Herrig Center for the ARTS, formerly ArtCenter Manatee, announces two new exhibitions
Two new exhibitions Opening April 21st and running through May 17th, 2026, will be held at the newly opened Herrig Center for the ARTS, formerly known as ArtCenter Manatee, in Bradenton, Florida. An opening reception will be held on May 23rd from 5 pm – 7 pm. Free and open to the public.
American Watercolor Society 158th Traveling International Exhibition.
The American Watercolor Society began as a group of eleven painters who gathered in New York City in 1866 and began to hold exhibitions of their work. Their annual exhibitions have continued from that day. The annual juried exhibition of the AWS is open to all artists worldwide. The traveling exhibition features 40 of the original 160+ exhibitors and travels to three to six locations per year, and is the only place to see this exhibition in Florida.
A 15 Year Journey In Watercolor, Kathy Simon-McDonald, Curated Exhibition.
After retiring from 35 years of teaching special education at the middle school level, Simon McDonald started attending local watercolor workshops in 2011 and was encouraged to compete. Since that time, her work has been juried into Splash 21, 22, and 26-The Best of Watercolor, the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and the 14th National Biennial Art Shows held in Punta Gorda, Florida, National Watercolor Society International Show, San Diego Watercolor Society International Show, Annual Signature American International Watermedia Exhibition, and has received awards in Southern Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, Watercolor Society of Houston International Show, Georgia Watercolor Society International Show, Philadelphia Watercolor Society International Works on Paper, Louisiana Watercolor Society International Show, International Watercolor Society, and the American Watercolor Society International Show. Some of her awards include the Susan Lattner Lloyd Gold Award for best in show in the Florida Watercolor Society 2015 annual show and the Winslow Homer Award in 2025, 2019 American Watercolor Society Best-in-Show Award, 2020 Transparent Watercolor Society of America Dorothy Dreihaus Mellin Watercolor Award, and the International Works on Paper (Philadelphia Watercolor Society) vonDuyke Award for Transparent Watercolor in addition to over 100 awards in local, regional, national and international juried competitions. She has earned signature or master signature status in ten watercolor societies. Her work has also been featured several times in ‘Watercolor Artist’ and ‘The Art of Watercolour’ magazines.
| Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit and experience both the extraordinary artwork and the newly transformed Herrig Center for the ARTS. For more information, including exhibition hours and details, visit www.herrigcenter.org or contact Angie Lukas. About Herrig Center for the ARTS (Formerly ArtCenter Manatee) Located in the heart of Bradenton’s vibrant Avenue of the Arts, the Herrig Center for the ARTS stands as the region’s premier destination for visual arts, creative education, and cultural connection. Following an ambitious 18-month transformation, the newly reimagined center features nine state-of-the-art classrooms, three expansive gallery spaces, and expanded programming designed to inspire artists and art lovers of all ages. With a dynamic blend of tradition and innovation, the Herrig Center showcases rotating exhibitions, award-winning architectural design, an expanded LiveArtfully Artisan Boutique, and a growing slate of classes and workshops in painting, ceramics, jewelry design, glasswork, and more. Recognized even before its completion with pre-construction design awards, the Herrig Center places visual arts at the forefront of the Bradenton experience—offering a space where creativity flourishes, community gathers, and art is celebrated. Visit us at 888 3rd Ave W., Bradenton, FL 34205 www.herrigcenter.org | 941-746-2862 Hours: Mon – Sat: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed Sunday ### |