Explore Anna Maria Island’s Village of the Arts

Coming to Anna Maria Island is a complete adventure for the whole family. The Island is rich in history and culture. There are also so many fun and exciting attractions and exhibits to explore! Whether you’re looking for some of the best things to do on Anna Maria Island or some Anna Maria Island restaurants, you’ll never run out of places to try. 

If you love the arts, there are plenty of art galleries to stroll through. Exploring the Village of the Arts is a must for any art lover!

The Village of the Arts is a beautiful little live-work community with colorful historical cottages that have everything you can dream of. From unique shops to small restaurants, you’ll be able to find it all here.

Here’s what you can expect when you stroll through the streets of this historic Village of the Arts! 

Art Galleries 

Created by Christine and Gordon Turner, The Baobab Tree Gallery first opened its doors on March 4, 2004. Christine and Gordon decided to put together an eclectic collection of art that hinges on several rules, the first being that they both must like the work. Second, they want their customers to enjoy the work as well. Lastly, the art must be affordable. They love any artwork that stands out from the rest. Anything that is well-designed and crafted while also colorful and whimsical can be found here. You can find art based on any form of media. 

Parisian-born artist Joan Peters opened Joan Peters Fine Art in 2002. Since the gallery opened, many art lovers who come to the Village of the Arts have said is their favorite gallery. You can find this gallery smack-dab in the center of the Village of the Arts in Bradenton, Florida. Joan Peters loves to keep her art trends up to date, so you’ll find whatever style is currently trending. You’ll never know what you’re going to find! She loves to improve her skills and constantly strives to be better as an artist. Joan Peters is known to paint on location and will brave the elements to capture the scene. You may even meet her at the many parks and beaches in Florida! 

The Dancing Crane Gallery is where to go when you want to buy art at low prices. Here, you can find the perfect gifts for the artists and art lovers in your life. You’ll find everything from the fine arts to the truly funky when you go to the Dancing Crane. This gallery holds a little something for everyone, from famous dancing birds to jewelry, prints, and more! You can even meet some of the artists that you’re buying from! 

woman enjoying art in an art gallery
Photo from Shutterstock

Dining 

Birdrock Taco Shack was founded by Chef David Shiplett, who believed that his tacos needed to be different from the rest. As an artist and chef, Chef Shiplett has created tacos the “David Shiplett style.” You’ll find tacos as unique as the Village of the Arts itself. Everything is impressive and eclectic, from the art on the walls to the art on your plate.

For a slice of Sicily, head into the Ortygia! Here, they serve authentic Sicilian, French, and Mediterranean fusion-style food. The food here has taken on an artistic spin as the Village of the Arts. There is something for everyone when you dine here with the blend of Sicilian, French, and Mediterranean food. You’ll find classic appetizers on the menu like baby eggplant, Ortygia-style sausage and peppers, and Margarita-style flatbreads. 

Unique Shops 

The Village Mystic is a small metaphysical oasis in the heart of the Village of the Arts. It’s a fitting shop for the Village! Here, you can find a creative mix of crystals, candles, jewelry, gifts, and more. The Village Mystic is Bradenton’s largest carrier of holistic and metaphysical items. They have everything from salt lamps and sage to candles and Oracle decks. If you believe in the esoteric, then this store is a must-stop on your tour of the Village. The Village Mystic even offers classes on how to pursue your spiritual path. If you take the kids, you can even go gemstone mining! The Village Mystic is home to Southwest Florida’s largest gemstone mining attraction. Mystic Mines lets you become a prospector and find everything from crystals to gemstones to shark teeth and even fossils! 

Bite Me Cookies was founded by Cindy Unzicker, a passionate cookie baker who started Bite Me Cookies as a passion project. Bite Me Cookies is a cottage industry based in Bradenton, Florida. Every cookie is freshly made and can be delivered right to your front door! While there is no storefront, Bite Me Cookies does have a van! All products must be delivered or picked up in person as a cottage business. Bite Me Cookies cannot ship anything, and that is why they proudly serve only the Tampa Bay area. The cookie van travels through Manatee and Sarasota Counties, delivering any cookie you desire! Every cookie is made with the simplest ingredients. You’ll find chocolate chunk, toffee, oatmeal raisin, coconut pecan, and more. You can even order a custom cookie jar or cookie platter when you call! 

Plan Your Visit

You can easily stroll through the shopping districts or wander through the Village of the Arts. After a long day of exploring, shopping, and enjoying the beautiful Florida weather, relax in your Anna Maria rental with a pool!

Yoga Arts is an in-person and online yoga studio that helps its customers find peace and unity in their bodies. Yoga Arts does operate on a membership format that varies based on the day. Your instructor has taken what he has learned from all of his teachers and formed a class exclusively for you. The lessons he has learned help him grow and develop better ways of practicing yoga. To Yoga Arts, yoga is a practice that supports life, and they want to share their experiences and knowledge with you. Since Yoga Arts operates on a membership format, if you’re going to continue your yoga studies with them outside of your vacation, you can! While their in-person classes are private only, they have an online yoga studio so that you can keep your practice going no matter where you are! Yoga Arts aims to help you feel more aligned by strengthening, balancing, and making you more flexible and healthier.

Where to Stay When looking for a Bradenton vacation rental, you deserve to stay in the most luxurious option. With Mike Norman Realty, you’ll be staying in only the best. These Bradenton rentals are perfect for when you want to go out and explore the area or head to nearby Anna Maria Island and the city of Bradenton Beach. You’re minutes away from all of the fantastic sites and attractions! You can soak the day away while relaxing. You get the luxuries of your tropical paradise right in your home-away-from-home!