Parents around the region are sending their children away to summer camps—and here on Florida’s Cultural Coast—that typically means art related camps. But adults looking to tap into their own creative side need not feel left out. The Sarasota area has a myriad of offerings for those looking to dip a paintbrush, spin a pottery wheel or even work with glass. Check out these summer offerings, white hot from the kiln and fresh from the press. Herrig Center for the Arts Founded in 1937, the arts institution expanded in 2026 and now boasts a multi-million dollar facility that includes three galleries that change monthly, nine classrooms that welcome over 3,000 students each year and an expansive art library. Inside those nine classrooms are a wide variety of classes offered to potential students each summer in just about every discipline under the sun. Painting, pottery/sculpture, drawing, jewelry making, silver smithing and even glasswork are available for either seasoned students or first timers to try out. Carla Nierman, CEO of the Herrig Center, says that most who start the classes are surprised by the relatively easy entry point. “Most adults do not think that they’re going to be any good at it,” attests Nierman. “It surprises the heck out of them that most people really just don’t come out of the womb like Mozart. There’s this sense of accomplishment. The other thing that is a big surprise is the community that people find—they make friends, develop new relationships and love being around other like-minded people.”  Venice Art Center Throughout the year, over 650 classes are offered for children, teens and adults—and this summer, the action doesn’t slow down. The offerings for adults and teens from May through August are myriad, running the gamut from printmaking to photography and digital art, glasswork to ceramics and everything in between. Check out some of instructor Lorraine Mushacke’s classes in glasswork such as Nature Scapes in Glass or Hearts of Glass, where students use frit, stringers or scrap glass to make decorations in a heart mold. “Every class is a little different,” says CEO Mary Moscatelli. “You could take a one-day class, a two-day class or a six-week series class. There is art going on in so many different ways that it will work for pretty much everybody.” Miano Academy of Art At the Miano Academy of Art, the techniques of classical realism live on. The nonprofit, founded in 2007, is a rarity not just in Sarasota, but in the entire world. Charles Miano, founder and director of the school, estimates that there are probably only 80-100 similar schools in the world. “We’re dedicated to preserving traditional drawing and painting, which means artists’ use of oil on canvas and traditional materials,” says Miano. “We’re keeping it alive in a digital age and find that it brings a strong foundation to artists as they progress, learn craft, learn how to draw and how to see. We’re based on a typical atelier in the Renaissance tradition and the methods that we teach come through a lineage from the 19th century—it’s a pretty niche organization.” Throughout the summer, the Miano Academy offers a variety of classes for artists across skill levels. In addition to the full-time Atelier Apprenticeship program, there is an open studio with a live model each Wednesday, which is uninstructed and a public class, Fun Friday Figure/Portrait class, each Friday with Miano as instructor.  —D.Campbell   Herrig Center for the Arts, 888 3rd Ave W, Bradenton. 941-746-2862, herrigcenter.org. Venice Art Center, 390 Nokomis Ave South, Venice. 941-485-7136, veniceartcenter.com. Miano Academy of Art, 1915 Northgate Blvd, Sarasota, 941-351-8360. mianoacademy.org