• Donate Now

  • About
    • Board & Staff
    • Press Releases
  • Exhibits
    • 2024-25 Exhibit Season
    • Current Exhibitions
    • Coming Exhibits
    • Call For Artists
    • Exhibition Requirements
    • Exhibition Archive
    • Exhibition Proposal
  • Classes
    • Arts & Healing Program
    • Drawing Classes
    • Glass
    • Jewelry Classes
    • Nights Out Classes
    • Painting
    • Pottery/ Sculpture Classes
    • Special Interest
    • Watercolor
    • Become An Instructor
    • Instructors
  • Youth Classes
    • 2025 KidsArt Camp, Ages 6-10
    • 2025 Emerging Artists, Ages 11-15
    • 2025 Talented Tuesdays, Ages 6-10
    • 2025 Sprouting Artists, Ages 4-6
    • Drawing For Kids Ages 10-15
    • Kids Night Out!
    • KidsArt After School Ages 6-10
  • Membership
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Past Events
  • LiveArtfully
    • Retail Boutique
    • Online Boutique
    • Featured Artist
  • Capital Campaign
    • ACM Breaks Ground
    • Bishop Challenge Grant
    • Campaign Press
    • Overview
    • Campaign Team
    • Project Scope
    • Campaign Brochure
    • Naming Opportunities
    • Capital Donors
    • Pledge Form
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Membership
    • Planned Giving
    • Recurring Giving
    • ArtCenter Manatee Sponsors
    • Become a Member
    • Become a Sponsor
    • Member Links
  • Contact Us
  • Checkout

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.

At ArtCenter Manatee

Evolution, an all media open juried show, All Galleries April 15-May 1, 2025 Classes begin every week!

Follow us on

Follow Us On FacebookFollow Us On TwitterFollow Us On YouTubeFollow Us On E-mailFollow Us On Instagram

Our Location

ArtCenter Manatee
209 9th St West
Bradenton, FL 34205

MFS 9-5, TWTh 9-6. Closed Sunday

Get in touch!

941.746.2862
Email Us
More contact info
View Amazon Wish List
Sign Up for our eNewsletter!
ArtCenter Manatee is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free within the state (1-800-help-fla) or from the website: www.freshfromflorida.Com. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. Registration #ch15646.
Copyright © 2020 ArtCenter Manatee · All rights reserved · Log in