[Lynell]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I lived in Sarasota for 17 years - to me and my husband it's not truly "artsy" but more "artsy-fartsy". We much prefer more "real" towns like St. Petersburg - the ambiance there is just so much better - just a little more laid-back and "Bohemian". Sarasota is just too much "upscale" and snooty for my taste .

I have run into the snooty artsy attitude and I find it unbearable. Anybody who still lives in Sarasota out there? Is this acacurate now?

St. Petersburg's air is not as good, but still definitely better than the air I'm living in now. I'll check it out. Thanks.

[carolac]

Yes, it is!! Orlando voted Democrat in at least the last few presidential elections. Then there's the mayor. . .

Originally Posted by blueoktober

Orlando is very liberal in almost all aspects.

[Bella52]

I have been to the Village of the Art (Art Walk in Bradenton) and that was interesting. Here is a link........
Village of the Arts, The Artists Guild of Manatee - Bradenton, Florida (http://www.artistsguildofmanatee.org/galleries.html - broken link)

P.S. No one there seemed "snooty".

[gypsychic]

I love Village of the Arts - but that is not Sarasota, it is north Bradenton, a whole different animal. I love Bradenton, it's only problem right now is that there is too much crime there, but snooty, it isn't. If not for that, it has that small town, quaint "old Florida" feel, but it needs to address it's problems. I know that the artists in that "village" were made a lot of promises by the city that are not being kept - too bad, because it has a lot of potential, but don't know how long they are going to want to be surrounded by all the drugs and crime in their neighborhood. We almost relocated there, but the crime rate, and the poor layout of downtown with the highway cutting through changed our minds.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by Lynell

I have run into the snooty artsy attitude and I find it unbearable. Anybody who still lives in Sarasota out there? Is this acacurate now?

St. Petersburg's air is not as good, but still definitely better than the air I'm living in now. I'll check it out. Thanks.

I just moved to downtown Sarasota this spring. I personally do find a lot going on now, even in the summer. We just had a fantastic block party last month, called White on State...you can go to Sarasota2night.com and view the pics....

Sometimes the basis for the snobishness is fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure...

I've been meeting pretty cool & friendly people since my move; maybe fear left town?

[Colorado to Texas]

Originally Posted by Carbondated

I moved to the Sarasota area from Chicago 10 years ago. I received a BFA from a prestigious art school in Chicago, worked in 3 major art museums there and was a working artist with commissions. I made a horrible career move when I decided to move to Sarasota.

Unlike Chicago, Sarasota's artistic community works within a bubble of pretentiousness. Most gallery owners are primarily promoting their own art.
All meetings of the Sarasota Arts Council take place during the daytime, thus excluding people who are not retirees or independently wealthy. Creating art "outside the box" will get you no where. Most art buyers are not looking for cutting edge, but rather are looking for something "pretty" over their sofa.

Sarasota likes to promote itself as an "artsy" community, but it is rather like a cow town trying to dress itself up. Nothing urbane, or progressive about it.

Wow, I am sorry to hear that. I am very interested in finding a liberal openminded community that respects a broad base of art. I wonder where "Carbonated" found his/her home? I currently live in Denver and have been recently drawn to Florida and would love to know if any one has any ideas of great places with a vibrant economy for progressive healthy liberals? Thank you very much in advance.

[imagardener]

Originally Posted by Carbondated

I moved to the Sarasota area from Chicago 10 years ago. I received a BFA from a prestigious art school in Chicago, worked in 3 major art museums there and was a working artist with commissions. I made a horrible career move when I decided to move to Sarasota.

Unlike Chicago, Sarasota's artistic community works within a bubble of pretentiousness. Most gallery owners are primarily promoting their own art.
All meetings of the Sarasota Arts Council take place during the daytime, thus excluding people who are not retirees or independently wealthy. Creating art "outside the box" will get you no where. Most art buyers are not looking for cutting edge, but rather are looking for something "pretty" over their sofa.

Sarasota likes to promote itself as an "artsy" community, but it is rather like a cow town trying to dress itself up. Nothing urbane, or progressive about it.

What you are complaining about is the very nature of big vs. small city (and I'm not trying to bash you, just comment).
Local art vs. regional art vs. international art. There is a place for all of them.

Most people on an individual basis do buy art that matches their home decor. Only collectors and museums rise above that to showcase art that transcends the decorative. "Decorative" BTW for non-art majors is the worst thing you can say to an artist, akin to "yo mama is ugly"

If I was the type of mature artist whose work was international in scope I would LIVE in Sarasota but not expect to sell any art there. Younger artists need the culture and community of a big city to form themselves, see big city art exhibits and hone their skills.

Sarasota is an arty town, just know it for what it is and not what it isn't.

I just wish there were better art classes there. I've been looking and looking and most of the best are 1 week workshops outside the Ringling college sponsored by independent venues like The Southern Atelier.
The quality there seems pretty high.