The United States has always had a lively art community that uses its freedom of speech to extend the boundaries of understanding of its history, its regional evolution and its diverse population. Florida has always been one of the places artists have gone to savor the beauties of nature and depict the stories and interactions of its human inhabitants. Many factors contribute to Florida’s popularity of as a place where art can find a voice, but none are more important than the state’s broad range of ethnicities and backgrounds that make it an exciting place to form a unique artistic vision of the world. Here are five cities in Florida where art is part of everyday life:
With its international flavor and exciting urban pace, Miami has been known as a city that has fostered art of all kinds for decades. However, over recent years, the city has come into its own as a place where innovative forms and distinctive viewpoints can receive an enthusiastic reception. Miami is a crossroads between America and the nations of Central and South America, and you will find a wide variety of artistic forms, styles and voices in its artwork. The city’s beaches, museums, architectural sites and attractions make it a popular vacation spot, as well as the home for millions of residents.
Art Basel in Miami Beach is the largest art event in the area and is held each December at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Artists from around the country and around the world apply to show work that includes paintings, sculpture, photography, film, installations and performance art.
The “Conch Republic” of Key West has always had an independent attitude that favored the mindset of artists, writers and other creative individuals who were inspired by the natural beauty and individualism found there. Residents of the city, as well as visitors that come from all around the country and the world, can enjoy the work of the many artists that flock to the area.
A number of galleries on Duval Street provide a wide range of artwork to residents and visitors to the area. You can also enjoy demonstrations in the open air at Mallory Square, along the water, where artists, craftsmen and performers display their work each evening.
Since Henry Plant extended his railroad to the Tampa area and built a luxury resort for the rich in the 1890s, the city has grown significantly over the decades, becoming a center for manufacturing, agriculture, commerce and tourism. Henry Plant decorated his resort with art from around the world, and this appreciation for artistic works continues in Tampa till today.
Where Can I Find Art in Tampa?
The Tampa Museum of Art exhibits both classical and contemporary art in a range of media. The Phoenix Studio and Gallery provides unique glass art and classes. The Stratz Center for the Performing Arts offers a variety of programming throughout the year.
Sarasota is a city on the Gulf Coast of Florida that offers a welcoming atmosphere for arts of all kinds, with a slower, smaller town feel. Artists are more likely to know each other here, as well as their patrons and the art promoters in this community. Sarasota is a city of beautiful beaches, museums, botanical gardens and artisanal shops that appeal to both part-time and full-time residents, as well as the vacationers who travel south from the Tampa-St. Pete area.
Art Center Sarasota offers a number of exhibitions throughout the year, as well as art classes for both adults and youth. The Sarasota Arts Council promotes art and its appreciation throughout the community, with school programs, grants and art classes for people of all ages. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Center offers concerts that span genres from jazz to classical, along with Broadway Plays.
Palm Beach, Florida has been a city of art, architecture and affluence since its founding as a resort destination by Henry Flagler in the early 1900s. A number of moneyed families utilized his railway to bring them to Palm Beach for the winter, and the city quickly became the premier playground in Florida for the rich. Today, many notable names in finance, sports, entertainment and real estate make their homes in Palm Beach.
As could be expected in a city where affluence is the norm, art in all its forms is supported and appreciated.
For the past 19 years, ArtPalmBeach has provided a venue for painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramic artists and mixed-media artists to showcase their work to residents of Florida’s Gold Coast and the area’s many visitors.
These cities have provided an atmosphere of leisure and community that makes the production and appreciation of art a natural part of the overall culture. Learn more about these communities at the Movoto website.
