After more than 3 decades on Anna Maria, Island Gallery moving to downtown Bradenton
Thirty-two years after Island Gallery West opened on Anna Maria Island, the co-op of about 25 artists is moving to downtown Bradenton.
The co-op is busy setting up shop at 456 Old Main Street (12th Street West) with a new name: Island Gallery & Studio. An opening date has not been announced.
Among the factors in the co-op’s decision to move were limited space at their island location, continuing road construction near the gallery, beach traffic and the desire to be in a more central location.
Members also wanted to be part of the renewal of the arts scene in downtown Bradenton.
At the heart of that renewal is ArtCenter Manatee, the 86-year-old nonprofit visual arts center, which plans to break ground this summer on a two-story, 28,000-square-foot facility.
Planned are one large gallery, nine classrooms, an artisan gift shop, office and storage space and an art library.
Day, evening and weekend art classes for adults and children would be offered year-round.
Once the new facility is completed, the existing art center next door at 209 Ninth St. W., would be razed and the property developed into a community park and sculpture garden.
Island Gallery joins Bradenton’s arts scene
Downtown Bradenton is also home to Manatee Performing Arts Center, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Village of the Arts, Manatee County Central Library, the City Centre parking garage with its new retail businesses and Bradenton Riverwalk.
Realize Bradenton collaborates with the City of Bradenton, the Bradenton Community Redevelopment Agency and other partners to support the ideal that “Downtown is Everyone’s Neighborhood.”
Among Realize Bradenton initiatives are Walk Bradenton, which encourages exploration of local arts, history, culture and sports. Realize Bradenton also plays a key role in public events such as the Bradenton Blues Festival and Saturday’s Bradenton Public Market.
The Saturday market on Old Main Street offers fresh produce, local art, music, demonstrations by local chefs and more.
Also in play is the possible sale of the Bradenton City Hall property, which would allow additional redevelopment downtown.
The revitalization of downtown has not been lost on Island Gallery & Studio members.
“We want to engage the larger community with the possibilities of art of all types. We want to increase our neighbors’ access to art education so they can discover what wonderful things they are capable of accomplishing,” gallery president Jody Goldman said in a press release.
More space, more activities
The new gallery space will offer more room for members and invited guest artists each month.
“Our new home will support expanded programs, classes, educational events, and community opportunities, serving a larger audience and with greater impact for our artists,” Goldman said.
The gallery had its beginning in a former Holmes Beach Ace Auto Parts space in 1990, operated by 16 professional artists.
“All of them, hippies, fishermen, senior citizens and writers, are new to the world of running a business,’‘ a gallery member told the Bradenton Herald at the time.
