Discover the Arts
Experience Arts and Culture in Martin County
Do you have a thirst for the arts?
There’s no better destination in all of Florida than Martin County, home to an eclectic mix of distinct communities along Florida’s Atlantic Coast. This quaint escape offers plenty of reasons to plan a visit, but one of the most obvious is the rich arts and culture scene. Bursting with annual cultural events and home to prestigious art galleries, studios, and performance venues, Martin County is a true hidden gem for arts enthusiasts. Whether you’re a novice looking for immersive, hands-on experiences or a highbrow arts connoisseur, there’s something for everyone. Here are the top reasons Martin County is Florida’s best arts destination.
Martin County Arts & Culture Trail
The Martin County Arts & Culture Trail is a free, mobile-exclusive program that features a range of award-winning museums, celebrated attractions, cutting-edge exhibits, historic sites, eclectic galleries, and engaging selections from the Martin County Art in Public Places program.
Court House Cultural Center
A Charming Arts Scene Like No Other
Stop by the Court House Cultural Center & Gallery, tucked away in Historic Downtown Stuart. Step inside and you’ll be immediately transfixed by the ever-changing collections displayed throughout this gorgeous Art Deco building constructed in 1937.
Take a look at some of the unique events from MartinArts, from intimate concerts to behind-the-scenes chats with artists and more!
The Creek District
Get Inspired in Stuart
Established in 2019, The Creek District is Stuart’s officially designated arts and entertainment district. Located just south of “Confusion Corner” and encompassing Colorado Avenue and surrounding streets, this enchanting stretch of Stuart is home to a lively music scene, monthly First Friday Art Walks, and a fabulous selection of galleries, shops, eateries, and more.
The Martin Artisans Guild
The Martin Artisans Guild was created to nurture the production of fine art, increase awareness of local art, facilitate networking among working artists, and create venues for Martin County artists. The Guild celebrates art in various forms, including painting, mixed media, ceramics, pottery, fiber, jewelry, sculpture, glass, photography, and more. Be sure to visit the Palm Room Art Gallery and Artisans Boutique in Sewall’s Point – and don’t miss their annual Open Studio Tour!
Historic Lyric Theatre
Watch art come alive on stage at the Lyric Theatre in Historic Downtown Stuart. Built in the 1920s, the theater is recognized for its Art Deco exterior. Originally designed to be a silent movie house, the grand Lyric Theatre now hosts a dynamic calendar of events, including live music performances, classical plays, stand-up comedy specials, tribute concerts, dance recitals, movie screenings, and more.
The Barn Theatre
The Barn Theatre is a 169-seat community theatre presenting five main stage productions, and a Showcase Series of one-act plays held between main stage productions. The Barn is Martin County’s oldest non-profit community theatre and the only community theatre venue from Fort Pierce to Jupiter. The Barn Theatre recently received the MartinArts Council Special Recognition Award and was named Best Community Theatre in Martin County.
It's Always Cultural Season in Martin County
Martin County is home to a number of annual events throughout the calendar year that celebrate the local arts. The Jensen Beach Fine Art & Craft Show is held in Downtown Jensen Beach and officially kicks off our “festival season.” The annual Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts is another fan favorite that invites art lovers to browse through an impressive collection of vendors showcasing their best pieces for sale. And you can’t miss ArtsFest, organized each year by MartinArts. This award-winning event is one of the longest-running art festivals in the region.
Unleash Your Creative Side
Looking to roll up your sleeves and immerse yourself in the arts? Let Martin County be your muse! Our local professionals would love to teach you their ways. There are plenty of options to find inspiration and make your very own masterpiece during a visit. For example, work the potter’s wheel at Vivienne Monroe Pottery in Jensen Beach, create one-of-a-kind fabric art during a workshop at Aya Fiber Studio in Stuart, or color outside the lines during an event at Splatter and Sip Studio in Hobe Sound. For even more ideas, read our blog post below.
Must-See Museums
From the interactive activities of the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast to the fascinating collections housed within the walls of the Elliott Museum on Hutchinson Island, there’s always something new to learn and discover.
Established in 1961, the Elliott Museum in Stuart, Florida has been enriching lives through education for decades. Unlike other institutions, the Elliott Museum does not restrict itself to one central topic of interest. This spot features installments and exhibits dedicated to history, art, community culture and more. Keep reading for just a few of the many reasons to visit the Elliott Museum.
Performing Arts
Watch art come alive on stage at Lyric Theatre in Historic Downtown Stuart. The theater is recognized for its Art Deco exterior built in the 1920s. Originally designed to be a silent movie house, the grand Lyric Theatre now hosts a dynamic calendar of events, including live music performances, classical plays, stand-up comedy specials, tribute concerts, dance recitals, movie screenings, and more. Celebrity guests often headline shows at Lyric Theatre, such as Lily Tomlin, Jane Lynch, and Bruce Hornsby. And that’s just one of our incredible venues to catch an unforgettable live show!
Upcoming Arts Events
More to Explore
15 Photos That Prove Life is Better by the Water
Life is better by the water - especially when those waters are in Martin County, Florida. Our coastal community has everything you could need - beaches, nature preserves, crashing waves and so much more. But, sometimes, you just need to see it to believe it. Keep scrolling for a slew of visitor photos that prove life is way better by the water. 1. Floating clouds #sunrise #myflorida #LoveFL A post shared by Sharon (@_goodmorning_sunshine_) on Jan 11, 2018 at 4:31am PST 2....