Friday, October 20
Limited tickets available!
A progressive dinner tour featuring seven galleries and studios and inspired libations and food.
(September 27, 2023) Limited tickets are on sale now for Gaze & Graze, a progressive dinner and gallery tour, Friday, October 20, starting at 5:30 p.m. Gaze & Graze is presented by Creative Liberties and Grae Productions. Guests will visit seven locations, including Hamlet’s Eatery, Vino Bistro, SPAACES, Define Art Gallery, Art Ovation Hotel, and Creative Liberties (N. Lime Avenue and Apricot Avenue). Featured local food includes Hamlet’s, Vino Bistro, Skinny Nik’s BBQ and Tzeva. Tickets are $125 per guest; limited tickets are available. Purchase at: https://www.creativeliberties.net/ggdinner.
Creative Liberties co-founder Barbara Gerdeman explains that guests will be transported to each location via an air-conditioned trolley with seating, while enjoying narration about the Sarasota arts community. “At each location, guests will gaze at unique art and graze on a small plate course provided by local restaurants,” she says. “Food will include three appetizer plates, three entree plates and dessert. Assorted beverages will be served.”
Also in October:
- “Collaboration and Community: Art in Common Places,” October 5-28, at 927 N. Lime Avenue location. This exhibition is a retrospective of 34 broadsides (one-sided prints and posters) created by artists and poets collaborating via the local non-profit, Art in Common Places (AICP). An opening reception is October 5, 5-7 p.m., and will feature live poetry readings. Jackie Cutrone will read “The Rhythm of Structure” by the late John Sims; Anne Morrison will read her poem “On the Beach,” Glenn Schudel will read “Process” and artist Philomena Marano will read the poem by her collaborator, the late Maureen Seaton. The founders of AICP, and many of its artist and poet members will be in attendance. Lite bites and refreshments will be available.
- Second Saturday Open Studios: October 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at all three Creative Liberties locations. Meet the artists, view the art, and take home your favorite piece.
- Class and Workshop Information and Demo Day: October 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at 927 N Lime Avenue, Sarasota. Meet the fabulous artists who will be teaching in the Creative Academy and learn about their class and workshop offerings; see demonstrations; and register for classes and workshops. Featuring Sandy Koolkin, Deb Lambert, Jessica Rivera, Susan Hurwitch, Traci Kegerreis, Gemma Hobbs, Drita Dawn, Judy Levine, Jenny Berry and Collin Rowland. At 927 N. Lime Avenue, Sarasota.
- Family Art Day: October 28, 9 a.m.-noon, at 927 N Lime Avenue, Sarasota. Bring the whole family! These free monthly events feature interactive art-creating sessions led by professional artists. In a special edition of Family Art Day, artist Judy Levine will team up with Art In Common Places co-founder and poet Teresa Carson to lead families in making story bracelets and poetry. These projects are 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.
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.”
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.