Art Galleries near Captiva, FL

“The best part of this place is that the art is truly local. They have textile, jewelry and decorative art, and the staff is super knowledgeable about the products and artists. The clothing is upscale beach attire, and considering the surroundings, is priced right. The paintings displayed vary from landscapes to really nice abstracts. There's probably something for enshrined in here. Great little gallery.”

“Jim Mazzotta's phenomenal works of art, appearing on T-shirts featuring lyrics to Jimmy Buffett songs, were my gateway drug into all things Buffett, Pirate, Parrot, and what later became the Margaritaville scene.
I began searching online for the actual artist of these fantastic designs. Who was the artist that created the ocean and island life scenes of pirates, ships, parrots, lizards, and lovers? "Caribbean Soul" searches were somewhat fruitless as that brand name is used by many businesses now, and the original clothing brand hasn't been around for over 20 years. After many unsuccessful searches, I finally found an old online blog that referenced "the two Jimmy's shirts," as Jim Mazzotta's art and Jimmy Buffett's lyrics. I finally had a name! That led me to an art gallery website, which led me to Jim Mazzotta's Instagram page, and then to his own art gallery's website.
The results of my searches proved far more magical than I had imagined. Jim Mazzotta and his wife, Kathleen, continue to create incredible works of art which are on display in their Jungle Drums Art Gallery on Captiva Island, and on Jim's Instagram page. I sent an email to the gallery explaining some of the above and asked about purchasing items my wife and I found on the website. Much to my surprise, and excitement, I received a response from Jim himself, saying he was glad I found him.
I ordered Jim Mazzotta’s book, “Illustrated Escapes, a Visual Journey,” which includes terrific stories of his start as a young artist, how he became captivated with coastal and island life, and the story behind those first designs and concepts he and an entrepreneurial T-shirt friend created and pitched to Jimmy Buffett. It's all there, the beginning of the pulp culture style we all fondly know. The pages are full of vibrant photos of Jim's art of that era; thrillingly including many I had never seen. Jim has not only created artwork for many newspapers and Jimmy Buffett merchandise, but also for Disney and Universal Studios.
The fact that what started as a search for my all-time favorite T-shirts led to enjoyable correspondence with Jim himself, and a fun conversation with Kathleen while ordering the book, all adds to the adventure. My wife and I have ordered and received some of Jim's works on canvas, already plan on ordering more!”

“We loved stopping at this gallery. The lady is very nice, and the works are breathtaking.The storm has devastated the surrounding area, but going there is supporting the locals who are staying put. Thank you for your welcome ?”

“Store had lots of items but very few local. You can find a souvenir here for sure, but only 1 room with local artist offerings. I ended up purchasing an item from Mexico..not what I went in for, but still wanted to support the local business.”

“The sweetest couple own this store! Judy hand makes the jewelry and furs such a beautiful job. I found fresh water pearl bracelet and earring set and absolutely love them!It's a fun store with lots of items to look at!Definitely worth coming in and checking it out.”

“a few yrs. ago, purchased silver ring with opal panels.Cindy lovely, pleasant...I knew her Grandfather in Lewiston, MI. Fine family business; love my ring; great value. Sorry my picture not great ! -johnColumbus, OH”

“Best Gallery I’ve seen in Florida.
A nice range and variety of Wonderful artwork ✨
Lovely space.
There’s a restaurant next door.
The whole site is very well maintained.”

“Over the past few weeks, I had the pleasure of attending not one, but two bluegrass shows at Big Arts on Sanibel, and they were nothing short of amazing. If you're on the hunt for top-notch entertainment on this charming island, Big Arts is a gem that's not to be overlooked.What makes this venue stand out is its intimate setting. There truly are no bad seats in the house. You feel an immediate connection with the performers, thanks to the small and unique layout, which adds an incredibly personal touch to the concert experience. And the sound? Oh, the sound is just great. Every strum, every vocal nuance resonates perfectly, enveloping you in a rich tapestry of bluegrass melodies.This past visit, I had the joy of experiencing Alan Bibey & Grasstowne live. The energy, the talent, and the sheer joy of their performance were amazing.So, whether you're a local or just visiting the quaint and beautiful Sanibel Island, and looking for an evening of splendid entertainment, consider Big Arts. It's more than a venue; it's a vibrant community hub where the arts come alive.”

“Gorgeous pieces of hand blown glass octopus hanging from the ceiling!I totally love the huge white pieces of table top lamps that look like Coral!The coastal nightlights and ornaments are spectacular.The lady at the register was a delight we talked with a few of the other clientele and enjoyed our selfs!I’ll stop in a shop next time I’m local hope to get on of those cool lamps !HawaiiBobs”