Paint by Numbers: 6 Galleries to Visit (Plus Where to Dine & Stay After)

Whether you’re a new collector or a connoisseur, here are a few spots to hit while here, plus where to grab a bite and drink close by after you've gotten your fill of their vast collections and exhibitions. 

1. Chasen Galleries

Bright colored mixed media creations, incredible masterpieces and contemporary sculptures are visible at Sarasota's Chasen Galleries – and that’s just in the windows. This fine art gallery, established in 1983, is home to interactive art shows and professional service for anyone looking to spruce their home up with a new masterpiece. Chasen Galleries shares the art of local, national and international artists with the Sarasota audience. Make an appointment or stop by either of their locations–its original in Southside Village and its newly opened spot Downtown Sarasota—to see what's on display.

Dine & Drink Here: 

If exploring Chasen Galleries at The Mark in downtown, exit out on Pineapple Avenue, and make a sharp left onto Lemon Avenue to find Boca Sarasota on your right (under a minute walk). Boca's outdoor patio is hard to beat and the farm-to-table New American menu is the perfect place to fill up a healthy, hearty lunch and Bloody Mary. 

If at their Southside Village location, walk one block up Osprey Avenue to find Libby's Neighborhood Brasserie. Similar to Boca, Libby's outdoor patio gets the perfect breeze and sets the tone for a lovely lunch in the sun, enjoying a glass of wine and some small classic American plates with fellow art lovers, or just a lover who's tagging along. 

2. Burns Gallery on Palm

This intimate, contemporary art gallery is a longstanding locale that has evolved from its original Old Florida cottage, hidden under giant banyan trees in Sarasota's Historic Burns Court district, to moving to a premier real estate storefront on the gallery-dense Palm Avenue in the heart of downtown. Inside Burns Gallery, you’ll find a diverse group of talents from 2D to 3D mediums from regional and national artists, as well as find jewels, luxury home goods and lifestyle pieces. You can also meet the people behind some of these masterpieces at monthly exhibitions and trunk shows.

Dine & Drink Here: 

Continue walking down Palm Avenue until you get to the corner of Main Street and spot Selva Grill across the way. Enjoy a darkened dining experience inside its main dining room or attached cocktail lounge, or grab a seat on the sidewalk, under its awning, to sip sangrias while talking about how good the Peruvian-style Caesar salad is. But let it be known, everything on this Latin Fusion menu is worth trying. 

3. Englewood Art Center

Heading south, to the heart of Englewood, step inside the Englewood Art Center, a division of the esteemed Ringling College of Art and Design. Four distinct galleries showcase a variety of media exhibitions that range from established artists to up-and-coming local talents. An incredibly welcoming atmosphere—whether looking to take an adult art class or attend an evening event—the center aims to bring in audiences of all walks of life and interests. 

Dine & Drink Here: 

Just a half-mile walk up South McCall Road, into the heart of Olde Englewood Village, you'll be pleased to find Mango Bistro's big, bold mango mural beckoning on its building facade. Grab a table outside on the patio or in its eclectic art-filled dining room. Serving up breakfast and lunch, don't forget to hydrate with one of its organic fruit smoothies, specialty coffee drinks or Boba teas. After dining, continue strolling the many local boutiques, shops and galleries on Dearborn Street.

4. Art On St Armands, A Procaccini Gallery

With esteemed locations on Duval Street in Key West and another in Naples, the third of Procaccini Galleries makes a home on the famed St. Armands Circle of Lido Key. Art on St Armands Circle represents internationally collected and Florida-based artists, as well as famed photographers. The fine art gallery touts its pieces from all over the world and its beautiful location just a short walk from catching a watercolor sunset over the gulf. Don't miss Meet the Artist Shows, held every so often for viewers and buyers to experience intimate meet-and-greets.

Dine & Drink Here:

Newly renovated and reimagined, Café on St Armands is a short and scenic stroll around the Circle. Settle in for a taste of Europe a stone's throw from Sarasota’s shores. You can enjoy an aprés-shopping Aperol Spritz on the sidewalk or dine inside its beautifully hip dining room while deciding which small plates and shareable bites to order—all with bold Southern European and Middle Eastern flavors. 

5. Number 33 Gallery of Arts

Whether you’re dipping your toe into art appreciation, or an experienced collector, you’ll soak up the vibe at Number 33 Gallery of Arts in Historic Downtown Venice. This picturesque gallery with peach-colored Mediterranean stucco exterior on West Venice Avenue, features local and state award-winning artists and photographers inside, plus internationally published work that fill almost every square-inch of its walls. The gallery will often host artists whose work is showcased for meet-and-greets.

Dine & Drink Here:

Continue walking down West Venice Avenue to shop and take in the sights before landing inside the stone walls and pillars of Cafe Venice Restaurant & Bar. The European-style bistro features an upscale-casual lunch and dinner menu to pair with a nice bottle of fine wine or a mixed cocktail. For something even more casual, its bar menu is available for lighter handheld options, appetizers and tapas.

6. Boulevard Fine Art South Gallery

Nearby, art lovers come to fawn over the sophisticated interiors of Boulebard Fine Art South Gallery—once the old Nokomis post office. New owners brought the space back to life and brought in exquisite original art from around the world—from contemporary to traditional styles. For those looking to just walk, wander and admire, there are always new arrivals to check out. Meanwhile, custom framing and matting services are available for those looking to buy a new piece or redesign existing art at home to suit their decorating needs. 

Dine & Drink Here:

Just a short few minutes drive south, grab a table on the water at Dockside Waterfront Grill. Located in the historic Fisherman's Wharf Marina, this Old Florida gem dishes up fresh seafood and daily fish selections, plus frozen fruit libations, classic cocktails and an unobstructed Florida sunset from its giant tiki hut. Live music on the weekends sets the tone for a picture-perfect outing. 

Where to Stay: Art Ovation Hotel

Looking for more out of your art-filled stay? Real enthusiasts will want to book a room at Art Ovation Hotel, a luxurious boutique property at the end of downtown’s “gallery row” on Palm Avenue. Depending on which of the aforementioned galleries you decide to visit, this central hotel is anywhere from three minutes to just under an hour away. An active museum in its own right, discover rotating art pieces on display around the property, hallways and rooms. In the front foyer, often find special events on the weekends and local artists showcasing their work to guests and visitors by the chic hotel lobby bar. 

Dine & Drink Here:

You never even have to leave the lobby to grab a bite at Art Ovation. The hotel's onsite restaurant is located on the first floor of the foyer, called Tzeva. Serving up modern Mediterranean cuisine with Israeli influences, expect brightly colored dishes of global spices and craft cocktails to match. Like the ever-changing local art featured throughout its surroundings, Tzeva's menu also shifts with the seasons. 

Find more hotels for art aficionados here.