MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Last year’s hurricanes flooded St. Armands Circle in Sarasota. The road to recovery for the community was lengthy.
Some key events that help local businesses and vendors had to be canceled — but back this weekend is the St. Armands Circle Fall Fine Art Festival.
When it comes to painting, Victoria Cooley said it’s all about perspective.
“I want them to feel calm, happy and peaceful,” she said.
Those positive feelings are what she wants someone who purchases one of her pieces to experience.
“You know, I take it seriously that they’re living with my art, and it’s a part of their house,” Cooley said. “So I want people to get a break from things that make them unhappy.”
Painting is her income, and while her husband does receive Social Security checks, she said she relies heavily on festivals to make money.
“We usually do 28 shows per year,” she said.
When last year’s storms forced the cancellation of the St. Armands Fall Fine Art Festival, Cooley was worried. It’s typically one of her biggest shows. Hurricane Helene’s storm surge led to both physical damage and financial concern.
“It was a little bit of a scare,” she said. “Well, because it’s back open, I’m hoping for a lot of foot traffic. I’m most excited about just being here on St. Armands, and the stores are back open.”
The entertainment district has now rebounded, but St. Armands Circle Association Executive Director Rachel Burns said the process has been difficult.
“Last year was devastating for the community,” Burns said. “We had water intrusion into every merchant. It’s something that has never happened in the 100-year history of St. Armands Circle. And it means that not only did merchants lose what they had in stock, they had to rebuild, replace, and we had to wait then for people to want to come back to the area.”
This weekend’s festival provides an opportunity to bring more people back to St. Armands Circle.
“I’ve got the vintage VW bus, and so far, the people that have seen it are just loving it because it’s reminiscent of a time that they remember — when things were a little happier and mellower,” she said.
Cooley is on a mission to share her art, hoping to give people a different perspective and leave them with a smile.
The Fall Fine Art Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, Saturday and Sunday.
Julia Hazel
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