AmericanStyle Magazine announced the Top 25 Cities for Art (ranked by population into three categories of small, mid-sized and large). Sarasota skyrocketed to first place on the list, and Bradenton claiming the #2 spot.
In the small cities category, which includes all cities with populations less than 100,000, Sarasota was ranked #5 for the past two years. Bradenton was ranked at #10 in 2011.
This year Sarasota ascended to first place, bumping out two-time winner Asheville, N.C. Bradenton was second, up from No. 10 last year, and St. Petersburg again took the No. 1 spot for mid-size cities.
Sarasota beat Bradenton out for the top spot and special mention was given to The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art’s Art after 5 series.
In Bradenton the AmericanStyle magazine focused on the Village of the Arts . The magazine pointed out the village’s numerous art galleries, studios and restaurants.
Bradenton residents, however, know the City’s arts scene spreads beyond the village. There’s ArtCenter Manatee, located near the Promenade and Riverwalk which, when completed, will be loaded with public art and cultural features. There’s also public art displays popping up around downtown, including murals and an “artsy” appearance to the new downtown bus transfer station being built on 13th Avenue.