Sterling Edwards is a contemporary watermedia master who is originally from Kansas City, Missouri. He has been a resident of North Carolina since 1973.

In 2007 Sterling was honored to be awarded signature member status in the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour (CSPWC) and in 2010 he was awarded signature membership status in the Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA).

Sterling was a featured artist in the fall 2001 issue of “Watercolor Magic Magazine’s Ones to Watch” and has been featured in numerous other magazine and newspaper articles. In 2009 he was a featured artist in the book, “Best of America Watermedia Artists”. He is the author of the best selling North Light book “Creating Luminous Watercolor Landscapes, a Four Step Process” and is a featured artist in numerous  other books by various national and international publishers including, “Masters of Watercolor”, published in 2015 by Russian artist and author, Konstantin Sterkhov. Sterling is also the designer of a signature line of multi-media paint brushes and a watercolor palette that are marketed internationally.

In 2013 Sterling was proudly accepted by invitation into the International Watercolor Society (IWS) and in 2015 was awarded a lifetime signature membership into the internationally renowned Whiskey Painters of America (WPA), the most unique and exclusive miniature painting society in the world.  In 2017 he was awarded signature membership status in the National Watercolor Society (NWS).

Highly respected among his peers, Sterling is often commissioned to jury national and international art competitions. His award-winning paintings are in private and corporate collections worldwide. Sterling works from his home studio in Lewisville, North Carolina.

The Pottery Studio is available for use during regular business hours by ArtCenter Manatee members who have completed one ceramics class at ArtCenter Manatee in the past two years. Open studio is available only when classes are not in session. There is a fee for use of Open Studio if you are not in a ceramics class. Each session is up to 3 hours. A full day is up to 6 hours. If you are currently enrolled in a ceramics class you have a one week grace period after your last class date. You must sign in and out at the front desk at all times. If you do not sign in/out, it will be considered an all day open studio. You must provide your own materials. Clay may be purchased for $35 per 25 lbs. Price includes glazes and firing.

Please call before coming to ensure schedule has not changed.

• • • • • Single Open Studio: $9 for one, 3-hour session
        • 6-pack Open Studio: $42 for six, 3-hour sessions
        • 12-pack Open Studio: $72 for twelve, 3-hour sessions

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Your donation will support Arts & Healing and KidsArt as well as other education programs and exhibits. Art promotes learning, encourages creativity and self-expression and help us heal and connect to the world around us.Each of us has the potential to impact a person, a cause, a community. YOU can Be The One to make a difference through your continued support of ArtCenter Manatee, the premier visual arts center in Manatee County for over 80 years.

The 2018 Giving Challenge, hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation, is a 24-hour online fundraising initiative that supports 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in a four county area.

Double your impact! During the Challenge, unique donations to ArtCenter Manatee will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100 by the Patterson Foundation: $25 =$50, $50=$100, $100 = $200, $200=$300

There are three ways you can give.

1. On May 1-2, Noon to Noon, go to https://givingpartnerchallenge.org, find ArtCenter Manatee, and make your donation.

2. In advance, complete a form that we will enter for you on May 1 & 2 – your info will be kept secure and shredded right after it is entered. Call us 941-746-2862

3. Come to the ArtCenter on May 1-2, Noon to Noon and we will have a computer available for your use.

We all know how important art is in our lives, and in the life of our community, and we thank you for your support!

To see some of the things we’re planning in 2018-19 with your support, click here.

To view our Giving Partner Profile, visit: https://thegivingpartner.guidestar.org/Nonprofit?orgId=1117137.

ArtCenter Manatee is a registered 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the State, 1-800-Help FLA, or from the website www.freshfromflorida.com. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State. Registration # CH15646

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Annual Members Show
An all media, juried exhibition

We’re delighted to feature the work of our very talented members in this annual, all media juried exhibit. Each member may enter up to 3 pieces. Cash awards.

Juror: Suzy Schultz

Entry Fees: The Non-Refundable Entry fees support the exhibition program at ArtCenter Manatee and help to keep the arts alive and vibrant in our community. If you are not currently a member, an individual membership is available for $60 for one full year.

1 piece – members $20
2 pieces – members $30
3 pieces – members $35
Diptych –members add $5
Triptych –members add $15

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We will contact you regarding your sponsorship. We appreciate your support.

Joyful Creations is an open, all media, juried exhibit

On Display: Dec 12, 2017 – Jan 5, 2018
Online entry closes: Dec 4, 2017 at 4:00
In-person receiving: Dec 9, 2017, 9:00-1:00

Opening Reception: Thursday, Dec 14, 2017, 5:00-7:00

Notify date for online entries: Dec 4, by 5:00
Pick up Date Jan6, 2018, 9:00-1:00pm

Juror: TBD

ACM Exhibition Schedule 2017-18 

Entry Fees: Entry fees are nonrefundable and support the exhibition program at ArtCenter Manatee and help to keep the arts alive and vibrant in our community. If you are not currently a member, an individual membership is available for $60 for one full year.

1 piece – members $20, non-members $30
2 pieces – members $30, non-members $50
3 pieces – members $35, non-members $65
Diptych –members add $5, non-members add $10
Triptych –members add $15, non-members add $30

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Bright & Bold Open Juried Exhibition

Exhibit: April 17 – May 11, Kellogg Gallery

Online Entry: Closes April 10, @ 4:00pm EDST
Notify: by April 12, 5:00pm EDST

In-Person Receiving: April 14, 18, 9:00-1:00

Opening Reception:
Thursday, April 18, 5:00-7:00pm
Free – All Welcome

Pick-up: May 12

Bright & Bold is an open, all media, juried exhibit. Each artist may enter up to 3 pieces. The all media work will be displayed in the Kellogg Gallery. All artists welcome. Please see the exhibition requirements

Entry Fees: Entry fees support the exhibition program at ArtCenter Manatee and help to keep the arts alive and vibrant in our community. If you are not currently a member, an individual membership is available for $60 for one full year.

1 piece – members $20
2 pieces – members $30
3 pieces – members $35

1 piece – non-members $30
2 pieces – non-members $50
3 pieces – non-members $65

Diptych – members add $5, non-members add $10,
Triptych –  members add $15, non-members add $30

Exhibition Schedule and Requirements

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Artist’s Choice Open Exhibition

Exhibit: May 23-Jun 23
Searle Gallery

Online Entry: Until May 15, 5:00pm EDST
Notify: by May 18
Receiving: May 20, 9:00-1:00pm

Opening Reception:
Thursday, May 25, 5:00-7:00pm

Pick up Jun 24, 9am – 1pm

Artist’s Choice is an open, all media, juried exhibit. Also showing will be Color Outside the Lines by Artists from the Village of the Arts and our 80th Anniversary Exhibit

Entry Fees: Entry fees support the exhibition program at ArtCenter Manatee and help to keep the arts alive and vibrant in our community. If you are not currently a member, an individual membership is available for $60 for one full year.

1 piece – members $20
2 pieces – members $30
3 pieces – members $35

1 piece – non-members $30
2 pieces – non-members $50
3 pieces – non-members $65

Diptych – members add $5, non-members add $10,
Triptych –  members add $15, non-members add $30

Exhibition Schedule and Requirements

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Pottery Studio Rules

• There is a designated area for clay for students who are in a class. Name, date and instructor must be written in marker on clay package. This is mandatory.
• While in wheel classes, long hair must be tied back & dangling jewelry removed. No open toe shoes are permitted in Raku class.
• Door leading to deck must be closed at all times.
• Please know you leave your clay at your own risk. This is a public studio and ACM is not responsible for missing clay.
• Shelves are exclusively provided for “work in progress” only. No personal storage on shelves please.
• After the class session, any clay left over is to be taken home by the student or it will be removed for recycling. Open Studio participants must take clay home with them.
• All tools, sponges, brushes, containers, etc. are to be washed and put back in designated places. This also applies for the plastic, newspapers, glazes and boards.  Keep countertops free from clutter.
• If you intend to take work in progress home you will need to bring in your own board for transport. Boards are not to leave the premises.
• Bisque and glazed pieces have to be picked up within 30 days of firing. After that, work will become the property of ACM.
• The tables on the deck are not for pottery drying or as a studio workspace.
• Please no sanding on deck & in studio. Sanding is done in raku area.
• Please check with the instructor before adding water to glazes.
• Be considerate of others sharing the studio and clean up after yourself. This includes tables, glazing area, lids on glaze buckets and wheels.
• You must sign in for open studio. You have one week of open studio time after a class ends to complete your project without a fee.
• As of January 1, 2017 only Phoenix clay provided by ACM will be permitted.
• Please be considerate of your fellow students. This is a creative space.

Thank You and Have Fun!

Something to Talk About Online Entry

Online Entry Aug 1-Aug 18, 5 pm EDST
In-person Aug 27, 9am – 1pm
Pick up Oct 1, 9am – 1pm

Juror: TBA
Prizes Awarded

Something To Talk About is an open, all media, juried exhibit

Entry Fees: Entry fees support the exhibition program at ArtCenter Manatee and help to keep the arts alive and vibrant in our community. If you are not currently a member, an individual membership is available for $60 for one full year.

1 piece – members $20, non-members $30
2 pieces – members $30, non-members $50
3 pieces – members $35, non-members $65
Diptych –members add $5, non-members add $10”
Triptych –members add $15, non-members add $30

Click Here for Exhibition Schedule & Requirements

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ArtCenter Manatee is the premier visual arts center in Manatee County. We serve a diverse community of artists from ages 4 to over 90. Our classes, over 400 a year, offer instruction for beginning to advanced students, both adult and youth. We offer classes and workshops year round in the morning, afternoon and evening, Monday through Friday. Classes and Workshops are often available on weekends.

Class proposals from high-caliber instructors are always welcome. We provide instruction in drawing, painting, watercolor, photography, pottery, sculpture, jewelry and kids art. We’ve recently added classes in mosaics and basket-weaving and are open to exploring other areas, including fashion design, stone carving, film-making/videography and glass.

If you would like to submit a proposal to ArtCenter Manatee, please complete the following form.

Thank you for your interest in ArtCenter Manatee!