Art Caffe”, which has become a popular spot for visitors who want exceptional food in a beautiful and relaxing environment. VAC collaborates with countless organizations to host and support fundraisers, concerts, performances, lectures and many community and private events.
We bring color and creativity to the streets of Venice! The Art center is proud to introduce the “FantaSea Venice” public arts project to Venice featuring 30 magical Seahorses and 22 mesmerizing mermaids to the streets of Venice until April of 2023. Each sculpture is unique and handpainted or embellished by local artists and sponsored by generous individuals and businesses. Please stop into VAC and pick up a map to find all 52! Also join us on the Quest! For more information on FantaSea Venice: FantaSeaVenice.com
Stop into our extensive gift shop and find a one-of-a-kind artisan gift and support local artists! We also carry FantaSea merchandise and mini seahorses and mermaids so that you can paint one of your very own.
The Venice Art Center’s focus is to bring art of all forms to the community and make the city of Venice a cultural destination.
VAC is ideally located a few blocks south of West Venice Avenue on Nokomis Avenue on Venice’s Cultural Campus. We are located at 390 Nokomis Ave. South, Venice, FL. For more information: VeniceArtCenter.com or call us at 941-485-7136.
FANTASEA VENICE R
30 sea horses and 22 mermaids decorated by local artists as part of a fundraiser for the Venice Art Center adorn the streets of Venice.
Stop by the Venice Art Center to pick up your map and find all 52 hand crafted works of art!
THE HERMITAGE ARTIST RETREAT 6630 Manasota Key Rd. Englewood, FL 34223 941-475-2098 www.hermitageartistretreat.org
World-class artistic creators of all disciplines from around the world are invited to the Hermitage Artist Retreat, where they can spend 6 weeks to 2 years, living and working. The restored living and studio spaces of five old-Florida buildings offer artists inspiration, as does its natural 15 miles of beach and aquamarine water, with glorious sunsets nightly.
The nonprofit artist retreat nurtures creativity in mid-career writers, painters, poets, playwrights, composers, translators, sculptors, and artists working in digital media. The supportive staff and community help make this refuge a place where artists have uninterrupted time to reflect and move their work forward. During their stay, the artists offer the community free performances and other cultural opportunities. Many of these creations have landed in renowned theaters, concert halls and galleries worldwide. For more information about programs presented at the Hermitage or opportunities for artists, visit the website.
VENICE ART CENTER 390 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice, FL 34285 941-485-7136 www.veniceartcenter.com Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Venice Art Center is an art and cultural destination. There you will find the work of local artists, some of which is for sale. The center hosts concerts and events and coordinates citywide public art projects. More than 430 classes, workshops and demonstrations for young and old are held year round in every art medium. A summer camp encourages local children to develop their talents. Eleven new exhibits each year are free to the public. Shoppers will find original paintings, ceramics and handmade jewelry. After viewing the art exhibit and shopping, a delicious culinary experience can be had in the Art Caffe.
VENICE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY P.O. Box 995, Venice FL 34284 941-412-0151 www.veniceareahistoricalsociety.org
The Venice Area Historical Society was founded in 1991 as the Venice Historic Preservation League, a 401 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to promote public awareness and understanding of the historic heritage of Florida, Sarasota County and the Venice area, within the context of our nation’s history, and to encourage inquiry and research into this history.
Its activities include a lecture series, newsletter, outreach to schools and local organizations, tours of the Historic Venice Train Depot, a historic plaque program, scholarships for graduating high school seniors and research into area history.
Tours of the Venice Historic Train Depot are offered Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. all year; and Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., November – April. For more information or for special tours, call 941-412-0151.
The Freight Room is a private event space that can be rented from Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Department for gatherings of up to 75 people. For information, call 941-861-1380.
The 45,000-square-foot Venice Community Center is home to a 10,000-squarefoot ballroom, seating up to 1,200 guests. The large stage has professional theatrical lighting and a state-of-the-art sound booth. Other rooms are available for smaller meetings, classes and parties. Its commercial grade kitchen is a favorite of local caterers. Among the many events throughout the year are concerts, dances, lectures, health and business expos, exercise classes, and craft, antique, quilt and orchid shows.
VENICE MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES 351 S. Nassau St., Venice, FL 34285 941-486-2487 www.venicemuseum.org Monday – Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This collection of historical, ancient and prehistorical material relating to the Venice area is housed in the 1927 Triangle Inn, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here you will see a variety of permanent and temporary displays regarding the Native American tribes that first inhabited the area, early settlers, first land developers, planners, and military men who created the city. Learn about the Triangle Inn, prehistoric fossils, and the story of Dr. Fred H. Albee, an early orthopedic surgeon who pioneered bone grafting. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. Times are subject to change so call ahead to verify.
JULIA COUSINS LANING AND DALE LANING ARCHIVES AND RESEARCH CENTER 224 W. Milan Ave., Venice, FL 34285 941-716-7255 www.venicemuseum.org
This facility, associated with Venice Museum, is devoted to the organization, preservation and storage of the historic collection of the City of Venice. The collection includes records, books, photographs, objects, architectural drawings, maps, newspapers and other items. These items are available by request for viewing in the reading room. The room may be used by appointment only. A portion of the collection is available online at venicemuseum.org/collections
VENICE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 1 Indian Ave., Venice, FL 34285 941-218-3779 www.veniceperformingartscenter.com
VPAC offers quality entertainment each season on its 2,000-squre-foot stage with automated orchestra pit. Both local and touring productions perform to an audience of up to 1,090 people. Located on the Venice High School campus, it is supported by the Venice Institute for Performing arts, a nonprofit organization. Volunteer opportunities, from ticketing to ushering, are available.
VENICE THEATRE 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice, FL 34285 941-488-1115 www.venicetheatre.org
The internationally acclaimed community theater is the third largest of its kind in the country. Musicals, comedies, classic and contemporary drama, family productions and nationally recognized concert and comedy acts take place on one of two stages, in the 432-seat Jervey Theatre and in the 90-seat Pinkerton Theatre. An outreach program brings performances to schools and community groups. Classes and camps are available for students of all ages. Check the website for shows, dates and tickets.
THE VENICE SYMPHONY 1515 Tamiami Trail, Suite 7 Southbridge Park, Venice, FL 34285 941-207-8822 www.thevenicesymphony.org
This professional orchestra of more than 75 classically trained musicians is led by Music Director/Conductor Troy Quinn. The orchestra performs November through May at the Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., and holds an annual Memorial Day Weekend Concert at CoolToday Park. The symphony offers music education programs in schools and a summer music camp. Chamber ensembles perform year round throughout the community. It has a dedicated Chair Society and an active volunteer group. Tickets, event information, virtual concerts, music education videos and more are available on its website.
