Sarasota Wild

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The diversity of iconic wildlife in Sarasota is something to marvel at: Bald Eagles, Manatees, Bottlenose Dolphins and Loggerhead Turtles. All are big, bold symbols of humanity, happiness and expression.

Artist

Anita Wexler HDF

Anita Wexler

Anita Wexler is a dynamic mixed-media artist whose work bridges personal history, cultural identity, and spiritual exploration. Born and raised in a small rural town in Illinois, she grew up with limited access to traditional art materials, often turning to drawing and doodling as a form of emotional and creative expression. Her Native American heritage—particularly her Cherokee roots—deeply influences her artistic themes and symbolic choices. After graduating high school, Wexler served in the United States Navy, an experience that broadened her perspective and later informed her global artistic vision. She eventually settled in New York City, where she pursued formal art education, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Parsons School of Design and an Art Education certification from Bank Street College. She later obtained a Master of Education from National Louis University.

Wexler’s work is defined by her bold use of color, symbolic layering, and eclectic fusion of materials and styles. Often described as Primitive Pop Art, her art spans painting, illustration, assemblage, and sculpture. Her creative process is intensely personal and often spiritual, with recurring themes of transformation, identity, and inner discovery. World travel plays a key role in her inspiration, with artistic influences drawn from her journeys through India, Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Europe. Among her notable series is the “Totem Series,” a body of work that reinterprets traditional Native American totems through a modern, mixed-media lens.

Beyond her studio practice, Wexler is also an accomplished art educator, having taught high school art in Sarasota, Florida. She believes strongly in the power of art as a tool for personal growth and cultural dialogue. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in private collections, including those of notable figures like actress Jane Seymour and artist William Wegman. She has also made appearances on HGTV programs such as Isn’t That Clever and Crafters Coast to Coast. Through her art and teaching, Anita Wexler continues to explore the intersection of memory, culture, and creativity, inviting viewers into a richly layered and emotionally resonant world.


www.anitawexler.com & Instagram: @artbyanitawexler