P R E S S + R E V I E W S

  • Four women posing together in a room with abstract art and white decor, each wearing elegant attire.

    WOMEN ON THE SCENE 2024

    Sarasota Scene

    Established in 2020 by visionary Puerto Rican artist and curator Mara Torres González, MARA Art Studio + Gallery is a dynamic hub of contemporary fine art… this gallery has quickly become a favorite for art enthusiasts, standing as a testament to the fusion of artistic innovation and cultural diversity. Pg 28-29

  • Art gallery interior with a sculpture in the foreground featuring green plantains in a white container labeled 'Hecho en Puerto Rico'; vibrant artwork on dark walls in the background.

    Julia Rivera Sparks Discussion at MARA Art Studio + Gallery

    Phil Lederer

    The MARA Art Studio + Gallery is celebrating the work of Puerto Rican artist Julia Rivera through a special exhibition of paintings and sculpture, currently on display in the Palm Avenue gallery. Entitled Small Talk, the show highlights both the warm and whimsical side of the New York-based artist, as well as the pointedly political, where art meets activism and Rivera clearly has more to say than small talk.

  • Smiling woman with crossed arms in an art gallery with colorful paintings

    THE SEASONED PRO: Mara Art Studio and Gallery

    Phil Lederer

    An Anchor for the Arts

    Making the shift from Rosemary to Palm, MARA Art Studio and Gallery winnows its roster just a bit, with artist/owner Mara Torres carefully curating a select list of professional artists exclusive to the gallery.

  • Woman in a blue dress standing in an art gallery with paintings and sculptures on display.

    M A R A Art Studio + Gallery Opens On Palm Avenue

    Photo by Jola Bremer for Evoke Headshot Studio.

    Artist and gallerist Mara Torres González recently relocated MARA Art Studio + Gallery from the Rosemary District to Palm Avenue—a corridor long known for its prestigious galleries. “Our relocation marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for MARA Art Studio + Gallery,” says Torres González.

  • Contemporary art gallery featuring paintings, sculptures, and mixed media art pieces displayed on walls and pedestals.

    Sarasota artist goes back to ‘Square One’

    Marty Fugate

    “Going back to square one” implies hitting the reset button. The “Square One” exhibition at MARA Art Studio + Gallery lives up to its name.

    It’s the gallery’s first show in its new Palm Avenue location. For artist and gallery owner Mara Torres González, it’s definitely a fresh start.

  • Woman standing in an art gallery with abstract paintings on walls.

    Sarasota's Mara Gallery is on the move

    Monica Roman Gagnier

    Artist and gallerist Mara Torres González liked her old space that she opened in Sarasota's Rosemary District in 2020, but there wasn't enough foot traffic in the up-and-coming area for her tastes. She's glad she moved to a block that is coming back to life as downtown's gallery row.

  • MARIA

    Explore aftermath of Hurricane María in Puerto Rico

    Mara Torres González to speak about her visual art book.

    “The merciless winds not only uprooted trees, it uprooted life as we knew it.”

    On September 20, 2017, Hurricane María made landfall in Puerto Rico, while Puerto Ricans were still coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

  • Artistic representation of a hurricane vortex with text about resilience and hurricane preparedness in Puerto Rico. Includes artist Mara Torres González's name and reference to Hurricane María and Hurricane Fiona.

    DE LA RESILIENCIA AL ARTE

    Karina Pérez

    En medio de la incertidumbre y la desesperación que vivían los puertorriqueños, tras el paso del huracán María en el 2017, la artista visual de medio mixto Mara Torres González encontró la inspiración para crear una colección que plasmara la cruda realidad de su país.

  • Abstract black and white geometric artwork with circles, lines, and patterns

    Art review: Wonderful world of black and white as seen by Sarasota area artists.

    Marty Fugate

    There are seven colors in the rainbow – and far more colors in the visible spectrum. Researchers estimate that the human eye can see approximately one million hues. That’s a whole lot of eye candy – but color can also be a crutch. How far can visual artists go without it?

  • Abstract painting with textured layers, earthy tones, and geometric shapes.

    Grace Howl: The accidental artist

    Marty Fugate

    HowI has been a Florida-based artist since 2008. MARA Art Studio + Gallery is showcasing her work in its “Intersections” exhibition. The show comprises three series of Howl’s paintings from yesterday and today. One series revealed her latest artistic direction; the others illustrated where she's coming from and where she started.

  • Collage of ancient artifacts and masks with the text 'Justified + Ancient' overlaid.

    Halo Arts Project and MARA Art Studio Open New Exhibit

    Halo Arts Project and MARA Art Studio + Gallery in Sarasota, FL, present a compelling new exhibit, Justified + Ancient, which will be open to the general public at MARA Art Studio + Gallery from November 1 through November 17, 2022.

    Justified + Ancient pairs 16 accomplished contemporary artists with 16 ancient artifacts from a range of 3000 BC to the 19th century, challenging artists to redesign and reimagine the works through their own representation.

  • Modern art studio building with red metal beams, palm trees, and a glass entrance on a sunny day.

    Hidden Gems: Local Businesses & Creatives You Should Know

    Conversations with Mara Torres Gonzalez

    Today we’d like to introduce you to Mara Torres Gonzalez. Them and their team share their story with us below: Mara Torres González is an artist born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, currently living in Sarasota, Florida. Mara has expressed her creativity since her early childhood…

  • A woman wearing a black top and a snakeskin-patterned skirt standing in a brightly lit room, with artwork and a gray armchair visible in the background.

    Mara Torres González, Owner, Mara Studio Gallery

    Inspired. Art is my Medium.

    Mara Torres González, a modern contemporary artist born and raised in Puerto Rico, has opened her own studio in the heart of Sarasota’s Rosemary District. Mara’s work ranges from fine art to unique functional art including tables, trays, decorative pillows, and more…

  • Person standing beside colorful art prints on a gallery wall, wearing a floral shirt and glasses.

    MARA Art Studio and Gallery exhibit highlights local photographers

    May is National Photography Month, and Mara Torres, the owner of the MARA Art Studio + Gallery in the Rosemary District, thought there would be no better way to recognize the artform than with a photography-focused exhibition. The work of eight photographers of varying styles and backgrounds from Florida and Puerto Rico is on display as part of the “THROUGH THE LENS… perspectives”.

  • Abstract painting with black, yellow, and pink brushstrokes.

    This Week in A+E: Feb. 3-9 'Duality'

    Mara Torres Gonzalez invites you to gaze upon her work and take in the full measure of her achievements. "Duality" will feature large scale and mixed media works, and the exhibit will open with a 90-minute reception featuring pianist Alan Wasserman.

  • Woman with glasses standing in front of abstract blue artwork, wearing dark sweater and long necklace.

    Local artists showcase works at Rosemary Ramble

    The Rosemary District showcased its many artists and creations at the Rosemary Ramble on Thursday, Nov. 19. The new event featured local artists putting their various creations on display.

209

by Mara Torres González

“Every piece in 209 has its own story, memory and lived experience. From the first visit to an empty grocery store 15 days after the storm, to politics. 209 tells the story of every Puerto Rican living on the island, every Puerto Rican of the diaspora watching from afar and the María diaspora.”

Abstract artwork with swirling blue and white textures, featuring the number 209 and the name Mara Torres González in blue text.

Release + Book Signing Event in Sarasota, FL

September 20, 2022

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sarasota Art Museum

1001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Published by the Peppertree Press, LLC