Sarasota Studio Artists Association
Sarasota Studio Artists Association presents Second Saturday Open Studios.
Sarasota Studio Artists Association (SSAA) is a dynamic community of more than 70 regionally based artists. The creators in this broad-based coalition work in a diverse range of genres, mediums, and styles. SSAA members open their studios to visitors on the second Saturday of each month from December thru May, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. To plan your trip, visit SRQartists.com for an interactive map and a list of participating artists.
Jen Palmer is the founding director of SSAA. She notes that viewing a work of art can be an uplifting experience. But meeting an artist in the studio where they create takes it to a whole new level.
“Open studio visits are always fascinating,” she says. “It’s a chance to interact with artists, learn about their creative processes, and support them by buying their art.” Palmer adds that these artistic close encounters are the opposite of elitist. “There’s something for everyone, at every price point, from $10 to $10,000. Visitors can meet mixed-media artists, realist painters, portrait painters, photographers, sculptors, abstract artists and much more.”
Second Saturday Open Studios is SSAA’s most public initiative. But there’s a deeper purpose behind these tours. According to Palmer, it’s all about restoring the visual artist’s central place in Sarasota and creating a community. “Independent visual artists are an integral part of Sarasota’s arts culture, but previously, it was difficult to find artists’ studios and see their work” she says. “Shining a spotlight on their talents is our mission at SSAA.”
Palmer and her husband, Craig Palmer, owner of Palmer Modern Gallery and Studios at 925 N. Lime Ave, launched the organization in late 2021 with the desire to fill a void and create an artist community. As an artist, Craig personally craved connection with other artists to draw creative inspiration and share experiences.
“Sarasota has a long-standing reputation as an ‘arts town’, which is what drew us here from upstate New York over a decade ago'” Craig says. “To make that reputation a tangible reality, we wanted to support visual artists who live and work here. By creating a personal, one-one-one connection between art lovers, collectors, and artists, our Open Studios help restore a welcoming arts community and support artists’ businesses.
SSAA has also created a welcoming community for artists new to the area, providing a supportive environment for creatives who are passionate about their pursuits. Now that we have an established website and a printed map, artists can easily find us and join the community”.
Speaking of locations, Sarasota studio locations shift frequently due to the rising property costs and landlords deciding to sell once affordable properties to the highest bidder. Despite these challenges, several art collectives have established their roots and are thriving. One of the newest locations is SEAS: SRQ East Art Studios, which artist Jen Kroeger manages. SEAS is located near Lakewood Ranch at 8326 Consumer Ct. and offers the opportunity to view art from twelve talented artists. In north Sarasota, the Art Hub, located at 1748 Independence Blvd. is a collection of 10 experienced artists located in an easily walkable area. Both collectives consistently participate in Second Saturday Open Studios and provide a great way to see a wide variety of unique art in one location.
To locate SEAS, the Art Hub, Palmer Modern, and the other amazing studios, be sure to pick up the latest SSAA printed brochure and map which is distributed at Visit Sarasota and various galleries downtown.
Visit SRQartists.com to discover artists, studios and events happening within Sarasota County’s cultural art community or email srqartiststudioassoc@gmail.com for more information.
Address:
925 North Lime Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34239
Website: