No doubt you chose Anna Maria Island as your vacation spot because of the white sand beaches, the golden sun, the enticing blue waters. You’ll most likely spend a good amount of your Anna Maria Island vacation sticking your toes in soft sand, soaking in the rays, and admiring those turquoise waters.
However, when you take a break from the sun and the sand, you can spend a few hours admiring other waters, namely, watercolor paintings and other artwork at the Village of the Arts.
More than just art galleries and studios, Village of the Arts in Bradenton is home to delicious restaurants, specialty shops, and so much more. There’s something for everyone, so whether you’re interested in shopping or looking into healing arts services such as yoga or acupuncture, the Village of the Arts should make your list of things to do in Anna Maria Island.
Learn more about this unique artist colony and some Anna Maria Island vacation rentals available in Bradenton and surrounding areas.
Where and What is the Village of the Arts?
About ten miles north of Sarasota in Bradenton, you’ll find several colorful cottages, bungalows, and historic homes situated in a small neighborhood. You’ll be too intrigued by the bright colors and creative spirit of the place to pass by! Stop, and you’ll be glad you did.
These structures house unique galleries, studios, specialty shops, boutiques, and even healing arts centers you’ll love. You’ll also find restaurants and bakeries! You can easily spend a few enjoyable hours here, taking in the sights, tastes, and sounds of local art and cooking at their best.
This eclectic art community is made possible by the Artists Guild of Manatee, an organization of residents and business owners dedicated to keeping local art and history alive since 1999. Together, these individuals built up a once-neglected area and turned it into the bright, vibrant, teeming neighborhood known as the Village of the Arts.
Diverse. Quirky. Incredible. These are just some of the words used to describe this must-visit area. Definitely worth a few hours of your vacation to support local artists and businesses, feel the creative spirit, find some unique gifts, and try some great food.
You’ll also be just a few blocks away from downtown Bradenton, where you can visit a brewery, museum, and aquarium. Not far from Riverwalk, a 5-acre park along the Manatee River where you can fish, picnic, skate, boat, see shows at an amphitheater and let the kids loose in the splash fountain and playground of the Family Fun Zone.
Local Merchants
Sure, Bradenton has its share of supermarkets, brand stores, and popular restaurants, but you won’t find anything like the local merchandise and cuisine offered in this small artist community. Take a look at what you’ll come across when you stroll through the Village of the Arts.
Art Galleries & Studios
You’ll find more than 20 art galleries and studios at the Village of the Arts. These include Joan Peters Gallery, with many stunning original oil paintings; Left of Center Gallery, filled with paintings and stained and slumped glasswork; Trzy Studios, with paintings and drawings as well as home décor, jewelry, and more; and ReWorked Creations, an interactive gallery selling art made from any repurposed materials—from buttons to pallet wood (is that wall-mounted turtle constructed of wood scraps, plastic straws, and plastic bags??)
Others include:
- Jan Lewis Gallery
- Art Junkies
- Witchgrass Studio
- Fun Girl Art LLC
- Arte Coyoacano
- Roses By Any Other Name
- Coastal Inspiration Studio
- Monark Custom Framing and Art Gallery
Food
You’ll find several restaurants, cafes, lounges, and bakeries along these colorful streets. Enjoy an Italian entrée or pizza at Arte Caffe; “not your momma’s” specialty tacos at the Bird Rock Taco Shack; authentic Sicilian, French and Mediterranean fusion-style cuisine such as veal Milanese and Timballo at Ortygia; and southern dining with “a creative spin” at Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen.
Stop by for some fresh produce at Kim’s Country Store Produce Stand, and don’t leave the Village without trying fresh cookies made to order at Bite Me Cookies by Cindy.
Specialty Shops
From crystals and gemstones at The Village Mystic to fabric art and quilts at Bits & Pieces, there are a few one-of-a-kind shops you won’t want to miss during your visit to the Village of the Arts.
Like punk, indie, jazz, or any music outside of the mainstream? Drop into Jerk Dog Records and check out the extensive inventory of vinyl. Browse carefully-selected items at Frank Peter Antiques. Or, relax and look at the unique tropical fish at Atlantis Coral and Fish.
Healing Arts Shops & Services
Being on vacation means pampering yourself a bit; you’ll have that opportunity when you visit any of the healing arts centers found in the Village of the Arts.
Try sessions and classes in acupuncture, yoga, Pilates, meditation, and other therapies designed for optimal physical and mental healing and wellbeing.
Annual Events
There’s always something going on in the Village of the Arts, so there are not as many annual events as monthly goings-on in this art community.
On the first Friday evening and Saturday of each month, the Village of the Arts hosts an Art Walk: stroll the open-air art market, hear live music, feast on seasonal treats, and grab lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants. A fun and memorable monthly event worth the short trip from all Anna Maria Island rentals.
There are annual events corresponding with holidays or the season for the Art Walk. For instance, the Festival of Skeletons (2021 marked the 17th annual event). This past year saw such activities and displays as skull painting, shrines erected in the tradition of Mexico’s Dia de Los Muertos, and creating individual bead mosaic sugar skulls. There’s also live music and plenty of vendors.
For Christmas, there’s the Holiday Bizarre. Find unique holiday ornaments and decorations and handcrafted gifts, and more along with, of course, great food offerings and, always, live music.
For 2022, upcoming Art Walks include:
- January: Love This City
- February: Sounds of the Village
- March: Arts & Draughts
- April: EcoFest
- May: #SeenInTheVOTA
Plan Your Visit
Before you experience the Village of the Arts, experience the very best vacation properties available to make your Anna Maria Island visit the best it can be. Book your Anna Maria Island rental today!
Your Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental
Many types of 2- and 3-bedroom rentals, homes, and cottages, including our Anna Maria Island pet-friendly rentals, are available from Island Vacation Properties.
Want an ocean view? Proximity to Bradenton? Or, maybe you’d like to be closer to shopping and restaurants. Whatever you prefer, there’s a vacation rental for you! There is plenty of space for all guests, with king and queen-sized beds, queen sleeper sofas, and trundle beds. Amenities to make your island stay comfortable and complete include full kitchens, deck/patio, BBQ grill, washer/dryer, high-speed Internet, supplied linens, and outdoor showers.
Close to many Anna Maria Island vacation rentals, you’ll find fitness centers, outlet shops, grocery stores, movie theaters, restaurants, and in some cases, even golf courses. Something you love within walking distance or just a short drive away.
