Venice Art Center: A Haven for Community, Creativity and Growth
Much growth, and many changes have occurred during the 65+-year tenure of the Venice Art Center: but one thing remains steadfast. Its dedication to exhibiting art, supporting area artists, and enhancing our community’s overall creativity.
To that point, the organization has just refreshed its mission statement to “make it more current to what we are doing right now,” said CEO Mary Moscatelli. The new mission statement, to “provide cultural enrichment opportunities that inspire and engage our community to see, experience and create art,” more clearly expresses Venice Art Center’s (VAC) goal “of making art available to everybody, including all ages and all socio-economic backgrounds,” she said.
The VAC’s modifications are not just theoretical, Moscatelli added.
Over the 14 years that Moscatelli has led the Center, it’s grown from 26,000 visitors to nearly 50,000 per year. Classes jumped from 250 to 550, with significantly more programs for kids. VAC even added a second portion to its building on Nokomis Ave. in Venice about five years ago to accommodate its growth and popularity.
“Our classes are a highlight,” said Moscatelli. “We have more than 50 instructors, offering a variety of art instruction for adults, teens and kids, in any media you can think of. From painting to pottery, the new room is full, morning to evening,” she said. The Center also brings in internationally known artists for specialty workshops.
The Venice community rallies for the VAC’s exhibitions and events. It holds a variety of art shows year-round plus fundraisers to support the Center. That includes community-wide public art displays such as the just-ending FantaSea Venice, where local artists decorated 30 seahorses and 22 mermaids, which were then put on display throughout the area. They were auctioned off on April 1, 2023, with proceeds to benefit Venice Art Center programming.
VAC also provides a space for area organizations’ events, such as the Venice Symphony, Sarasota Film Festival, Our Mother’s House and more. “We are very ingrained in the community. We want to give back to them just as they support us,” explained Moscatelli.
To round out the fact that VAC is a happening campus, it also boasts an on-site café and a prominent gift shop offering ever changing, locally made art and crafts.
Collectors Gallery & Framery's Journey of Community Support and Artistic Expression
When the owner of Collectors Gallery & Framery first approached Aimee Odette and Michael Rank about purchasing the 40-year-old business, the couple was momentarily hesitant. After all, they were still relatively new business owners, having launched the neighboring The Island Bookshop & Gallery in 2021. However, they quickly embraced the idea.
“Michael and I decided it was a very natural kind of expansion of our business repertoire,” said Odette. Plus, after sitting with the thought of not taking on the venture, the two realized they couldn’t resist the opportunity. It presented a kaleidoscope of possibilities, enabling them to further support the Venice community – a cause close to their hearts – by revitalizing a historic business and expanding their bookshop.
"Venice is a very creative and artsy town that loves its culture," remarked Odette. Acquiring the business in November 2022 was a natural fit, seamlessly extending their involvement in the arts. “After all, books are art, framing is an art, and we were already selling works of art in our bookshop,” she noted.
Over the past year, Odette and Rank spearheaded significant improvements in the business. That includes doubling the size of the fine art gallery and design studio for custom framing.
The Gallery boasts an impressive variety of artwork, chosen to appeal to a variety of artistic tastes. “We have traditional oil paintings depicting Florida scenery as well as abstract pieces. There’s also photography and vibrant mixed-media collage,” said Odette. While most of the artwork is original, there are some prints. Plus, custom pottery, glasswork and woodwork are available from skilled local artisans.
The Framery division is equally robust, catering to a wide range of framing projects–from sentimental items such as tee shirts, medals, and certificates of accomplishment to fine art and photographs. “Custom framing is an investment, but also a beautiful art. To see the looks on peoples’ faces when their piece is finished, is priceless,” said Odette.
A social worker by education, Odette still serves as Assistant Professor of Teaching at the University of Southern California. Her expertise lies in analyzing systems, communities, and relationships, which she calls “a perfect fit” for her newer endeavors. “Our business would not be successful if we didn’t have the community behind us,” she said.
Eventually, Collectors Gallery & Framery will expand to offer artist talks, demos and maybe even small classes. “This business will continue to grow and evolve. It is a creative endeavor; you could say it is our art,” remarked Odette, highlighting her commitment to ongoing innovation and development. Learn more at facebook.com/VeniceCollectorsGallery.
