Stand Up, Help Out the Art Center Sarasota

Who:

Web site: artsarasota.org

What they're all about: Just as the arts themselves encompass a huge variety of media, styles and forms, so do the volunteers at Art Center Sarasota. Karen Branch is responsible for shepherding the 160 volunteers as their coordinator.

The Art Center hosts a gallery exhibits, workshops and other events support fine arts in Sarasota.

How to help: “We’re definitely looking for helping hands,” Branch said. “Our handyman is now in his 80s and he’s amazing.”

Branch is looking for volunteers to fulfill a variety of roles.

“We need help for evening events,” she said. “From greeting to food preparation.” And because the center coordinates about 27 exhibitions per year, each one usually receives an evening opening.

At each exhibition, volunteers are needed beyond the openings to help explain to visitors how to view the exhibitions, tell them if there is a specific theme or help visitors to get the most out of their visit.

Other volunteers are needed for the Art Center’s educational programs. Every year it runs about 45 programs, including events for children as well as adults. Volunteers are needed for set-up and demonstrations.

Branch said the center recently finished an outdoor renovation, even moving some of the iconic statuary.

“Planting and weeding and watering, that’s for volunteers too,” she said.

The center features a key volunteer in each bi-weekly newsletter. During March the center will host a volunteer-recognition luncheon to note the top male and female of the year.

“This is a wonderful place,” said Branch of the location off the Tamiami Trial and  south of the . “It’s quiet, almost serene with a great atmosphere. People make a lot of new friends.”