Fine Arts Galleries to Visit On or Near Siesta Key

While Siesta Key is well-known for its incredible beaches, it has a vibrant arts community as well. Enter the artistic world of Siesta Key during your next trip here and experience a wide range of unique galleries, creative local pieces, and art centered events.

The island’s most impressive galleries are concentrated within a short distance of the coastal Siesta Key vacation rentals. Art buyers and aficionados will love the coastal art scene here, which features both renowned international artists and local up-and-coming artists.

While you probably come to the island for the sun and sand, add a couple of the Siesta Key art galleries below to your list of things to do.

The Gallery on Siesta Key

Location: 5129 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242

Part art gallery and part gift shop, this cooperative space was designed for artists, connoisseurs, and the average visitor to enjoy.

The Gallery features local paintings and photography, local crafts, home décor, glassware, wearable art, and lots of driftwood and seashell creations.

It’s an eclectic shared space. Beach-themed art is plentiful here and the items are affordable. Overall, it’s a great place to get quality art and a souvenir from your beach vacation.

One of the co-op members is always present at The Gallery, so take advantage of speaking face-to-face with a local artist about what inspires them.

The Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. It is located in Siesta Key Village, a short walk from the beaches, restaurants, shopping, Siesta Key vacation rentals, resorts, and hotels.

Art Avenue

Location: 3501 S. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota, FL

A favorite among Siesta Key art galleries, this 11,000-square-foot, high-end gallery right off Siesta Key retains a focus on international works of art.

Art Avenue, one of the largest galleries in the state, features pieces from famous artists like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Leroy Neiman. They are constantly acquiring new art, including a series of feminine sculptures in 2017. The permanent collection includes a wide variety of paintings and mixed media art by both international and local Sarasota artists.

The gallery hosts regular exhibitions, live artist receptions, and events, some of which include live music.

Art Avenue is located in Southgate Mall between downtown Sarasota and the keys across the bay, about a 10-minute drive from central Siesta Key. They are open Mondays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 12 to 6 p.m.

Ringling Museum of Art

Location: 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, FL

The state art museum of Florida, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, is one of the best things to do in Sarasota, and certainly worth the 20-minute drive from Siesta Key.

Established in 1927 by circus magnate John Ringling and his wife, this art museum is home to more than 30 galleries of both permanent and rotating collections.

The permanent collection includes more than 28,000 works of Western and non-Western art, from ancient times to the 21st century.

In true Ringling fashion, an archives section of the museum includes a collection of thousands of circus bills and prints, as well as personal effects from the couple’s mansion.

Various tours, talks, and events, including a regular 40-minute permanent collection tour Tuesday through Sunday, are open to the public throughout the year.

The gallery’s upscale, casual restaurant, Muse at the Ringling, serves local dishes with international influences, desserts, and drinks, including handcrafted cocktails.

Adult admission is $25 and child (5 to 17) admission is $5. Children under five get in free. Discounts apply for students, seniors, teachers, and military with valid I.D. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (8 p.m. on Thursdays).

Explore the above art galleries for a glimpse of fine art from Florida and around the world. Our Siesta Key vacation rentals offer plenty of opportunities to appreciate the unique art of the area.