On exhibit through July 29
This exhibition, at 927 N Lime Avenue, documents “failures” artists make on their journey of creation—a normal and necessary part of the art-making process. Viewers gain insight into the ever-mysterious minds and processes of visual artists.
Summer Second Saturday Open Studio
Saturday, July 8; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Meet the artists and view their work at two of Creative Liberties’ locations: 901B Apricot Avenue and 927 N Lime Avenue.
“Living in Paradise”
Opening Reception
Thursday, July 13; 5-7 p.m.
View art by the residents of the ARCOS Apartments. Meet the artists and enjoy lite bites and beverages. Located at Creative Liberties at Gaze Gallery, 340 Central Avenue, Sarasota in the Rosemary District.
Free!
Creative Liberties Family Art Day
Saturday, July 22; 9 a.m.-noon
Bring the whole family and participate in free art projects led by professional artists.
Artist Debra Torger will lead families in a creative project that is suitable for all ages and skill levels. No RSVP required.
Magic & Mystery: An Indoor Evening Event
Saturday, July 29; 7-10 p.m.
Join us at our 927 N Lime Avenue location for an evening filled with magic and mystery. The event includes local vendors selling handmade items, tarot readings, food and drink, raffle prizes and performances.
(June 30, 2023) Creative Liberties Artist Studios and Gallery, based on a foundation of artists helping artists, continues its season’s offerings with an all-packed July. The “#artfail: Stories from the Artistic Journey,” exhibit at 927 N Lime Avenue continues through July 29 with artwork documenting “failures” artists make on their journey of creation.
Creative Liberties presents the Summer Second Saturday Open Studios, Saturday, July 8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Meet the artists and view their work at two of Creative Liberties’ locations: 901B Apricot Avenue and 927 N. Lime Avenue.
The exhibit, “Living in Paradise,” showcases art by the residents of the ARCOS Apartments. Meet the artists and enjoy lite bites and beverages at the opening reception, Thursday, July 13; 5-7 p.m., at Creative Liberties at Gaze Gallery, 340 Central Avenue, Sarasota in the Rosemary District.
Bring the whole family for Family Art Day, Saturday, July 22, 9 a.m.-noon. These free monthly events feature interactive art-creating sessions led by professional artists. Artist Debra Torger will lead families in a creative project that is suitable for all ages and skill levels. No RSVP required. This is a free program, made possible by generous funding from the Floyd C Johnson and Flo Singer Johnson Foundation.
Finally, explore “Magic & Mystery” at a free indoor event, Saturday, July 29, 7-10 p.m., at 927 N. Lime Avenue, Sarasota. The event includes local vendors selling handmade items, tarot readings, food and drink, raffle prizes and performances.
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 they launched this venture “to empower regional artists with a variety of business services and studio and exhibition opportunities.” Creative Liberties is a collective, communal space that provides work and display space for local artists. There are also display walls available for non-studio artists to rent.
The enterprise recently celebrated the openings of two more locations at 927 N Lime Avenue that features 10 new studio artists, additional gallery walls and the Creative Academy classroom/ community space; and at 340 Central Avenue, which offers limited-time artist residencies for work and display space.
“We are overwhelmed in the best way possible by how quickly Creative Liberties has been able to grow. We are extremely grateful for the incredible support we have received from the community, including from the public, the artists, the arts advocates and the media. This support is the catalyst to the rapid growth we’ve experienced,” says Gerdeman. Goodwill adds that “we are responding to feedback, requests and the needs that are presented to us. Seeing how this has developed in a short time adds excitement to the thoughts of where we can go in the future!”
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); Donna
Bergman (collage 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); Jay Li (portraiture pastel, charcoal portraiture and plein air oil painting);
Henry Martin (photography and mixed-media); Lee Oberlander (watercolor, acrylic paint and mixed-media); David Sigel (oil painting and mixed media); Steve Schwartz (acrylic paint, mixed-media); Swirly Painter (painting, canvas and mural); 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). Two additional artists are occupying studio spaces temporarily through the end of the year: Gemma Hobbs (custom tropical sculptures and arrangements) and Jessica Rivera (photography).
Creative Liberties Artist Studios and Gallery is now at two locations in Sarasota’s Limelight District: 901-B Apricot Avenue and 927 N. Lime Avenue. Its third location, Creative Liberties Artist Residencies at Gaze Modern, is located in the ARCOS Apartments, 340 Central Ave., Sarasota.
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.