April Events at Creative Liberties

March 25, 2024 – Sarasota

Ongoing:
A Taste of Art
At Chaz 51 Steakhouse in Venice

The partnership pairs fine cuisine with fine art and demonstrations every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, 5-8:30 p.m. Enjoy a meal and interact with artists.

Call to Artists!
For “True Colors: Celebrating Pride”

An open call for artists to submit works in a color scheme that represents one of colors on the LGBTQ+ progressive flag. The artworks will be displayed throughout the exhibition space grouped together by color. The exhibition is May 30-June 29; opening reception is Thursday, May 30.

April 1-April 30
Visit Artist-in-Residences at Gaze Gallery

April 1-30

Meet artists Tom Rio, Charlotte Jordan and Michelle Depaolis-Wampner, who will be taking up studio residence at Creative Liberties in Gaze Gallery at the ARCOS Apartments. Meet the artists, learn about their process, and purchase their art.

Beginning April 11
Featured Artists: Works on Display
Opening Reception is Thursday, April 11; 5-7 p.m.

View and purchase the work of 25+ local artists in exhibitions at the 901B Apricot Avenue and 927 N. Lime Avenue locations.

Free!
Creative Liberties Family Art Day
Saturday, April 27; 9 a.m.-noon

Bring the whole family and participate in free art projects led by Debra Torger.

Creative Liberties Artist Studios and Gallery continues its season’s offerings with an all-packed April, starting with a program, April 1-30, to meet artists Tom Rio, Charlotte Jordan and Michelle Depaolis-Wampner, the featured artists-in-residence at Creative Liberties in Gaze Gallery at the ARCOS Apartments, 340 Central Avenue in Sarasota. Meet the artists, learn about their process, and view and purchase their art. Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Beginning April 11: Featured Artists: Works on Display: View and purchase the work of local artists at two locations: 901B Apricot Avenue and 927 N. Lime Avenue. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, April 11, 5-7 p.m., at both locations. The exhibit at 901B Apricot Avenue will be on view through June 29; the exhibit at 927 N. Lime Avenue will be on view through May 24.

Bring the whole family for Family Art Day with Debra Torger, Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m.-noon. These free monthly events feature interactive art-creating sessions led by professional artists, which are suitable for all age groups and skill levels. No RSVP required. This is a free program, made possible by generous funding from the Johnson Singer Arts & Education Fund.

An ongoing event is A Taste of Art at Chaz 51 Steakhouse, 549 US 41 Bypass N, Venice. The partnership pairs fine cuisine with fine art and demonstrations every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, 5-8:30 p.m. Enjoy a meal and interact with artists.

Finally, Creative Liberties is issuing a Call to Artists for “True Colors: Celebrating Pride.” This is an open call for artists to submit works in a color scheme that represents one of the colors on the LGBTQ+ progressive flag. The artworks will be displayed throughout the exhibition space grouped together by color. The exhibition is May 30-June 29; opening reception is Thursday, May 30, at 927 N Lime Avenue. Visit www.creativeliberties.net for more information.

Creative Liberties Artist Studios and Gallery was founded in November 2021 by Barbara Gerdeman and Elizabeth Goodwill, both artists and art educators. Goodwill explains that “more than 35 independent local artists have artwork on display or are working at our three locations.” She adds that Creative Liberties provides “affordable working studio spaces, display walls, emerging artist residencies, education opportunities, community outreach, and unique events—all in close proximity to the downtown center of Sarasota.”

Creative Liberties now has three locations in Sarasota; the original location at 901-B Apricot Avenue features nine studio artists and gallery walls for four feature artists. The 927 N. Lime Avenue location features12 studio artists, gallery walls for six feature artists and the Creative Academy classroom/community space. Its third location,

Creative Liberties Artist Residencies at Gaze Modern, is in the ARCOS Apartments, 340 Central Avenue and offers limited-time artist residences for work and display space.

“We are responding to the needs of the artists in our community and the interests of the art enthusiasts,” says Gerdeman, “and we are thrilled to offer a whole new art buying experience that adds depth and value for both the artists and the collectors. We want to make art accessible to all, for those who want to create, sell, learn, view and buy.”

Twenty-one artists have made Creative Liberties Artist Studios and Gallery their artistic workspace. These include: Elizabeth Goodwill (book art, fiber art and mixed-media); Barbara Gerdeman (photography, acrylic painting, and mixed media); Lisa DiFranza (acrylic painting, gouache, and mixed-media); Drita Dawn Hajroja (painting and mixed-media); Traci Kegerreis (acrylic painting, collage and mosaics); Sandy Koolkin (acrylic fluid painting, watercolor and fiber art); Gary LaParl (oil painting); Judy Levine (jewelry design, collage and photography); Jie Li (portraiture pastel, charcoal portraiture and plein air oil painting); Henry Martin (photography and mixed-media); Lee Oberlander (watercolor, acrylic paint and mixed-media); Steve Schwartz (acrylic paint, mixed-media); Nancy Turner (printmaking and mixed media); Cheryl Taub (acrylic paint, pastel and collage); Adrienne Watts (abstract painting); Sandra Wix (illustration, portraits and photography); Susan Hurwitch (mixed media, collage); Ava Young (abstract acrylic painting); and John-Norman Tuck (acrylic and mixed media); and Gemma Hobbs (custom tropical sculptures and arrangements).

For more information about Creative Liberties, visit www.creativeliberties.net; call 941-799-6634 or email info@creativeliberties.net. The Limelight studios are open to the public, Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday to Wednesday by

appointment. The Rosemary artists residency at Gaze Gallery is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.