Visual arts thriving in Bradenton

Bradenton's visual arts community whose creations in bronze, clay, watercolors, oil, acrylics and that all-inclusive category, "mixed media," boost the city's cultural scene, can claim two important dates more than six decades apart.

The first major development was the creation of the Art League of Manatee County - recently renamed ArtCenter Manatee - in 1937.

"April is our 70th anniversary," said Diane Shelly, executive director of ArtCenter Manatee.

The second major event was the establishment of the Village of the Arts on downtown's south side in 1999.

Both receive a boost from the Arts Council of Manatee County, a support group for all the arts in Manatee County - visual, performing and literary. It is the "lead arts agency" in the county.

With more than 1,000 members, ArtCenter Manatee is the largest arts organization in Manatee County. It has been at the same address in the heart of downtown for more than 50 years.

"It's always been a real viable institution and always had amazing talent associated with it," Shelly said. "It has matured into a very professional organization that holds a lot of value to the downtown area and to the county, as well."

The center offers classes, exhibitions of its members' work as well as guest artists and traveling exhibitions, and an artists' market. This year, the center hosted the American Watercolor Society Traveling Exhibit, the show's only stop in the Southeast. The event attracted more than 4,000 visitors - many from out of town - in November, and is scheduled to return in March 2008.

The ArtCenter's membership more than doubled during the past three years. The artists' market expanded and new classes have been added, most recently in a new jewelry design studio.

"We are discussing the possibility of expanding to digital photography and getting into more woodworking," Shelly said. "We built this building in 1955, and now have a lot more visitors who come to see exhibits, visit the artists' market, and sign up for classes. We are bursting at the seams."

To the south is the Village of the Arts, a neighborhood of artists' studios, galleries and homes with a growing number of amenities such as eateries and even book shops.

The village is a 20-block neighborhood between 14th Street and Ninth streets west south of Martin Luther King Boulevard, established by the Artists Guild of Manatee.

"It has really grown," said Herbie Rose, a founding member of the artists guild. "Right now, it has grown to such an extent that nothing can interfere with its progress."

Rose and his wife, artist and musician Graciela Giles, maintain art studios as well as a separate gallery in the village of approximately 40 businesses.

A particular strength within the village is the recent addition of shopkeepers, artists and businesspeople with a wealth of experience. These mature members of the village have added a "new energy," Rose said.

"We are getting people who have done business in the past and are now putting their expertise into our growth," he said. "We are now at the state where there is no turning back. People come from Tampa and Rome, Ga. Everyone has heard about this."