You don’t have to travel far to find culture. It’s right here in Bradenton’s downtown. For instance, there’s the Manatee Players, a national award-winning community theater; ArtCenter Manatee, one of the few galleries in the country to host the prestigious National Watercolor Society; and the Village of Arts, which has an eclectic group of talented artists. Don’t forget the monthly street party known as Getdown Downtown, which attracts hundreds of families for food, local music and fun during the season. Other festive fare includes the annual Seafood Festival on the riverfront. Plans are under way to tie these and other cultural organizations and events together through a proposed art walk called Artisan Avenue. The half-mile corridor will stretch from the downtown riverfront to the Village of the Arts, making for a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. It will be a welcome addition to downtown Bradenton. Imagine new retail shops mixed in with popular, tried- and-true, local hangouts, a community square that rivals those in Europe, a spacious courtyard, covered walkways and a sculpture garden. When it comes to culture, Diane Shelly, executive director of ArtCenter Manatee, believes Bradenton stands out because of the city’s unique “approachability” to arts — from the annual Village of the Arts duct tape contest and Gecko Fest to outdoor plays in Rossi Park and special film series at the South Florida Museum. But there’s another aspect that makes the city’s culture special — the dozens upon dozens of performing and visual artists that live and work in the area, said Carl Keeler of Manatee County’s Cultural Alliance. Keeler has lived in Bradenton since 1963 and has witnessed the city’s culture spots grow by leaps and bounds. He said it will continue to sprawl. “I see it expanding into the public sector,” he said in light of the Artisan Avenue project. “I see more public art, more venues and more galleries. It will definitely merge the city’s center around the arts. It will be an economic thrust in the area.” Bradenton’s cultural outlets include: ArtCenter Manatee The downtown gallery recently hosted the National Watercolor Society Traveling Exhibition. Its next exhibition looks at recycled art through “Altered Functions and Re-Art” on view May 28-June 26. Manatee Players Bradenton’s resident award-winning theater troupe has always been a staple of quality entertainment in our town. It is constructing a new $15 million performing arts center that will enhance productions. The new venue also holds uses for community organizations that want space to hold meetings and performances. The Manatee Players’ next season begins Aug. 20 with “Crazy for You.” Other highlights includes the holiday treat of “Annie” in December and the new stage musical “Curtains” in February 2010. South Florida Museum It’s known as the largest cultural and natural history museum on the Gulf coast, filled with exhibits featuring prehistoric life and an assortment of Florida artifacts. The museum includes the Bishop Planetarium and also is home to Snooty, Bradenton’s beloved manatee, who just happens to be the oldest living manatee in captivity. Village of the Arts Bradenton’s arts village features bungalows with artistic treasures for sale. Buy designer clothes, get the latest books, find paintings and sculptures to decorate your home or one-of-a-kind trinkets for loved ones. The village includes Bonni Bakes Edible Art shop, the unique gifts of Fancy Free Boutique Blue Morph Gallery and dozens of other creative galleries. There’s an Artwalk every first weekend of the month. The Village is between Ninth and 17th Avenues West and Ninth and 14th Street West.
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