Sarasota Art Association (Art Center Sarasota) Records

Collection

Identifier: MSS 053

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains correspondence, administrative paperwork, event planning documentation and ephemera regarding the Sarasota Art Association (SAA), which is currently known as Art Center Sarasota. At the time of donation, the organization was known as the Sarasota Art Association.

Official internal documents include meeting minutes and reports from the Board of Directors and various committees from within the organization. Other records pertain to membership information and various policies adopted throughout the organizational history. The collection also contains the organization’s yearbooks, exhibition catalogs and photocopies of scrapbooks. The photographs and photo albums included are from various SAA events, awards, and individual artists.

Dates

Creation: 1900s

Biographical / Historical

Founded by Marcia Rader, the Sarasota Art Association (SAA), now known as Art Center Sarasota, began in the fall of 1926 as a group of citizens who wanted to from an association to further the appreciation of art in Sarasota. For the first 10 years, the SAA held meetings in residential homes, businesses and rented spaces. The SAA exhibited art in store fronts, the Sarasota Terrace Hotel and the lobby of the John Ringling Hotel. By 1941, the SAA was officially recognized as a non-profit organization.

The Sarasota Art Association's first rented gallery space was in the north side of the Edwards Theater, later becoming the Sarasota Opera House. In later years, a gallery was rented in the Cain Building on South Orange Avenue. The Association later would rent space in the Mira Mar Block and finally the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport. In 1948, the City of Sarasota granted a lot in the Civic Center for the Association to erect their own building. Money was raised and Sarasota architect, Frank Martin, drew the plans. The cornerstone was laid on November 5, 1948, and the building opened in 1949. This building is located at 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236. Over the years several renovations and additions have been added. The facade was changed in 1966.

Based on research of local Sarasota County newspapers, it is estimated that the organization’s name changed from Sarasota Art Association to Art Center Sarasota in the late 1990s to early 2000s. Art Center Sarasota is still promoting art appreciation throughout Sarasota County offering exhibitions, classes and shows.

Extent

6 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Physical Location

This collection is stored offsite in a remote storage facility. Materials from the collection can be brought to the Sarasota County History Center for viewing upon request. Please contact the Sarasota County History Center by phone at 941-861-6090 or by email at historycenter@scgov.net at least three business days before your visit to ensure the material will be available when you arrive.

General

The Sarasota County History Center collects historical records and publications that were created over a broad span of time by a wide variety of individuals and groups. Some of the content in these collections may contain language or imagery that today would be considered negative, inappropriate or offensive. The contents of these historical collections do not necessarily reflect the views, beliefs or policies of the History Center, the Department of Libraries and Historical Resources or Sarasota County Government. These materials are made available to the public strictly for research and educational purposes.