Anna Maria Island

Spring and Winter Art Festivals

Anna Maria Island Arts League...

Anna Maria Island is rich in arts and culture and the Anna Maria Island Art League is part of that cultural heritage.

The Anna Maria Island Art League was founded in 1989 by a group of artists and art lovers with a common desire to bring art to the island community.

In June 1993, the Anna Maria Island Art League opened the island's first art center at 5312 Holmes Boulevard in Holmes Beach. The art center includes a large exhibit/ classroom, membership gallery/conference room, photo lab, art library and picnic grounds.

The Art League of Anna Maria Island also offers a broad range of classes at the center, and a scholarship program for children and adults.

New exhibits are hung every month, starting in October, and exhibits feature members, faculty, students and/or regional artists. Exhibit artwork is original and most is available for sale by the artists.

Opening receptions are on Friday evening, with the evening of the exhibit from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. These events are always open and free to the public.

Studio of the Arts - Painting, Poetry, Music, Literature and More!

Studio at Gulf and Pine:
Anna Maria Island's Premiere Cultural Facility...

Anna Maria Island communities are rich in culture and the arts, so it only be fitting to find the likes of such a fine and dedicated studio of the arts...

The Studio at Gulf and Pine in the City of Anna Maria.

The Studio at Gulf and Pine, truly offers an eclectic array of exhibits, instructional classes, USF lectures and discussion groups (by reservation only), and serves as a salon where artists and art aficionados interact.

The Studio at Gulf and Pine, operated by Rhea Chiles, former First Lady of Florida, truly is... Anna Maria Island's premier cultural facility.

Equipped with a theater film projection room, and spanning nearly 4,000 square feet, 'The Studio' welcomes artists of all type... poets, musicians, performers and writers... to exhibit their talents and exchange ideas.

"The Studio at Gulf and Pine is host to fine art exhibitions, drama workshops, meetings, lectures, music and literary events, and is available for catered events."

Discounts on Segway Rentals

Tour Anna Maria Island by Segway...

The Segway PT is a two-wheeled, self-balancing electric personal vehicle.

They are inexpensive to operate, a blast to ride and they are about as 'green' as you can get.

Users lean forward to go forward, lean back to go backward, and turn by leaning it left or right.

Segway PTs are driven by electric motors at up to 12.5 miles per hour.

The good news is you can now rent a Segway from Segs by the Sea, right here on Anna Maria Island. The really good news is that you can receive a discount when you do.

All you have to do is go to Sun Saver Coupons and print out your Segway rental discount coupon.

Then the savings are yours!

Segways are Anna Maria Islands favorite eco-friendly way to play!

Call (941) 209-5970 to reach Segs by the Sea, or visit their website at www.segsbythesea.com.

Segs by the Sea offer SCENIC TOURS and CUSTOM RENTALS of the popular and innovative SEGWAY Personal Transporter (PT). 

The SEGWAY PT is a self-balancing personal transportation device that enables you to go farther in your exploration of beautiful Anna Maria Island, do more together as a family, and experience your vacation in a whole new way.

Free Aerial Beach Portraits

Get a Free 11 X 14 Photograph with Aerial Photo Service...

 Enjoying your Anna Maria Island vacation to the fullest and want something extra special to take home with you?

Well, how about an aerial beach portrait of you self, your family and friends?

There is nothing like sending back home an aerial beach portrait post card. Everyone will be so jealous of you and your guests enjoying your tropical island vacation... and what a souvenir!

Right now you can get a FREE 11 X 14 Print with any aerial photo service.

All you have to do is visit Sun Saver Coupons and print out your very own FREE 11 X 14 aerial photo coupon.

Call Custom Aerial Photos today and capture your favorite Anna Maria Island sites and memories from the air.

Custom Aerial Photos also specializes in custom aerial imaging, and for you and that special someone... they do aerial engagement and aerial wedding photos!

Call (941) 773-9834 today.

Or visit the Custom Aerial Photos website at,  www.CustomAerialImaging.com.

A Trip Through Historic Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island Historical Society...

With the help of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, you can take a trip back in history.

The Anna Maria Island Historical Society's [AMIHS] beautifully restored complex interprets the Island's history through its museum, City Jail, Belle Haven Cottage and the Mangrove Walk's indigenous garden.

The Anna Maria Island Historical Society was formed in 1990 by Anna Maria residents Pat Copeland and Carolyne Norwood, both reporters for the Islander newspaper.

Pat and Carolyne knew something must be done to preserve Island artifacts, which were being lost.

The non-profit, educational organization was incorporated in 1991.

Learn more about the Belle Haven Cottage Garden and the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Museum Complex.

With all there is to see and do on beautiful Anna Maria Island, the Historical Society Museum is one you just don't want to miss!

Learn more about the Belle Haven Cottage Garden and the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Museum Complex.

With all there is to see and do on beautiful Anna Maria Island, the Historical Society Museum is one you just don't want to miss!

Parasailing Videos

Wanna Parasail Anna Maria Island?

Who wouldn't.

You can see the beauty of Anna Maria Island from 500 feet in the sky.

Gently floating high above the clear, blue water of the Gulf of Mexico, you'll see dolphins, turtles, rays, fish and stunning views of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and Lido Key.

Parasailing with Fun and Sun Parasail is one of the most exciting thing you can do while on beautiful Anna Maria Island, and you can do it all year!

We did a feature post on Fun and Sun Parasail earlier this month and offered a $10 Parasailing Discount through Fun Saver Coupons, but we forgot to mention the Parasailing videos!

That's right. You can go to the Fun and Sun Parasailing website and right on their home page they have several cool parasailing videos.

Thanks, and we'll see you in the skies above Anna Maria.

Enjoy the parasailing vids ;-)

Artists Support Local Arts Education Programs

The Artists' Guild Gallery
and Artists' Guild of Anna Maria Island...

The Artists' Guild Gallery is a unique art gallery featuring the work of local artists who are members of the Artists' Guild of Anna Maria Island, the gallery host.

These artists collectively show, sell and run the non-profit gallery, and there will always be one of these artists to welcome you and answer any questions about art work or the artists.

The Artists' Guild Gallery feature original paintings in a variety of media including watercolor, oils, pastels and acrylic. The gallery also features photography, mixed media, pottery, jewelry and wood carvings.

If you're looking for just that 'right piece of art, special gift or vacation souvenir', then the Artists Guild Gallery is the place. They have special cards, available only there, created by their own exclusive member artists, as well as prints of local landscapes and landmarks, and Florida's unique flora and fauna.

A True Artist's Cooperative

Island Gallery West...

In 1989 the idea of an art center on Anna Maria Island was just a dream of one man, James Pay. That dream evolved to become Island Gallery West which opened in Holmes Beach the following year.

Today, a rich variety of art by talented local artists awaits the art lover at Island Gallery West.

The works of nearly 30 local artists, artisans and craftspeople are on display. Stop in and take home some local art as a souvenir of our lovely island.

The gallery is staffed six days a week by member artists who welcome the opportunity to discuss their art with you. Stop by for a pleasant, relaxing visit and enjoy the many fine works of art on display in two exhibit areas.

You’ll discover all the variety and visual stimulation of an art festival in a pleasant gallery setting.

Hours are Monday-Saturday 10-5.

Free Art Demonstrations on Saturdays.
Call 941-778-6648 to check schedule.

Everyone welcome.

Sand Unification Ceremony

Enjoy an Authentic Wedding Sand Ceremony as Performed on the Beaches of Anna Maria Island...

So Your Getting Married on one of the Sugar White Sand Beaches of Anna Maria Island.... So Why Not Enjoy an Authentic Wedding Sand Ceremony!

There is no better way to celebrate love than a Gulf Coast Beach Wedding on Anna Maria Island.

However, we all know that candles and wind don’t mix.

So why not substitute a Sand Unification Ceremony for the more popular tradition of the Unity Candle Ceremony.

Besides, an Anna Maria Island Style Wedding Sand Ceremony adds a 'Gulf Coast' twist to the traditional Unity Candle Tradition.

Wedding Information

Getting Married Anna Maria Island Style...

Are you planning a Florida Wedding?

Would you and your lover like to be married on the beach, right on the Gulf of Mexico?

If so, may we suggest you get married on beautiful Anna Maria Island.

The following 'wedding information' and accompanying links was previously published back in October 2009. We are republishing it today due to the amount of wedding related traffic we've been receiving of late, and of course... in anticipation of the up coming Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival.

Read Getting Married on Anna Maria Island.

Get your questions answered with our Anna Maria Island Wedding FAQ.

If so, we have lots of wedding information to help you plan your wedding in paradise. First off, Florida requires a license to legalize a Marriage.

Go to Wedding Permits Required on Anna Maria Island.

What is the Best Time of Year to Get Married on Anna Maria Island?

As unique as the love you share, a beach wedding offers memories that last a lifetime, and there is no more ideal a destination to be married on the beach than Anna Maria Island.