Guide to Day Tripping for Art Lovers:
Our Guide to Day Tripping for Art Lovers features seven Galleries and other art related stops. Most of the galleries are open from 10 am to 6 pm Monday thru Saturday. We recommend you start your day early...visit a few galleries...grab a bite for lunch then visit a few more galleries!
You'll love Punta Gorda's many art galleries. So, gather a few friends up and head to Punta Gorda! If you follow the adventure guide below you won't miss any of the highlights!Driving and parking instructions are in gray lettering!
If a gallery or shop is highlighted in purple then you may click on it for additional information.
From the interstate: Take Punta Gorda Exit 164 and head west. The road you are on Marion Avenue will lead you to downtown Punta Gorda sandwiched between north and southbound Highway 41. Watch for northbound Hwy 41 as you'll want to park on the block immediately after you pass over it. If you can't find parking on the street then take the first right (Taylor Rd.) and pull into the large vacant parking lot.
From south of Punta Gorda on Hwy 41: Follow Hwy 41 north to Marion Avenue in downtown Punta Gorda. Turn left on Marion Avenue and park.
From north of Punta Gorda on Hwy 41: Cross over the bridge from Charlotte Harbor into downtown Punta Gorda. Take a left on Olympia and go two blocks to Hwy 41 northbound. Turn left and go one block to Marion Avenue. Turn left and park.
First Gallery Stop: At 113 West Marion Avenue you will find the Sea Grape Gallery, a cooperative fine arts gallery featuring award winning original artwork by 21 local artists. Come visit the gallery and enjoy original paintings, stained glass, pottery, photography, fiber art, jewelry, woodworking and much more. This is a “must see” in downtown Punta Gorda!
Two doors west at 119 W. Marion Avenue you will find Al Morgan’s Gallery of Fine Jewelry. You might want to think about having something custom made just for you!
If you are in need of caffeine, you can grab a cup of java at Café Ruelle just down the cute little alleyway between Sea Grape Gallery and Pomegranate & Fig, a great new little specialty shop that also has artwork on display.
Your next Gallery Stop is within walking distance or you can drive to it. If you walk, (it's only two blocks away), head west on Marion Avenue to Taylor Road and turn left. Proceed one block and cross over Olympia then Taylor Street to reach Sunart, 307 Taylor Street.
If you drive there are two ways to get to Sunart. Proceed on Marion Avenue to Taylor Street and turn left. Cross over Olympia Avenue and pull in the parking lot on your right (between Presseller's Delicatessen and Sunart). Or, on Marion Avenue head west to Sullivan Street and turn left, at the end of the block turn left into the city parking lot or cross over Olympia and park along Sullivan Street.
Second Gallery Stop: Sunart Gallery & Framing, 307 Taylor Street, is a fine art gallery and a full service custom frame shop. Sunart offers bimonthly exhibits of original work by primarily Florida artists. You will also find unique pottery, glass, sculpture and jewelry. In the framing area, you will find a huge selection of mats, frames, moldings and other framing materials.
When you leave Sunart turn right and next door you will find Red Hat Studio at 311 Taylor Street, Red Hat Studio offers classes in oil, acrylic and colored pencil. Specialized workshops are also part of the curriculum and include drawing, murals and stained glass design. Works by owner and award-winning artist Liz Hutchinson and other guest artists are always on display. Its fun to stop by while a class is in session to observe works of art in progress.
Stroll south on Taylor Street past Bisous at the Spa where you can pick up a cold beverage at their new cyber café The Porch. At Virginia Avenue, turn right and go one block to the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Sullivan Street.
Third Gallery Stop: Watch for the Swiss flags and you’ll easily find Gallery Joe Mathis at 403 Sullivan Street. This distinctive new gallery features the work of renowned Swiss artist Joe Mathis. You’ll find works of art by other international and local artists as well. Exhibits change frequently so be sure to check out their web site for details. After visiting the gallery, make sure to stop next door at Swiss Chocolate+ for a taste of Switzerland, including chocolates, pastries, espresso and more!
When you leave Gallery Joe Mathis, head south on Sullivan Street to Olympia Avenue. As you stroll down Sullivan you might want to stop at Guiditta's, So Sausalito and Carly's Consignment Boutique to shop for women’s fashions. Turn right on Olympia and in the middle of the block in the wonderful old Florida storefront you’ll find Presseller Gallery, your fourth gallery stop.
Fourth Gallery Stop: Presseller Gallery, 213 West Olympia provides a venue for local artists to showcase fine art giclee prints, pottery, sculpture, jewelry and hand painted furniture. The gallery regularly hosts special exhibits. Upstairs from the gallery are the art studios of Michael Vires and Sandy Pond. Their studio hours vary but if the door is open then you’ll know an artist is in and you’re welcome to visit. Before leaving the building, make sure to visit Presseller Delicatessen which retails its own line of gourmet sauces, toppings, oils, vinegars and more. If all that good food makes you hungry you can purchase a deli sandwich to enjoy in Presseller’s beer garden out back. Or, dine at one of the other fine restaurants located downtown - River City Grill, Turtle Club, Zen Bistro, Café Ruelle, Dean's South of the Border, Perfect Caper, Cubby's Ice Cream Parlor or the new Encore Tea Room and Cafe (check out the restaurant section of this web site for details.)
You will need to leave the historic downtown business district to reach the next Gallery stop. The good news is that you’ll pass right through Punta Gorda’s historic residential neighborhood! Find your way back to Marion Avenue (it’s the one you started on) and take Marion Avenue west through the historic neighborhood. Note the cobblestone streets lined with majestic royal palms. You’ll know you are getting close to your next turn when you pass Impac University. Turn left at Maud Street (just across from Fisherman’s Village). Park in the parking lot at the Visual Arts Center.
Fifth Gallery Stop: The Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud Street is the largest non-profit facility in the area for the creation, learning, and enjoyment of the visual arts. Exhibits in the three main galleries change almost monthly. The center sponsors a fall Fine Arts Festival; and a juried national art exhibit every other year. The annual Peace River National Art Festival brings 8,500 people in to enjoy and buy high quality art. The center offers high quality art classes for all ages, skill levels, and media. There is also a gift shop, art library, state-of-the-art pottery studio and a jewelry/stained glass studio.
If you haven’t visited Fishermen’s Village yet, you might want to do so now! It’s just across the street from the Visual Arts Center! There are many fine retail shops and restaurants to be enjoyed. To get to your next gallery stop, you’ll need to head east on Olympia Avenue. This is the one way street that intersects with Maud Street just south of the Visual Arts Center. This will take you through downtown Punta Gorda and back out towards the interstate. Your next stop will be at 251 East Olympia Avenue.
Sixth Gallery Stop: Gabrielle Childs Studio and Gallery, 251 East Olympia Avenue is a contemporary gallery and working studio featuring large scale expressionistic paintings on canvas, and exciting, unique dimensional wall sculptures executed in paper. This Gallery also proudly represents Nancy Stage Robinson, internationally acclaimed artist known for her mystical subject matter and use of kaleidoscopic colors in her paintings.
Now head east on Olympia Avenue towards the interstate to reach your last gallery stop. Watch the street signs carefully after you pass the hospital for Scott Street. Turn left on Scott Street and pull in the parking lot of Vicki Glynn Gallery and Frame.
Sixth Gallery Stop: Vicki Glynn Gallery and Frame located at 6210 Scott Street. Visit this fine gallery and enjoy a selection of beautiful pieces from some the area’s most talented artists. They also specialize in quality custom framing.
____________________________________
Other items of interest to Art Lovers!
Punta Gorda’s Historic Murals: Punta Gorda is filled with wall murals depicting scenes from Punta Gorda’s past and present. Many are located in historic downtown Punta Gorda. Click here to get a pocket guide featuring eleven downtown murals. All are within easy walking distance of each other. For more information about each of the murals go to http://www.puntagordamurals.com/.
Art in Public Places Program: There are many businesses in Punta Gorda that participate in the Arts in Public Places program. These businesses display art created by local artists. Some of the downtown locations participating include The Charlotte County Justice Center at 350 Marion Avenue , Shells Realty at 241 Cross Street and Charlotte Community Foundation at 1675 West Marion Ave.
Public Sculpture: There are wonderful pieces of sculpture scattered through out downtown Punta Gorda and at Laishley and Gilchrist Parks. One of the most unusual pieces is by artist Peter Toth and is located at 311 West Retta Esplande a short walk from downtown Punta Gorda next to the A.C. Freeman house.
When you get home we hope you'll take a few minutes to email us your comments on your art adventure and the effectiveness of this adventure guide! We thank you so much for visiting our community!