Spring Art Shows in Sarasota, Venice showcase student creativity | Arts & Culture

Sarasota County, Florida -- More than 5,000 works of art created by students ages 5 to 18 will be on exhibit at two art centers from May 1 - May 24.

The north county Spring Art Show will run from Tuesday, May 1 through Saturday, May 12 at Art Center Sarasota. The south county Spring Art Show, which opens Monday, May 7, continues through Thursday, May 24 at Venice Art Center.

The 2012 exhibits are sponsored by Sarasota County Schools in partnership with the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Art Center Sarasota and the Venice Art Center. They include artwork created by students from elementary, middle and high schools throughout the district.

In the north county show, high school students compete in 12 categories for ribbons and prizes, and for five special $100 cash awards for Creativity, Originality, Most Expressive, Most Marketable and the Esther Freeman Best of Show Award.

South county students compete in 12 categories for first, second and third-place awards. Each of the first-place winners receives $100. In addition, high school cash awards for the south county show are made possible by the Elizabeth M. Campbell and Edmund B. Campbell Foundation. The Campbells are long-time supporters and advocates of the south county show.

Their generous awards include:

• $1,500 Senior Scholarship Award for best overall senior work in show
• $1,000 Best of Show Award
• $500 Best Portfolio Award for a south county senior
• $500 Creativity Award for the most original piece of art

In addition, two $5,000 Portfolio Scholarship Awards from Ringling College of Art and Design and three one-year, full-scholarship Portfolio Awards from State College of Florida will be awarded to high school seniors who have been accepted to those colleges.

Schedules of the arts shows are as follows:

North County Spring Art Show, Art Center Sarasota

707 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Tuesday, May 1, through Saturday, May 12

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday

Closed Sunday and Monday

Receptions, Sarasota:

Elementary school artwork: 5:30 - 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 2

Awards ceremony at 6 p.m.

Middle and high school artwork: 5:30 - 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 8

Awards ceremony at 6 p.m.

South County Spring Art Show, Venice Art Center

390 Nokomis Ave., Venice

Monday, May 7- Thursday, May 24

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday

Closed Sunday

Receptions, Venice:

Elementary school artwork: 5 - 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 9

Awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m.

Middle and high schools artwork: 5 - 7 p.m., Thursday, May 10

Awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m.

Release courtesy of Sarasota County Schools.