The stunning majesty of Florida’s wildlife, lands and culture is on display in a new show at Winter Garden’s SOBO Art Gallery.
“Florida Roots: Land, Light & Life” showcases the work of nearly 70 artists painting, drawing and photographing in the Sunshine State. The subject matter ranges from alligators and native birds to palm trees, sunsets and recognizable landmarks like the Citrus Tower.
“This show is about what inspires Florida. It’s the land, light, life, culture, history, wildlife and nature,” said Madison Calnan, the gallery’s operations coordinator. “It’s definitely a favorite. We’ve had a lot of love for it so far. It’s really great for our gallery and for these wonderful local artists.”
Some of the professional working artists who have work in the show include Kathie Camara, Peter Pettegrew, Tom Sadler, Nathan Leemis, Bonnie Shapiro, Cindy Vener, Lisa Roberts, Lucas Ksenhuk and Linda Hansee. The juried show highlights a mix of full-time artists and talented hobbyists, plus a painting by Roy McLendon, one of the original Florida Highwaymen.
While most of the exhibition focuses on paintings, visitors can also find drawings, sculpture, mixed media works and photography. Some works pay homage to Central Florida’s past, including the citrus industry. One particularly striking work shows a close-up shot of a bobcat by photographer Jon Burket.
“Florida Roots: Land, Light & Life” showcases the work of nearly 70 artists painting, drawing and photographing the Sunshine State, including photographer Jon Burket at the SOBO Art Gallery in Winter Garden. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“Florida Roots: Land, Light & Life” showcases the work of nearly 70 artists painting, drawing and photographing the Sunshine State, including photographer Jon Burket at the SOBO Art Gallery in Winter Garden. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Due to the popular theme, this show had nearly double the number of submissions.
In SOBO Art Gallery’s other gallery space and teaching studio, visitors can see “Illuminations and Shadow,” a curated exhibition highlighting the play of light and darkness in works by more than a dozen artists.
The art space rotates through exhibition themes with submissions open to the public at the beginning of every other month. In early September, the call for artists opens for the “Abstract Conversations” exhibit that opens Oct. 1.
“Florida Roots: Land, Light & Life” showcases the work of nearly 70 artists painting, drawing and photographing the Sunshine State at the SOBO Art Gallery in Winter Garden. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“We like to make art accessible to the community. We teach free classes on Tuesdays to members of the Winter Garden Art Association,” Calnan said. “We do anything to help local artists, local creators and local people around the Orlando area.”
“Florida Life: Land, Light & Life” is on display through Sept. 26 at 127 S. Boyd St. in Winter Garden. The gallery is open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit wgart.org.
Other August art events in Central Florida
Casselberry Arts Center: “Experience Contemporary 2026: A Wrench in the Gears” highlights Florida artists Justin Quaid Grubb, Cynthia Mason, Noelle Mason, Hilary White and Matthew Wicks. These creators “disrupt the comfort we derive from systems of communication, technology, knowledge and understanding.” The show opens with a reception from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 22 at Casselberry Arts Center, 137 Quail Pond Circle in Casselberry. More information: eventbrite.com
Orlando Museum of Art: Visitors can see the work of a dozen Florida-based artists during the 12th annual Florida Prize in Contemporary Art exhibition. The show wraps up on Aug. 23. OMA is also showing “USA 250: 250 Years on the Road to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” with work from the museum’s collection envisioned as a road trip across the country. The museum, at 2416 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando, offers free admission and extended hours on Aug. 20. More information: omart.org
Rollins Museum of Art: “The Captivating Unknown: Charting Our Relationship with the Cosmos” highlights the art of astronomy and wraps up on Aug. 30. “Being Outdoors: Recreation in the American Imagination” opened earlier this summer and remains on display through the end of this year, showcasing connections between outdoor recreation and American identity. “The House That Freedoms Built” explores the history of colonialism in the Caribbean through the work of La Vaughn Belle, who constructed white houses on display in an installation on Mills Lawn. More information: rollins.edu
The Art & History Museums of Maitland: “US” draws inspiration from the center’s founder, André Smith, and his 1939 essay, “An Insanitorium of Art.” The exhibition brings together works by six Bok Fellows, artists who spent their winters working at the Center from the 1930s and 40s, alongside selections by Smith himself. More information: artandhistory.org
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