Downtown Arts District Orlando

05/10/2026

Celebrating the United Arts of Central Florida 2026 Collaborative Campaign with a toast at The Orlando Museum of Art with our Executive Director Barbara Hartley and Chairman of the Board Daniel Betancourt.

Thank you to everyone who donated to the campaign and for helping the Downtown Arts District beat its 2026 fundraising goal! 🥂🎉🎨

05/09/2026

Join us for the opening of the 13th annual Art Meets Medicine exhibit on May 21, created by cancer patients and their caregivers. Themed “Mind, Body and Color,” we celebrate the courage, creativity and transformation of those on the path to healing.

A cancer diagnosis and treatment process are often accompanied by a tremendous amount of stress. To combat this, Orlando Health Cancer Institute offers various Integrative Medicine programs that provide healing services to complement patients’ medical treatments — focused on their physical, emotional and social health.

For nearly 30 years, artists have connected with Orlando Health cancer patients through the Arts in Medicine program. Through painting, writing and other mediums, patients can take their minds off treatment and focus on the act of creating. For many, this has transformed the way they see their diagnosis, their treatments and themselves.

A division of the Oncology Integrative Medicine department, the Arts in Medicine program provides materials, time and the expertise of an artist-in-residence, plus volunteers and art interns. Thanks to generous donations, this program is offered at no cost to oncology patients and caregivers.

This year’s theme, “Mind, Body and Color,” highlights the Arts in Medicine’s holistic approach to care with images relating to the mind - body connection. Movement, courage, and hope are evoked when witnessing the fortitude of individuals who choose the joy of creation over the fear of uncertainty.

Join us in celebrating the courage, creativity and transformation of those on a path to healing at this beautiful exhibit from May 21 through June 13.

To learn more and register for Third Thursday, visit 3rdthurs2026.eventbrite.com

05/01/2026

Hey there! Join us for a fun and hands-on portrait drawing workshop lead by Angelo the Artiste where you’ll get to sharpen your skills in person. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to brush up on your technique, this is the perfect spot to practice, learn, and meet fellow art lovers. Bring your creativity and let’s dive into the art of capturing faces with pencil and paper. Can’t wait to see your masterpieces come to life!

What you’ll learn:
- How to properly draw a persons features in proportion.
- How to shade by adding darks and lights to a face for realism
- How to use a mechanical pencil
- General drawing tips and tricks

What you’ll get with your ticket:
- A small sketchbook and a mechanical pencil

Reserve your spot now at https://angelotheartiste-workshop.eventbrite.com

04/30/2026

April Showers bring May Newsletters! 🌷 Swipe through for the latest art events, exhibitions, upcoming calls to artists, and more.

Want the full scoop? Sign up for our email list to get the in-depth version straight to your inbox. Click here ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/dadorlando/sms-signup

04/25/2026

On view in the Side Gallery: Solo Exhibition by Roland Cruse

Born in Texas and currently based in St. Cloud, Florida, Roland Cruse’s creative practice is a dialogue between the structured observation of the natural world and the fluid freedom of abstraction. While his background is rooted in the vibrant colors and impressionistic forms of plein air landscape painting, this current exhibition focuses exclusively on his contemporary works. In these pieces, Cruse steps away from the literal "sense of place" to explore a visual language of gestural movement, symbolic depth, and rhythmic color shapes.

This exhibition showcases two distinct but interconnected series of contemporary works: a collection of monotypes and their oil-derived counterparts, and a series of expressive acrylic and latex paintings. While each series employs different media, they are unified by a shared exploration of gesture and symbolic interaction.

On view until May 16th at 6 PM.

04/23/2026

Strawberry Matcha is this month’s special 🍓🍵 the perfect spring combo. Don’t miss it while it’s here!

37 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
Tues–Sun | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
cityartscafe.com
(407) 648-7060

04/22/2026

On view in the Austin Commercial Gallery & CityArts Café Gallery: “Echoes of US” CityArts x Ecos Fest Group Exhibition

“Latin roots run deep through time and tradition, transcending borders and cultures: seeds germinating into limitless universes of meaning.

What does it mean to be Latin/Hispanic/Latinx at this moment in history?

What hues diffract from the prism contrasting the old and the new, tradition and technology, oil and brush and quantum computing?

What are the ancestral echoes that resonate and guide us in the era of social media and A.I.?

How can our Latin roots help us stand firm through the winds of change?

How will our actions, our work and our love resonate?

What seeds will we leave for future generations?

What are the echoes of US?”

Featured Artists:

Adryanna Rivera-Delgado | Aisha Rivera | Angelica Acevedo Sánchez | Barbara Cobo | Billiva Arts | Carlos Vega | Carolina Alvarez | Christian Mendez | Danae Nunez | David Dexter | Gene Amoroso | Jona Mictil | Karen Cruz Garcia | Karla Feliciano | Leah Theresa Nieves | LeSha Martinez | Mac De Sol | Maria sol Jaramillo | Melanie Vigo Figueroa | Melina Alegrίa | Miriam Texidor | Nelson Cardenas | Patsy Ann Rivera | Paulette Frontanes | Rebecca Natasha Slater | Sandra Kittle | Scott Milbuta

On view until May 16th at 6 PM.

04/14/2026

Third Thursday is this Thursday! Use this guide to navigate the day and make the most of the experience.

Shows Opening This Third Thursday:

Austin Commercial Gallery - "Echoes of US" Group Exhibition in Collaboration with Ecos Fest & CityArts

Upstairs Signature Gallery - Japanese Artists Exhibition

Side Gallery - Solo Exhibition by Roland Cruse

CityArts Café Gallery - "Echoes of US" Group Exhibition in Collaboration with Ecos Fest & CityArts

The Mahesh Chaddah Family Trust Spotlight Gallery - Solo Exhibition by Julio "Julsan" Sanchez

Young Artists Gallery - "The Art of Hope" An Exhibition Benefitting Runway to Hope

Redefine Gallery - "The Dumpster Dive" Art Show by Canada Tattoos

Thursday, April 16, 2026
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
CityArts | 39 S. Magnolia Avenue
Free to Attend
Register at 3rdthurs2026.eventbrite.com

04/03/2026

Happy Friday!!! The Downtown Arts District has $11,000 left to raise in the United Arts of Central Florida campaign to meet its goal. Weirdly, it comes out to $407 per day. Coincidence?

Please consider making a donation of an amount that’s meaningful to you.

Your contribution will directly fuel the local arts, science, and history organizations you know and love. Donate today.

04/01/2026

This isn’t an April Fool’s Joke, it’s our April Newsletter! Swipe through for the latest art events, exhibitions, upcoming calls to artists, and more.

Want the full scoop? Sign up for our email list to get the in-depth version straight to your inbox. Click here ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/dadorlando/sms-signup

03/13/2026

DJ & Music Lineup Announced for Art After Dark

Art After Dark is bringing a vibrant lineup of DJs and live music to CityArts on Saturday, March 14.Throughout the night, the galleries will come alive with sound, movement, and performances from some incredible artists:

Jason Yoho, aka Jayo, is a versatile musician whose sound blends jazz, funk, hip-hop and soul with a modern creative edge. A multi-instrumentalist and dynamic performer, Jayo is recognized for his rhythmic grooves and an ability to seamlessly shift between heartfelt melodies and high-energy improvisation.

Dj Frankie from Apartment E & WPRK. Lover of all things art, music, sights & sounds that are local & fun...!

Antonia Rivano is the founder of Tun Tun, a platform dedicated to intimate dancefloor experiences and underground community. As both a DJ and curator, she is passionate about creating spaces where music, movement, and connection come together.

FEMME7 is a powerhouse vocal group made up of fierce female performers—each a soloist in her own right—united to redefine what strength, beauty, and talent look like in today’s entertainment industry. Featuring original arrangements of iconic covers like “You Don’t Own Me,” “Chandelier,” “If I Were a Boy,” and “Freedom,” FEMME7 blends feminine strength with tight harmonies, striking costumes, and dynamic choreography to create a bold, emotionally charged live show.

🎟 Tickets are currently $35 through 11:59 PM tonight.

Event Details:
March 14, 2026
7:00–10:00 p.m.
CityArts Orlando | 39 S. Magnolia Avenue
21+ | Cocktail attire / dressy casual

Tickets sell out every year. Secure yours before prices increase at aad2026.eventbrite.com