Southwest Florida Visitors' Guide: Visual Arts

You might notice that once you sink into the Southwest Florida lifestyle, it’s hard to return to the pace of regular life. Such is the case with many of our national and international artists, who became residents of the area when just visiting was simply not enough. The works of our native and nonnative talents showcase the inspiration found in our area’s striking environment and feature creative representations of life along the Gulfshore.

Get a glimpse of this passionate art at the countless galleries strung along the coastline—or better yet, take a stunning canvas, sculpture or photograph home with you.

SWFL Visitors' Guide

If you’re not sure where to start, check the Gulfshore Life calendar to find out about the wide variety of art shows and exhibitions that will occur throughout the season.

BONITA SPRINGS

CENTERS FOR THE ARTS BONITA SPRINGS, 26100 Old 41 Road, (239) 495-8989. Eight studios, an art library and two galleries comprise its Center for Visual Arts. artcenterbonita.org

EVERGLADES GALLERY AT EVERGLADES WONDER GARDENS, 27180 Old 41 Road, (239) 273-5813. Photography gallery highlighting Southwest Florida landscapes by John Brady. timeandlight.com

KATHLEEN BRADFORD STUDIO/GALLERY, 4259 Bonita Beach Road, (239) 776-6844. On-site, in her working studio, Kathleen designs her mixed media assemblage artwork on wood. She exhibits all of her artwork in her gallery. artistkb.com

THE SULTAN GALLERY AT KVS INTERIOR DESIGN, 3820 Via Del Rey, (239) 949-6700. Showcases the work of Southwest Florida’s leading artists, including painters, photographers, sculptors, and creators of pottery and distinctive craft items. kvsinteriordesign.com

CAPE CORAL

CAPE CORAL ART LEAGUE, 516 Cultural Park Blvd., (239) 772-5657. Not-for-profit organization devoted to the education and support of artists in Southwest Florida. capecoralartleague.org

CAPE CORAL ARTS STUDIO, 4533 Coronado Parkway, (239) 574-0802. An art gallery housing works from local and state artists; art supply store, gift shop, and fine art and craft classes and workshops year round. capeparks.com

HARBOUR VIEW GALLERY, 5789 Cape Harbour Drive, Suite 104, (239) 540-5789. A cooperative gallery with featured monthly art exhibits of paintings, photography, jewelry, glass art and more. harbourviewgallery.com

ESTERO

ALDO CASTILLO GALLERY, 10800 Corkscrew Road, Suite 195, (312) 375-8887. Specializing in international modern and contemporary fine art, the gallery is a pioneer for contemporary art in Southwest Florida. aldocastillogallery.com

FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY ART GALLERIES, (239) 590-7199. Main Gallery (in the FGCU Arts Complex) and ArtLab (on the west end of the FGCU library) exhibit student and faculty work as well as regional, national and international artists. artgallery.fgcu.edu

FORT MYERS

ABORIGINALS: ART OF THE FIRST PERSON, (239) 482-7025, (800) 305-0185. Authentic tribal art from Africa, aboriginal Australia and native North America. Sales provided online and through the Lee County Alliance for the Arts. tribalworks.com

ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS, 10091 McGregor Blvd., (239) 939-2787. Facilitates and nurtures the creation, development, promotion and education of arts and culture, striving to reach the widest possible audience while promoting area artists and arts organizations and advocating for increased arts programming and funding in Southwest Florida. artinlee.org

ART LEAGUE OF FORT MYERS, 1451 Monroe St., (239) 275-3970. Provides an art gallery, workshops and classes. artleagueoffortmyers.org

ARTS FOR ACT GALLERY AND BOUTIQUE, 2265 First St., (239) 337-5050. A nonprofit gallery featuring 75 artists. Operated by Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT). artsforactgallery.com

BOB RAUSCHENBERG GALLERY, 8099 College Parkway, (239) 489-9313. Exhibits modern and contemporary artwork in all media, with more than 10,000 visitors each year. rauschenberggallery.com

BROADWAY PALM DINNER THEATRE, 1380 Colonial Blvd., (239) 278-4422. Gallery showcases a variety of paintings, mixed media and other works from Southwest Florida artists. broadwaypalm.com

DAAS CO-OP ART GALLERY & GIFTS, 1400 Colonial Blvd., Suite 84, (239) 590-8645. Fort Myers’ largest cooperative art gallery offers a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, photography, pottery, crafts, jewelry and more. daascoop.com

HOWL GALLERY, 4160 Cleveland Ave., (239) 332-0161. Hybrid art gallery combined with a high-end custom tattoo studio and retail art store. howlgallery.com

SIDNEY & BERNE DAVIS ART CENTER, 2301 First St., (239) 333-1933. Offers exhibitions and networking events, theater, special events and education. sbdac.com

SPACE 39, 39 Patio De Leon, (239) 690-0004. Modern and contemporary art gallery and bar. spacethirtynine.com

THE UNION ARTIST STUDIOS, 10051 McGregor Blvd., (239) 980-1394. The Union Artist Studios is the collaboration of seven local artists who share and produce in their individual studios, all located in the second floor of the Edwards building next to Alliance for the Arts. theunionstudios.com

FORT MYERS BEACH

FORT MYERS BEACH ART ASSOCIATION, Donora & Shell Mound Blvd., (239) 463-3909. Working gallery offering classes, workshops, exhibits and sales. fortmyersbeachart.com

MARCO ISLAND

BLUE MANGROVE GALLERY, 1089 N. Collier Blvd., Suite 417, (239) 393-2405. Local and national art including photography, glass, ceramics, accent furniture and jewelry. bluemangrovegallery.com

MARCO ISLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 1010 Winterberry Drive, (239) 394-4221. Includes three galleries and hosts classes, workshops, exhibits, art shows and events. marcoislandart.org

NAPLES

ADAMS GALLERIES, 2154 Trade Center Way, Suite 1, (239) 403-0040. Original oil paintings in Italian, Mediterranean, impressionist, tropical and contemporary styles. adamsgalleries.com

ALAN BROWN GALLERY, (239) 403-4487, (239) 877-1847. Art by contemporary masters, including Tommy Simpson, Leo Kaplan, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, Jim Dine, Larry Rivers and James Rosenquist. By appointment only. alanbrowngallery.com

ARSENAULT GALLERY, 1199 Third St. S., (239) 263-1214. Paintings by Paul Arsenault. arsenaultgallery.com

ART 41, 4115 U.S. 41 N., (239) 263-0999. A wide variety of original contemporary/transitional paintings, sculptures and more created by local Naples artists. art41.com

ART ALLIANCE NAPLES, (239) 821-1061. More than 25 independent artist studios and galleries located in the Naples Art District. Offers studio art classes.

ARTANA, 462 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 228-6286. Established in 2000 in New England, Artana’s monthly exhibitions introduce individuals and companies to exceptional paintings and sculpture by leading mid-career, museum-collected artists. artanagallery.com

ARTGALLERY OLDNAPLES2. Online gallery featuring the pastel works of Karen Stone and Lynne B. Wilcox. artgalleryoldnaples2.com

AUCTIONS NEAPOLITAN & GALLERY, 1100 First Ave. S., (239) 262-7333. From sleek, modern delights to classic antiques, this unique auction house and consignment store sells home furnishings, decorative accessories, jewelry and more. Visit website for schedule of auctions and estate sales. auctionsneapolitan.com

*THE BAKER MUSEUM, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., (239) 597-1900. The 30,000-square-foot museum at Artis—Naples features 15 galleries. Admission $10 per adult, $5 per student. artisnaples.org

BARBARA GROENTEMAN FINE ART STUDIO & GALLERY, 5760 Shirley St., Suite 7, (239) 572-3386. Features the work of Barbara Groenteman, specializing in fine-art watercolors with tropical, floral and Florida wildlife themes executed in a realistic technique. barbaragroenteman.com

BETH SISTRUNK FINE ART, (239) 293-4904. Oil paintings, apprenticeship programs, workshops and private artist retreats held in Sistrunk’s beautifully appointed studio. By appointment only. bethsistrunk.com

CALUSA GALLERY, 2460 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 404, (239) 594-3888. Custom frame shop and eclectic art gallery featuring moldings, original and limited-edition prints, and custom mirrors. calusagallery.com

THE CLAY PLACE, 1555 Shadowlawn Drive, (239) 775-1078. The gallery of potter Jim Rice features functional artwork, including tiles, platters, clocks, mugs, plates, and decorative and architectural pieces. naplesclayplace.com

THE DARVISH COLLECTION INC. GALLERY OF FINE ART, 1199 Third St. S., (239) 649-0066. Nineteenth to 21st century European and American oil paintings, marble and bronze sculptures. darvishcollection.com

DEBRUYNE FINE ART, 275 Broad Ave. S., (239) 262-4551. Offers collections of museum-quality, original art. debruynefineart.com

DENNIS GOODMAN PHOTOGRAPHY & PRINTING, 5880 Shirley St., Suite 207, (239) 825-4677. Fine art nature and wildlife gallery and print shop. dennisgoodmanphotography.com

EAST WEST FINE ART, 2425 Tamiami Trail, Suite 102, Bigham Galleria, (239) 821-9459; 9115 Strada Place, Mercato, (239) 220-7503. Two locations featuring global contemporary art for the sophisticated Neapolitan home. Provides a variety of works, including a focus on traditional Russian works by academically-trained international artists eastwestfineart.com

THE EMILY JAMES STUDIO & GALLERY, 720 Fifth Ave. S., Suite 111, (239) 777-3283. Portraits and paintings of landscapes, seascapes, European scenes and more by Emily James, a native Floridian. emilyjamesart.com

THE ENGLISHMAN FINE ART & ANTIQUES, 365 Fifth Ave. S., Suite 101, (239) 649-8088. Features a collection of 19th- and early 20th-century European oil paintings and presents new modern and contemporary collections. theenglishmanusa.com

FIFTH AVENUE DESIGN GALLERY, 1826 Trade Center Way, Suites B, D and E, (239) 417-3650. Jamali fine art, cork paper, frescoes, canvas and sculpture; high-end interior design gallery. fifthavenuedesigngallery.com

FOUR WINDS GALLERY, 340 13th Ave. S., Suite A, (239) 263-7555. American Indian gallery specializing in fine sterling silver and gold jewelry. Carries sculpture, Pueblo pottery, Navajo weavings, antique beadwork and other ethnographic artwork. fourwindsnaples.com

GALLERY CW, 993 Second Ave., (239) 307-8498. The gallery of local artists Brad Woods and Dennis Creadon, whose works bring a dynamic and impressionable feeling to any lifestyle and decor with sophistication and beauty. gallerycw.com

GALLERY ONE, 770 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 263-0835. More than 200 artists and colorful art glass, paintings, sculpture, Frogman bronze frogs, ceramics and unique jewelry. galleryonenaples.com

GALLERYVIBE, 851 Vanderbilt Beach Road, (239) 417-3450. Features paintings, prints, sculpture, glass and accessories in styles from traditional to contemporary. Custom framing service available. galleryvibe.com

GARDNER COLBY GALLERY, 386 Broad Ave. S., (239) 403-7787. Representing an exceptional group of living American artists. gardnercolbygallery.com

GUESS-FISHER GALLERY, 810 12th Ave. S., (239) 659-2787. In the art business in Naples since 1983, offering works by area artists like Phil Fisher in Crayton Cove. Special shows featuring well known artists in January and February. guess-fishergallery.com

HARMON-MEEK GALLERY, 599 Ninth St. N., Suite 309, (239) 261-2637. Promotes American artists and artists’ estates for 50 years. harmonmeekgallery.com

HARMON-MEEK|MODERN, 382 12th Ave. S., Suite 309, (239) 262-2699. Newer gallery featuring contemporary group shows with different artists each month. harmonmeekmodern.com

HW GALLERY, 1305 Third St. S., (239) 263-6640. Offering modern, contemporary and traditional art. hwgallery.com

JOEL SHAPSES STUDIO, 6240 Shirley St., Suite 102, (954) 830-3156. The studio of this award-winning sculptor serves as a market place for high-quality fine art and crafts at affordable prices. joelshapsesstudio.com

JO-GI GALLERY, (239) 659-5644. The online gallery’s niche is contemporary French fine art, bringing part of Paris and Provence to you since 2000. Jo-Gi’s unique collection offers original paintings, sculptures and limited-edition lithographs. jogigallery.com

JUDITH LIEGEOIS ART AND DESIGN GALLERY, 363 12th Ave. S., (239) 430-6811. Art and design gallery featuring the finest local artists and craftsmen, including local abstract artist Mike Browne. judithliegeoisdesigns.com

THE LADY FROM HAITI, 612 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 649-8607. Gallery and boutique featuring colorful Haitian folk art and paintings, ladies’ casual accessories and funky jewelry. ladyfromhaiti.com

LESLIE HINDMAN AUCTIONEERS, 850 Sixth Ave. S., (239) 643-4448. Based in Chicago for more than 30 years with regional offices in Naples, Atlanta, Palm Beach, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Scottsdale and Denver. Conducts regularly scheduled auctions of fine art, jewelry, furniture and decorative arts. lesliehindman.com

MARIANNE FRIEDLAND GALLERY, 359 Broad Ave. S., (239) 262-3484. Major works by modern American masters. mariannefriedlandglry.com

MUFFY CLARK GILL FINE ART/FUNKY FLAMINGO STUDIO, 1004 Ridge Street, (239) 253-8827. Features the work of batik artist Muffy Clark Gill. Portrait commissions accepted. Call for appointment. muffyclarkgill.com

NAPLES ART ASSOCIATION, 585 Park St. (off Fifth Avenue South), (239) 262-6517. Provides rotating art exhibitions and classes. naplesart.org

NAPLES ART DISTRICT, 6240 Shirley St., Suite 104, (239) 596-5099. The Naples Art District has developed over the last 10 years into the largest concentration of working artist studios and galleries in Southwest Florida. naplesartdistrict.com

NATIVE VISIONS GALLERIES, 737 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 643-3785. Featuring the world’s premier nature artists. Traditional and contemporary landscapes, seascapes, wildlife and bird life. nativevisions.com

NORA BUTLER DESIGNS, 800 12th Ave. S., (239) 325-8547. Online art gallery featuring Butler’s whimsical, tropical and coastal-inspired colored-pencil drawings. norabutler.com

PETER GARON STUDIO, (239) 331-6024. Landscape-reminiscent oil and acrylic paintings. petergaronstudio.com

PHIL FISHER GALLERY, 810 12th Ave. S., (239) 403-8393. Fine art gallery featuring some of Naples’ most well-known area artists working in watercolors, oils and batik: Phil Fisher and Natalie Guess. philfishergallery.com

QUIDLEY & COMPANY, 375 Broad Ave. S., (239) 261-4300. This full-service gallery offers selected works by master artists from the United States and Europe, each renowned for their period and genre. quidleyandco.com

ROSEN GALLERY & STUDIO, 2172 J & C Blvd., (239) 821-1061. Provides a unique artistic experience uniting three gallery spaces that surround the working studios of featured artists, including the work of Tracy Magen Rosen and Richard Rosen.

SHAW GALLERY OF NAPLES, 761 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 261-7828. Represents a group of nationally and internationally acclaimed painters, sculptors and glass artists. shawgallery.com

SHELDON FINE ART, 460 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 649-6255. Brings the finest in seascape, landscape, figurative and abstract art to collectors in both Naples and Newport, Rhode Island. sheldonfineart.com

SILVER EAGLE, 850 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 403-3033. Contemporary and traditional Native American arts and crafts from more than 20 Indian nations, including handcrafted sterling silver jewelry, Pueblo pottery, Navajo rugs, artifacts, prints and more, plus an expanded gem and mineral gallery. silvereaglegallery.com

SWEET ART GALLERY, 2054 Trade Center Way, (239) 597-2110. One of Southwest Florida's largest modern art galleries, specializing in large canvases by local and nationally known artists with complimentary consultations and installations. thesweetartgallery.com

THOMAS RILEY STUDIO, 26 10th St. S., (239) 529-2633. A gallery and design atelier specializing in contemporary craft, fine art and design, representing emerging, mid-career, and established artists and designers. thomasrileystudio.com

UP ART AND DESIGN GALLERY, 340 Eighth St. S., (239) 641-3898. Presents Naples’ most “urban”-flavored exhibitions, featuring museum-level national and international artists alongside the extraordinary artworks of resident artist John Carroll Long. upartanddesign.com

OCHOPEE

BIG CYPRESS GALLERY, 52388 Tamiami Trail, (239) 695-2428. An eco-tour destination featuring the black-and-white photographs of landscape photographer Clyde Butcher. clydebutcher.com

PINE ISLAND

BERT’S PINE BAY GALLERY, 4332 Pine Island Road, Matlacha, (239) 283-1335. An eclectic variety of art, books and clothing. pinebaygallery.com

CROSSED PALMS GALLERY, 8315 Main St., Bokeelia, (239) 283-2283. Pottery, glass, jewelry, paintings and metal sculptures.

ISLAND DECOR & MORE, 814 Pine Island Road SW, (239) 573-6343. Nautical and tropical gifts, souvenirs and home décor.

LEOMA LOVEGROVE GALLERY & GARDEN, 4637 Pine Island Road NW, Matlacha, (239) 283-6453. National headquarters of renowned artist Leoma Lovegrove. Colorful art depicting Florida’s flora and fauna. leomalovegrove.com

THE POTTER’S WORKSHOP & GALLERY, 3058 Stringfellow Road, St. James City, (239) 834-7399. Open-air tropical building that features hand-made items. thepottersworkshop.com

TRADERS HITCHING POST, 4618 Pine Island Road NW, Matlacha, (239) 283-4040. The oldest gallery on the island, featuring authentic Native American jewelry and art for more than 30 years. tradershitchingpost.com

WILDCHILD GALLERY, 4625 Pine Island Road NW, Matlacha, (239) 283-6006. More than 120 local artists. Island-inspired oils, paintings, watercolors, sculptures, pottery and more. wildchildartgallery.com

SANIBEL/CAPTIVA ISLANDS

2 ISLANDS GALLERY FINE ART, 14830 Captiva Drive, (239) 472-7633. Handmade baskets, pottery, paintings, fiber sculptures and weaving, gold and silver jewelry, wearable art and more. 2islandsgallery.com

BIG ARTS CENTER, 900 Dunlop Road, (239) 395-0900. Educational classes and workshops, Phillips Gallery and Founders Gallery, Schein Hall (a 409-seat concert hall) and sculpture garden. bigarts.org

HIRDIE GIRDIE ART GALLERY, 2490 Library Way, Sanibel, (239) 395-0027. Sanibel’s premier co-op of unique, award-winning Southwest Florida art, including paintings, wood turning, jewelry, photographs, basketry, wood carving, pottery, sculpture and fused glass. hirdiegirdiegallery.com

ISLAND STYLE, 2075 Periwinkle Way, Suite 6, (239) 472-6657. Fine contemporary American crafts. islandstylegalleries.com

JUNGLE DRUMS GALLERY, 11532 Andy Rosse Lane, (239) 395-2266. Wildlife, tropical and environmental art in metal, wood, clay, glass, jewelry and much more. jungledrumsgallery.com

SANIBEL ART AND FRAME, 630 Tarpon Bay Road, Unit 8, Sanibel, (239) 395-1350. Fine art and prints by local artists, plus custom framing and custom mirrors. sanibelartandframe.com

SANYBEL’S FINEST, 1700 Periwinkle Way, Suite 8, (239) 472-6776. A gallery of arts and crafts, gifts and jewelry; features local artists in various media, including original paintings, prints, giclee, sculpture, stained glass and wood carving; custom framing and shipping available.

THREE CRAFTY LADIES, 1628 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, (239) 472-2893. Arts and crafts supplies, island-themed crafts, fabrics and quilting. threecraftyladies.com

TOWER GALLERY, 751 Tarpon Bay Road, (239) 472-4557. Expressionist and abstract paintings, gyotaku, black-and-white photography, raku ceramics and more by a cooperative of more than 20 artists. towergallery-sanibel.com

WATSON MACRAE GALLERY, 2340 Periwinkle Way, Suite B3, Sanibel, (239) 472-3386. Fine art and contemporary crafts in paintings, prints, drawings, jewelry, glass, sculpture and ceramics. watsonmacraegallery.com