{"id":371242,"date":"2026-08-14T10:38:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T10:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/371242\/"},"modified":"2026-08-14T10:38:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T10:38:09","slug":"florida-roots-in-winter-garden-highlights-sunshine-state-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/371242\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Florida Roots’ in Winter Garden highlights Sunshine State art"},"content":{"rendered":"

The stunning majesty of Florida\u2019s wildlife, lands and culture is on display in a new show at Winter Garden\u2019s SOBO Art Gallery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cFlorida Roots: Land, Light & Life<\/a>\u201d 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis show is about what inspires Florida. It\u2019s the land, light, life, culture, history, wildlife and nature,\u201d said Madison Calnan, the gallery\u2019s operations coordinator. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely a favorite. We\u2019ve had a lot of love for it so far. It\u2019s really great for our gallery and for these wonderful local artists.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of the professional working artists who have work in the show include Kathie Camara<\/a>, Peter Pettegrew<\/a>, Tom Sadler<\/a>, Nathan Leemis<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s past, including the citrus industry. One particularly striking work shows a close-up shot of a bobcat by photographer Jon Burket<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\""Florida“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)
\n\u201cFlorida Roots: Land, Light & Life\u201d 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)<\/p>\n

Due to the popular theme, this show had nearly double the number of submissions.<\/p>\n

In SOBO Art Gallery\u2019s other gallery space and teaching studio, visitors can see \u201cIlluminations and Shadow,\u201d a curated exhibition highlighting the play of light and darkness in works by more than a dozen artists.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cAbstract Conversations\u201d exhibit that opens Oct. 1.<\/p>\n

\""Florida“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)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe like to make art accessible to the community. We teach free classes on Tuesdays to members of the Winter Garden Art Association,\u201d Calnan said. \u201cWe do anything to help local artists, local creators and local people around the Orlando area.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFlorida Life: Land, Light & Life\u201d 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Other August art events in Central Florida<\/p>\n

Casselberry Arts Center:\u00a0\u201cExperience Contemporary 2026: A Wrench in the Gears\u201d highlights Florida artists Justin Quaid Grubb, Cynthia Mason, Noelle Mason, Hilary White and Matthew Wicks. These creators \u201cdisrupt the comfort we derive from systems of communication, technology, knowledge and understanding.\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n

Orlando Museum of Art:\u00a0Visitors 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 \u201cUSA 250: 250 Years on the Road to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness\u201d with work from the museum\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n

Rollins Museum of Art:\u00a0\u201cThe Captivating Unknown: Charting Our Relationship with the Cosmos\u201d highlights the art of astronomy and wraps up on Aug. 30. \u201cBeing Outdoors: Recreation in the American Imagination\u201d opened earlier this summer and remains on display through the end of this year, showcasing connections between outdoor recreation and American identity. \u201cThe House That Freedoms Built\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Art & History Museums of Maitland:\u00a0\u201cUS\u201d draws inspiration from the center\u2019s founder, Andr\u00e9 Smith, and his 1939 essay, \u201cAn Insanitorium of Art.\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n

Find me\u00a0@PConnPie on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or send me an email:\u00a0pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at\u00a0orlandosentinel.com\/newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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