Daytona Beach Arts Scene Offers Surprises, Variety and Cultural Connections

Daytona Beach Arts Scene Offers Surprises, Variety and Cultural Connections

Daytona Beach is best known for its 23 miles of Atlantic shoreline, with beautiful beaches and welcoming waters. It is, however, also making a splash as an arts destination. Monuments and murals grace public spaces and tell stories of local culture and history and increasing numbers of visitors are drawn to the galleries, shops, performances and events that celebrate the arts here.

Daytona Beach is known for its easy access via Interstates 95 and 4, between St. Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center, and just an hour east of Orlando. New flight options into Daytona Beach International Airport (700 Catalina Drive, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-248-8030) make arriving by air convenient and affordable, also.

Read on to discover more than a dozen museums and galleries, each with a personality of its own, filled with original works in a variety of media. Alongside them, a variety of performing arts venues and events offer one-of-a-kind experiences.

There are Entertainment Districts and neighborhoods throughout Daytona Beach, each inviting visitors to explore new dimensions of this versatile destination. For art lovers, the Ormond Beach Mainstreet Arts District is a favorite. This neighborhood has an eclectic mix of shops and galleries along with a lively restaurant and nightlife scene. The district celebrates at its monthly First Saturday Art Walk, but the Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens (78 East Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach, Florida 32176; 386-676-3347) is a treasure to visit any day. The changing gallery exhibits feature works from both Florida and international artists. There are also tropical gardens and nature trails to explore. 

Art Spotlight (67 West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach, Florida 32174; 386-871-4991) is a shining star in the Ormond Beach arts community. This fine art gallery hosts the work of more than two dozen local artists. The unique work

in the gallery ranges from painting to sculpture to wood creations and beyond.

Daytona Beach’s Beach Street has many local shops and galleries to explore, as well. Starry Night Gallery (230 South Beach Street, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 516-458-9588) is a vibrant, cultural hub which showcases works from local and international artists and hosts special exhibitions, workshops and live performances. Etrusca Gallery & Boutique (146 South Beach Street, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-235-6676) is an artists' co-operative which features a diverse selection of work from area artists and also offers art instruction to children, teens and adults. 

In New Smyrna Beach, Galleria di Vetro (310 Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168; 386-409-0402) is home to an amazing array of glass art and Arts on Douglas (123 Douglas Street, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168; 386-428-1133) represents more than 50 professional Florida artists working in a range of styles and methods.

At the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences (352 South Nova Road, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-255-0285), visitors can experience beautiful art along with the wonder of science, stories of history and the state-of-the-art Lowell and Nancy Lohman Family Planetarium. The Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art (352 South Nova Road, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-255-0285) has the largest collection of Florida art in the world, along with an unmatched display of Coca-Cola memorabilia.

Florida's only museum dedicated to photography, the Southeast Museum of Photography (Daytona State College, 1200 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-506-3894) collects, preserves and exhibits photography. Exhibits include rotating collections and student works.

The Mary McLeod Bethune Home & Gravesite (640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-481-2121) is the former home of civil rights leader, educator and founder of Bethune-Cookman University and is filled with fascinating artifacts and photos. 

The African American Museum of the Arts (325 South Clara Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32720; 386-736-4004) features art from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Kenya and houses a revolving gallery of both established and emerging artists. It is home to a permanent collection of more than 150 artifacts, including sculptures and masks from the countries of Africa.

Outside, public art is accessible throughout the destination. The Monument and Statue Trail makes for a fascinating tour and illuminates the diversity of Daytona Beach history and culture. Featured stops showcase icons of racing, civil rights and military history. The Mural Trail includes a collection of unique street art and some of Daytona Beach’s most instagrammable locations.

Performing arts add even more dimension to Daytona Beach’s appeal for art lovers. The Daytona Beach Bandshell (70 Boardwalk Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-671-8250) is a longstanding favorite for those who enjoy concerts on the beach. Each May through September, a series of performances entertains beachgoers, with the sounds of jazz, blues, country and more. The Ocean Center (101 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 800-858-6444) entertainment complex also hosts numerous concerts and performances throughout the year. 

The Peabody Auditorium (600 Auditorium Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-671-3460) hosts the Volusia Civic Ballet, the Broadway in Daytona

Beach series and showcases live concerts, comedy shows and theater performances. The News-Journal Center at Daytona State College (221 North Beach Street, Daytona Beach, Florida, 32114; 386-226-1888), located in downtown Daytona Beach overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, hosts concerts and theater productions and is the home to the Daytona Beach Symphony Society, which brings the best in orchestras, opera and dance companies to the venue every year.

Smaller performance theatres add to the variety here. Daytona Playhouse (100 Jessamine Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-255-2431), Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center (399 North US Highway 1, Ormond Beach, Florida 32174; 386-676-3375), The Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach (726 East Third Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32169; 386-423-1246) The Shoestring Theatre (380 South Goodwin Street, Lake Helen, Florida 32744; 386-228-3777) and the arthouse Cinematique Theater (242 South Beach Street, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-252-3118) each bring their own series of performance art and theatre for both locals and visitors to enjoy.

Many art lovers plan their Daytona Beach visit to coincide with one of the area’s outstanding art festivals:

Considered one of Central Florida’s premier art events, the Halifax Art Festival (Beach Street, Downtown Daytona Beach; 914-954-8814) has celebrated emerging artists and craftsmen for more than 60 years. The event features 150 juried fine artists and craft artisans from across the country. Watercolors, oil paintings, basket-weaving, home goods, jewelry-making are all a part of this show, a perennial favorite.

The ONE DAYTONA Art Festival (1 Daytona Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114-1252; 386-262-1912) is an award-winning annual fine arts festival featuring juried fine artists and non-juried fine craft artisans. The festival features more than 150 artists and crafters, live art exhibits, live music and a kid's zone with hands-on craft projects. Artist presentations are also held at Gallery500 (ONE DAYTONA, 1870 Victory Circle, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-262-1912). 

The Daytona Beach Arts Fest takes place along historic Beach Street near the Riverfront Esplanade. This immersive art experience includes juried fine art, an artisan marketplace, craftworks, street art, a book fair, music, kids activities, food and more. There’s even a Street Art Showdown and a chalk art competition.

Article provided by Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Photo Credit: Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.