- May 9, 2026
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Whether gently touching intricate glass sculptures of flowing water—with the artist's permission—or crafting a custom anniversary gift from local jewelers, visitors to last weekend's St. Armands Circle Art Festival found a multitude of ways to interact with their favorite artists.
The festival, which is free to attend, took place Saturday and Sunday, welcoming more than 200 exhibitors.
Show director Elaine Laurent labeled the festival one of the best she’s organized in a long time.
She said while last November’s festival was a valuable opportunity for artists to gain some community support in the immediate aftermath of the recent hurricanes, this weekend’s festival seemed to mark a full return to force, with attendance high on both Saturday and Sunday.
Attendees had one word for her about this year's offerings: amazing.
"They have come up and said what an amazing show this is, and they are so happy to have it back and see the Circle alive again," she said.
Laurent noted how this long-running festival has provided regular opportunities for patrons to see and support their favorite artists, as well as surrounding businesses. Visitors milled about the Circle, which was completely packed with exhibits set up gallery style.
About 15 percent of those artists were “hyperlocal,” based in Sarasota or close proximity, and about 50% were based in Florida. But the festival was also a venue for international and up-and-coming artists.
"It gives a nice variety," she added. "Different regions bring different ideas and different styles."
The vibrant animal ceramic sculptures of Scott Causey immediately greeted people entering the festival grounds from the John Ringling Causeway.
The artist is a graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design, and he has been showing his work at this particular festival for many years.
Causey said he most enjoys getting to directly interact with viewers, giving him an opportunity to explain how he carefully dissects his sculptures, allowing him more freedom to create pieces with otherwise adversely interactive glazes.
“I've been working in clay since I was just out of diapers," he said. "My family encouraged me, and we were able to get it started."
He continued, "Sarasota has an amazing, amazing art community."
No matter what challenges may come, Causey said he always makes it a priority to come to the festival and share his appreciation for the support of that community.
Other artists made the trip to St. Armands Circle from much further away, including Arizona-based photographer Eugene Lagana. He combines the technical skills of high-quality macrophotography with the whimsy of his comical figurine-based scenes.
In one piece, miniature painters on scaffolding appear to be creating the portrait of Benjamin Franklin. In another, stormtroopers collaborate to pour a cup of coffee from a french press.
"I try to incorporate comedy and surrealism," he said.
Lagana said festivals such as this provide essential support to up-and-coming artists. He offered some practical advice to photographers just starting to venture into sharing their art.
He encouraged photographers to physically print a favorite photo and hang it on a wall to revisit in three months, seeing if it is worth sharing.
"Get out there and get into the shows," he added.
He said he especially appreciates events where he gets to interact directly with viewers considering his work is very story driven, and sometimes they inject stories he never even anticipated.
A New Mexico-based sculptor who goes by Guilloume said this show was particularly meaningful to him considering he celebrates his 50th year of being a professional artist.
He dedicates much of his work to his family, particularly his wife, and seeks to depict universal human experiences, electing to leave his figures faceless and open to interpretation.
Some attendees took full advantage of having artists in attendance at the show.
Kim and J.T. Kellock worked with jeweler Alexis Barbeau to craft a custom piece to commemorate their 30th anniversary together. Kim said they appreciated having opportunities to directly support artists.
Organizers of this festival host art and craft events throughout the Sarasota area. For those looking to keep up with this year’s art and craft events, visit artfestival.com.
