Galleries coordinate exhibits of quarantine art

Four area art galleries are teaming up to showcase the quarantine work of local artists during a month-long series of events called “A Renaissance Art Revival.” 

The run begins Tuesday and runs through May 29. Organizer Tina Corbett said there’s a significance to the name. 

“Everybody is tired of COVID,” she said in a phone interview. “You know, the Renaissance did happen after the plague. So this is our Renaissance.”

The four participating galleries are in Melrose, High Springs and Gainesville. Corbett, one of the owners, said the galleries have invited a wide range of local artists to take part in the exhibits. 

“We asked artists to bring whatever they produced during the quarantine,” Corbett said. 

Each of the events will implement COVID-19 safety measures, including masks and social distancing. Food will be served individually packaged.

Corbett said the gallery owners regularly interact and support each other, but this endeavor is the first of its kind. 

“We’ve never done a collaborative effort like this,” she said. “The exhibits overlap all month, but the main event art receptions are coordinated not to conflict.”

Here’s the full schedule: 

Melrose Bay Art Gallery

Open Air Arts Celebration: May 1-30

Art Walk Reception: 6-9 p.m. Friday, May 7

Gallery Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun.

103 State Road 26, Melrose, FL 32666 

(352) 475-3866, Website: www.melrosebayartgallery.com

Artisans’ Guild Gallery

Celebrating Mother’s Day Outdoor Art Market: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., May 8

Gallery Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sun.-Sat.

224 NW 2nd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601

(352) 378-1383, Website: www.artisansguildgallery.com

Lanza Gallery & Art Supplies

Santa Fe Plein Air Art Exhibit: May 1-29

All Day Art Reception: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., May 15

Gallery Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., noon-6 p.m. Sat.

22645 W US Hwy 27, High Springs FL 32643

(352) 474-1049, Website: www.lanzagallery.com

Gainesville Fine Arts Association Gallery

Desire Exhibit: April 27-May 22

UMOJA Exhibit: May 23-June 19 

Art Walk Reception: 6-9 p.m., Friday, May 28

Gallery Hours: 3:30-7:30 p.m., Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.

1314 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32801

(352) 328-5027, Website: www.gainesvillefinearts.org

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect amended hours for Melrose Bay Art Gallery.