Punta Gorda, FL
The city of Punta Gorda is a historic small town located in Southwest Florida on the banks of the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, and is readily accessible to the Gulf of Mexico. Charlotte Harbor offers world-class boating, fishing, and sailing in one of SAIL Magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail.”
It is a paradise for inspiring artists, golfers and nature lovers. Visitors to Punta Gorda will find a wonderful selection of art galleries, murals & retail shops in downtown area. The third Thursday of the month shops downtown are open late for gallery walk, there is a charming trolley that will transport riders along the streets for a feast of wine, music and of course, art.
Art Supply Stores
You will be inspired once you visit Punta Gorda, and everything you need to get started you will find here.
John’s Pennywise Book & Art Supplies – Owner John & Nancy McGrath opened 5 years ago and have a good reputation for always trying to be helpful with art supplies or a good book to read.
Punta Gorda Art Supply – Art supply store located in downtown. Owner Susan Greco also offers classes.
Galleries
Visual Arts Center
The Visual Arts Center (also known as the Charlotte County Art Guild) has been in operation since 1961 and has the largest non-profit exhibition space for local artwork in the area. The Visual Arts Center also provides a great selection of top notch classes & workshops year round. The Visual Art Center is managed by an executive director and a 13-member Board of Directors and staffed by volunteers.
The Art Center also has a gift shop stocked with original works from jewelry and textiles to glass and paintings. The library has over 2,000 books & magazines for the members use. Many competitions and art related festivals are held thru out the year. One such event is the National Arts Exhibit and is held every 2 years.
Sea Grape Gallery
Sea Grape is a 25 member co-operative gallery that has been in business in Punta Gorda for 17 years. The gallery offers original award winning artwork in acrylic, oil, pastel, watercolor, fiber art, basketry, fused and stained glass, jewelry, pottery and woodworking. Sea Grape holds artist demonstrations and rotates its exhibiting works on a monthly basis, and is one of the highlights of Gallery Walk.
Red Hat Studio
Run by Liz Hutchinson, Red Hat Studio is a popular location for learning, be sure to step into the patio garden – what a treat!
Presseller Gallery & Delicatessen
Serves as a restaurant on one side and a fine art gallery on the other side. Always a popular stop to make at gallery walk exhibits traditional and digital media.
Vicki Glynn Gallery & Framing
Vicki Glynn, a well known artist in the area runs a gallery that features her own work along with several other artists, currently two such artists being featured are Brenda Berdnik & Kellmis Fernandez. Vicki also does framing.
Gallery Joe Mathis
One of the newest galleries to open in Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda Historical Mural Society
Artistic, historical and educational murals throughout the downtown district of Punta Gorda.
Art Festivals
Peace River National Art Festival
Some exciting things are happening in Punta Gorda, The Visual Arts Center invitational outdoor show will bring national touring artist to the area. The Peace River National Art Festival debuts on March 17 & 18, 2007 at Gilchrist Park, hours 10-5. For more information you can contact the Visual Arts Center 941-639-8810 or email .
Fine Arts Festival
Sponsored by the Visual Arts Center, is an annual event and revolves around a different theme each fall, 2006 focus was Paul Gauguin.
Art Train
Second visit to Charlotte Harbor, Art Train pulls in to a site just east of Punta Gorda in February 2007, the nationally touring exhibit occupies four train cars, converting them into a museum on wheels. Arts & Humanities Council of Charlotte County is sponsoring the local stop.
Attractions
Fisherman’s Village
Waterfront mall & marina, you will find a multitude of exclusive boutiques and shops, & dining. Full service marina with cruise boats, fishing boats, rental speed boats, jet skis. Also are home to the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce and the most beautiful sunsets in Florida!
A.C. Freeman House
Museum and Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce to reopen Jan 07 recently relocated to Retta Esplanade location.
The Military Heritage & Aviation Museum, Inc.
The only military/aviation museum on the Gulf Coast.
Blanchard House Museum of African-American History & Culture
Listed On Florida Black Heritage Trail.
Babcock Wilderness Ranch
A great place to experience nature & the thrill of meeting panthers, Florida cracker cattle, birds, and dozens of wild alligators face to face, then this tour is a must. Perhaps you may be lucky to catch a glimpse of a white tailed deer or some of the many wild turkeys along the tour route.
