Organization Formed to Promote African American Art

A diverse group of enthusiastic supporters of African American creative arts have come together to organize a non-profit organization, the Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative, Inc., to increase knowledge and appreciation of the innovative works produced by Black artists. Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative mission is:

• To advocate for greater exposure to African American Artists throughout the Suncoast Arts community
• To provide educational forums/symposia to expose students and arts patrons to the work of African American Artists

The organization has received its 501(c)3 status. Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative recently inducted six members into the organization which brings its membership to sixteen including professional artists, photographers, collectors, and leaders of major area arts organizations. Michele Des Verney Redwine, a well-known figure in the local arts community, is the founder and current president of the organization. 

Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative is undertaking a variety of initiatives, including sponsorship of exhibitions, hosting salons for guest artists, field trips to museums and exhibitions, visual art educational programs with Sarasota School System and co-sponsorship of performances and exhibitions. Partnerships and collaborations with local arts organizations that embrace the vision of a robust and diverse arts community are also being established. Past and present partners and collaborators include Art Center Sarasota, Hermitage Artist Retreat, Manasota ASALH, Sarasota Museum of Art, the Polk Museum and Sarasota School System. Through these various initiatives the organization intends to enrich the Florida Suncoast’s unparalleled commitment to the visual and performing arts. 

For additional information about the Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative, Inc., see our new website launched on 7/10/2020.

www.suncoastblackartscollaborative.org