Community Calendar

Join us for an artistic journey geared toward young artventurers every Saturday! Led by our friendly associates, children ages 4-11 will be guided through our world-class glass art galleries. They will then have the opportunity to unleash their imagination and express themselves with a fun and engaging craft activity.

Local Artisans will be selling gift-worthy items at the Artsy Indie Markets on Saturdays in November and December. Included are paintings, drawings, jewelry, pottery, yard art, photographs, prints, stickers, magnets, cards, ornaments and more! The markets will be held in the front yard at GCAA ArtWorks gallery at 5546 1st Ave. N.

While you’re there, come inside for the “Gift of Art” show and sale. That’s the members holiday exhibition of small handmade gifts and ornaments.

And there will be a table of gently used art supplies, craft items, books and vintage jewelry for sale.

Support your local artists while doing your Holiday shopping!

Pangarap: Espero Reimagined transforms The Maitland Art Center gallery into a canvas of speculative storytelling under Filipino artist Isobel Francisco. Inspired by Jules André Smith’s decision to establish an artist colony in Florida, Francisco envisions an alternate reality where this decision leads to 1937 Philippines. The exhibition features fictional artifacts and artworks to encourage viewers to explore the parallels and contrasts between this imagined scenario and the museum’s history. 'Pangarap,' meaning dream or vision in Filipino, invites audiences to reflect on the cultural impact of one artist’s decision in 1937 and beyond.

Celebrate the holidays – Sarasota style! With palm trees wrapped in lights, sand snowmen, and festive tunes, this all-new edition of Deck the Halls captures the magic of Christmas and Hanukkah in the Sunshine State. Filled with original songs, sketches, and interactive fun, this beloved family tradition is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.

Gilded: The New Icons Exhibit
Saturdays, December 6-27, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Arts Advocates Gallery, The Crossings at Siesta Key mall, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239 | ArtsAdvocates.org
Gilded: The New Icons is a stunning two-person exhibition featuring paintings by Alicia Brown and digital works by Elisabeth Trostli. Through their respective mediums, the artists explore themes of identity, female beauty, and representation. Drawing inspiration from Renaissance, Baroque, and Pre-Raphaelite traditions, Brown and Trostli explore how history, culture, and personal narratives shape the way women are portrayed in art. Every Saturday in December there will be informative talks about painting and gilding, (Brown) and digital painting and AI (Trostli). This exhibit is sponsored by Observer Media Group.

Alicia Brown’s richly detailed figurative oil paintings reimagine her family members in portraits that weave together colonial and Caribbean histories. Using religious iconography and lush floral imagery from her native Jamaica, Brown reflects on identity and belonging as a Jamaican living in Florida. Elisabeth Trostli, originally from Brazil, creates richly layered digital collages that combine hand-drawn illustrations, photography, and fractal patterns, enhanced with AI. Her work, influenced by global travel and classical artistic traditions, encourages viewers to embark on a fantastical journey visual discovery.

From Billy Joel to Alicia Keys, from Ray Charles to Freddie Mercury, Three Pianos celebrates the piano legends who refused to play by the rules. These aren’t your cookie-cutter rock stars: they’re the rebels, romantics, and risk-takers who turned 88 keys into pure magic. Enjoy timeless favorites like “Crocodile Rock,” “Just the Way You Are,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I’m Still Standing,” and “Beautiful.” From the soulful sway of Fats Domino to the anthemic joy of Elton John, this high-energy musical revue proves that when you follow your own tune, the music never stops.

Swing into an evening of style, swagger, and timeless charm with Feeling Good, a high-energy celebration of modern crooners. From the timeless elegance of Sinatra and the smooth sophistication of Michael Bublé to the sparkle of Bette Midler and Lady Gaga, this show delivers silky vocals, irresistible rhythms, and captivating personality. Savor swingin’ favorites like “Come Fly With Me” and “It Had to Be You,” fresh hits like “Home” and “Moondance,” and delightfully cheeky numbers such as “Stuff Like That There” and “Me and Mrs. Jones.” Equal parts class and sass, Feeling Good will leave you – well – feeling good.

A comedic murder mystery, complete with mistaken identities, six million bucks in diamonds, and a corpse in a wheelchair. An unassuming English shoe salesman who is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo. Should he succeed in passing his uncle off as alive, Harry Witherspoon stands to inherit six million dollars. If not, the money goes to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn...or else his uncle's gun-toting ex!

Southeastern Premiere. In this heartwarming tale, a man visits a tailor to have his suit pants let out after realizing he's gained some weight since he last wore them. What starts as a simple alteration turns into a transformative journey. Through their deepening conversations both their lives are altered. A Tailor Near Me is a story of self-discovery, friendship, and the magic of a perfectly tailored suit.

Tampa Bay’s number one family-friendly Halloween event, Creatures of the Night, returns eerier than ever this fall. Perfect for all ages, the frightful, fun-filled event features howling outdoor experiences, amusing shows, spooky characters, creepy culinary treats and much more on thirteen select nights through October 26!
This year’s event features a new colossal adventure, Mesozoic Mayhem, a bone-chilling scare zone where ancient beasts roam once more and chaos ensues after scientists tamper with nature. Guests encounter life-size dinosaurs, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement and just the right amount of fright that proves that eerie fun never goes extinct.

Creatures of the Night takes place on 13 select nights in September and October from 4pm to 10pm.

Event nights are September 26 (members-only night), September 27, Oct. 3-4, Oct. 10-12, Oct. 17-19, and Oct. 24-26.

General admission tickets after 4PM are $29.95 (Friday & Sunday), $34.95 (Saturday), and can be purchased online at zootampa.org.