Exhibitions

2021-2022
Welcome to Our 84th Season!

ArtCenter Manatee is Manatee County's premier visual arts center featuring the artwork of many talented local, state and national artists. Exhibitions change monthly in the three galleries and the public is always welcome to the opening receptions, once COVID concerns are resolved, to preview the artwork and meet the artists. Exhibits are free and open to the public excepting one national show - there is a nominal charge to cover shipping and insurance. Our hours are MFS 9-5, TWTh 9-6. Closed Sunday.

Art Opening Receptions
During COVID, our receptions are virtual with only the winning artists in attendance. We'll let you know when we can go live again! We miss you!

Exhibition Schedule and Requirements

Annual Manatee County Schools K-12 Exhibit

Yairiel G-L Grades K-2, Elina O Grades 3-5, Finn D Grades 6-8, Max R Grades 9-12

ArtCenter Manatee Welcomes the Annual Manatee County Schools K-12 Exhibit
April 4-April 21, Opening Reception Wednesday April 5, 5-7pm

ArtCenter Manatee joins with the School District of Manatee County to showcase the work of K-12 visual arts students. In Manatee County, we’re fortunate to have a school system committed to teaching the visual arts in its elementary, middle and high schools. By partnering with ArtCenter Manatee, that commitment is furthered by giving these young artists a ‘voice’ – three museum-quality galleries – where their work can be professionally displayed and where the artists can receive positive recognition by a wider audience.

According to the National Arts in Education Association, learning to paint, create a website or design an energy-efficient home requires mastering skills which are often invisible to the naked eye, but are developed through a strong visual arts education.

For many students, it will be their first experience in preparing their work for display. And certainly, for pricing their work with an eye to selling it. For most students it will also the first time they have ever been to an art gallery. The experience will give students real world experience in the process of preparing artwork for exhibit, and the lessons they learn will stay with them throughout their lives.

Awards donated by Carolann Garofola in memory of Ralph Garafola.

Jurors: Carolann Garafola and Tim Cunninghan

International Watercolor Society Florida USA

International Watercolor Society Florida USA
February 28-March 31, 2023
$5 Admission

Opening Reception March 2, 5:00-7:00

ArtCenter Manatee invites you to attend the second biennial exhibition of the International Watercolor Society Florida USA. This prestigious exhibit features 25 watercolors from artists in 11 countries. From the colorful abstract work of award-winning German Artist Christine Berlinson Esser to the lively painting of Italy’s Maximo Damico who captures the mood and energy of the city in his plein aire painting, this exhibit is a wonderful guided tour of diverse watercolor from around the world.

The International Watercolor Society (IWS) has chapters in over 110 countries, and gathers together one of the largest and most diverse groups of watercolor artists and art lovers alike. IWS provides a unique platform for the continual development of the art of watercolor. In addition to the exchange of ideas between artists, it advocates and supports the next generation of artists with events and exhibitions This is the second biennial exhibition of the Florida USA Chapter which was formed in 2020 by ArtCenter Manatee.

IWS Images: From the IWS and ACM Logos, In the Middle of Prague by Maximo Damico, Italy, Flower Game by Christine Berlinson Esser, Germany, Mouve by Boonkwang Noncharoen, Bangkok, Flag Girl In Waiting by Donna Morrison, USA, Antique House by Dilesh Hazare, India.

About the International Watercolor Society
The International Watercolor Society (IWS) is a non-profit organization which was established in January 2012 with the objective of promoting the world’s oldest and most deeply rooted painting technique; the art of watercolor. IWS was founded by Mr. Atanur Dogan. Their goal is to promote peace by the use of art; the common language of all the people of the world. Their activities involve bringing watercolor artists and art-lovers together.

ArtCenter Manatee has partnered with the International Watercolor Society (IWS) to create a Florida Chapter, one of only five branches in the United States. We are part of their worldwide network of over 100 branches, galleries, and education centers.

Ray Lawler: Tales of a Traveler

Ray Lawler Portrait of a Traveler

Nov 1-Nov 28
Opening Reception Thursday, Nov 3, 5:00-7:00

Artist Statement
I was born in Connecticut during the Second World War. Other than visiting relatives in Long Island I never left the state until I joined the Navy in 1963. That experience turned me into a traveller want-to-be. Fortunately, after getting 2 academic degrees, I satiated my ambition to be. I have lived, worked, or travelled in more than 84 countries around the globe. And, I got paid for most of it.
I currently live in Florida, with two cats and Wonder Woman. I have been, at various times a logistics consultant, photojournalist, sculptor, writer, and currently an award-winning artist.

I am primarily a self-taught. At 3 years old I was the happy recipient of a box of Crayola’s from my grandpa. My first work of art reached about 3 feet high and extended along all 4 walls of my bedroom. My mother was furious and was going to give me a good whooping. Grandpa came in just in time and yelled. “Don’t touch that boy. I guess I should have given him some paper too.” About 3 weeks later I was probably the youngest kid in my neighborhood with his own drafting table. I started painting by numbers at 5 and completed a free hand painting of Saint Thaddeus at 7. Why? Because he had a huge beard that was easy to draw and paint. At 13 I completed a detailed pencil drawing of the “Ben Hur” chariot race after viewing the movie 10 times. (It was ultimately stolen off my mother’s wall some 25 years later by an intruder.) Subsequently, I illustrated both my high-school class year book and my squadron cruise book during the Vietnam War.

Color Outside the Lines

The Plan by Carla Rudolph

An open, all media, juried exhibit
On display October 11-October 28
All Galleries

Pick-up Oct 29

Award Winners

1st Place	The Plan by Carla Rudolph
2nd Place	Reservations by Elaine Anagnos
3rd Place	Lancaster County Barns by Victoria Wortley
Best in 3d	Seahorses by Nancy Dubin
Merit	Crossing the road Will Change Your Life by Jean Cormier
Honorable Mention	Patio Flower Garden by Marjorie Crawford
Honorable Mention	Taos Teal by Elise Manieri
Honorable Mention	Morning Comes Karen de Leon Stuart

Juror: Janet Mishner ARTIST STATEMENT
“On and Off the Grid” is a series initially inspired by the perimeters of isolation necessitated by the pandemic and the nature of human need for connection, two conflicting ideas. As the pandemic continues, my interest in grids that represent boundaries and my enjoyment of obliterating them in some way with lines, mark making and shapes, I have continued this series and renamed it from its original “Connection v Isolation.”

I am enjoying this self-imposed “rule” followed by playful subversion. Sometime in my childhood, I enjoyed the mischievousness of doing something “bad” while no one was looking. The grid still represents the boundary (parental limits) while the obliteration is the chance to ignore or rebel against them sometimes. As my mentor, Gladys Goldstein said many times, “Just have fun!”

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