Creative Liberties Featured Artists Opening Reception
Thursday, August 10; 5-7 p.m.
Join artists and art supporters for a lovely evening of art and lite bites—and meet Creative Liberties’ new featured artists. At both the 901-B Apricot Avenue and 927 N Lime Avenue locations.
Summer Second Saturday Open Studio
Saturday, August 12; 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.
Free!
Creative Liberties Family Art Day
Saturday, August 26; 9 a.m.-noon
Bring the whole family and participate in free art projects led by professional artists.
Artist Kaitlin Kelly (aka “Swirly Painter”) will lead families in a creative project that is suitable for all ages and skill levels. No RSVP required.
Conversations with the Artists at Art Ovation Hotel
Saturday, August 26; 5-6:30 p.m.
Engage in an intelligent discussion with the Creative Liberties artists who have work in the Crescendo Gallery’s exhibit, “Onaelan.” Cultural curator Robyn Hall will lead the artists in a discussion about their process, backgrounds and work.
(August 6, 2023) Creative Liberties Artist Studios and Gallery, based on a foundation of artists helping artists, continues its season’s offerings with an all-packed August, starting with an opening reception, Thursday, August 10; 5-7 p.m., for Creative Liberties’ featured artists. Join artists and art supporters for a fun evening of art and lite bites—and meet the new featured artists. At both the 901-B Apricot Avenue and 927 N Lime Avenue locations.
Creative Liberties presents the Summer Second Saturday Open Studios, Saturday, August 12, 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.
Bring the whole family for Family Art Day, Saturday, August 26, 9 a.m.-noon. These free monthly events feature interactive art-creating sessions led by professional artists. Artist Kaitlin Kelly (aka “Swirly Painter”) 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, engage in a lively discussion with the Creative Liberties artists who have work in Art Ovation’s Crescendo Gallery’s exhibit, “Onaelan.” Cultural curator Robyn Hall will lead the artists in a discussion about their process, backgrounds and work. Tickets are $30 and are available at: Conversations with Artists Spring 2023 Series Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite. Art Ovation Hotel is located at 1255 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota.
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); 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); 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); 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).
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.