Punta Gorda, a city filled with natural attractions, has an equally impressive art culture. In many places, art and nature blend seamlessly.
Here are my favorite art spots!
I was hosted, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Visual Arts Center
Why go: The Center includes three free galleries, showcasing art created by local artists. The displays include jewelry, pottery and paintings. They also offer classes.
What not to miss: Don’t miss the mosaic benches and garden sculpture outside.
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History Park & Artisan Village
Why go: Every Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm, local artisans create fiber art, woodworking, glassware, and pottery at the Historic Village. Other craft persons set up tents at the local farmer’s market and sell their creations.
While there, I got to see Punta Gorda’s oldest buildings including the Trabue Land Sales Office, the Cigar Worker’s Cottage, the Price House, and the Quednau-Hindman House. The Trabue Land Office, the town’s oldest building, dates back to when Punta Gorda was called Trabue.
What not to miss: Besides the art, you’ll find locally grown produce, fresh eggs, local honey, artisan bread, and more. Don’t miss the butterfly garden and the community garden on the property.
Downtown Murals
Why go: The Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society has counted 32 official murals in downtown Punta Gorda, also known as “Mural Town”.
One of my favourite spots is Laishley Park Municipal Marina Boat Ramp, where Keith Goodson painted a new mural after Hurricane Charley destroyed the original in 2004.
What not to miss: End of the Line is a two-part mural. The mural above, designed from historic photos, is on the Southside and there’s another on the East side. This one depicts Henry Plant, the man who built railroads on the west coast of Florida with his Florida Southern Railroad steam locomotive number 11.
The other mural shows Plant with the town founder, Isaac Trabue. Legend says the two men were enemies, so the other mural shows both men frowning at one another across the oranges, pineapple, cattle and fish that were shipped on Plant’s trains.
Ponce de Leon Park
Why go: The park has two statues of Ponce de Leon. The one pictured above is near a historical marker commemorating “The first white man dies in America.” It tells of the battle between Ponce de Leon’s men and Calusa Indians. Although Ponce de Leon was fatally wounded and later died in Cuba, one of his men died here. The other Ponce de Leon statue rests in the stone grotto at the park amphitheater.
What not to miss: The beachfront park overlooking Charlotte Harbor, has a boat ramp, fishing piers, mangrove boardwalk, playground, and picnic pavilion—perfect for swimming and watching sunsets. Visit the Peace River Wildlife Center located here, which rehabilitates injured and orphaned native Florida wildlife and welcomes visitors.
Fishermen’s Village
Why go: Fishermen’s Village is the heart of Punta Gorda. Dragonfly Gallery and Coastal Wonders are all about art that is pure Florida. Many of the other shops also include art items.
There is a two-story mural called School Marms on the Bay. The lower section shows three ladies in 19th-century dresses rowing across Charlotte Harbor. The upper section shows the historic Punta Gorda Hotel. Before Punta Gorda and neighboring Charlotte Harbor Town were connected by a bridge, people traveled back and forth across the harbor by boat.
What not to miss: Each year Fisherman’s Village hosts festivals with music and art. “Arts in August” features many of the Visual artists. At the annual “TikiFest,” artists paint coconuts and carve tiki. There’s great dining at either Harpoon Harry’s or The Captain’s Table.
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens
Why go: One of the largest botanical and sculpture gardens in Florida and situated on the banks of the Peace River, this 30-acre garden beautifully blends art and nature.
Yellow Andy by Jack Dowd is one of my favorites. I’m an Andy Warhol fan. Dowd did a series of 20 Andy Warhol figures on the anniversary of Warhol’s death.
What not to miss: The garden has a butterfly house filled with nature’s art and a boardwalk to a nature walk behind the gardens.
Where I Stayed: The Wyvern Hotel
What’s Notable:
- Spacious rooms
- Two excellent restaurants:
- Perch 360 on the rooftop offers brunch with stunning views
- 88 Keys Florida Restaurant, near the lobby, serves casual breakfast and dinner
- Art everywhere
The Wyvern Hotel partners with the Visual Art Center to rotate works by local artists throughout the hotel. Each piece is available for purchase. When I visited, the lobby had several beautiful paintings of lighthouses, including the St. Augustine Lighthouse (one on left).
Read More
- Not-to-be-Missed Things to Do in Punta Gorda Florida and Nearby
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