Scene & Heard

By Mallory Gnaegy
| 4:00 a.m. April 3, 2013

"Complexus looks upon the Gulf each day, both beckoning oncoming visitors and standing as a protector over the art culture of your city," artist John Henry said in his dedication speech. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.

Arts + Culture

+ Complexus is official
It’s official as of Tuesday, March 26 — the big red 70-foot statue at the corner of U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue, “Complexus,” belongs to the city of Sarasota. A dedication of the sculpture took place on-site; Mayor Suzanne Atwell, City Manager Tom Barwin as well as other city employees; the artist John Henry; board members of Sarasota Season of Sculpture, including Susan McLeod, Tom Savage and Dr. Larry Thompson; and the donors who made the sculpture donation possible, such as Jan Schmidt, attended the dedication.

It was a cheerful and warm dedication, regardless of the 50-degree and windy weather. With the addition of this sculpture, Sarasota Season of Sculpture has been responsible for $1.2 million worth of art dedicated to the city of Sarasota in the past four years.

+ LBKCA hosts picture-perfect exhibit
“The Inspiring Image” photographic exhibition opens April 5, at Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design in the Durante Gallery and runs through May. It features photos from Ringling’s department of photography’s imaging faculty and is a first for the Arts Center.

Curator and department head Thomas Carabasi met Arts Center Executive Director Jane Buckman when planning a jazz concert there in February — Carabasi is a percussionist and photographer.

“He has a varied rich and creative life,” says Buckman of Carabasi.

Carabasi and Buckman spoke about what’s happening in the world of contemporary photography. Buckman already considered bringing a photography exhibit to the center, but one that differs from the mostly landscape variety.

They decided an exhibit featuring Ringling faculty, all of whom are broad in their approaches to photography, would be a perfect showcase of contemporary photography.

Buckman thinks the artwork of the Durante Gallery juxtaposes nicely with the photos in the Cultural Media Room featuring Jim Johnson’s travel photography — he’s based in Osprey. She calls his work “very unique with arresting composition.”

There’s an opening reception for the exhibit from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Arts Center, 6860 Longboat Drive S., that’s free and open to the public. RSVP is required, call 383-2345 for more information.

Patron Saints
Each week, The Observer releases a new video as part of our webisode series, “Patron Saints.” It’s a series that showcases a patron of the arts and the venue to which they donate.

Dr. Phillip Nelson moved to The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch retirement community about a decade ago. The retired OB/GYN had been involved in community theater in his past and was searching for an activity in which to get involved. He joined the Glenridge Performing Arts Group and two choruses and couldn’t get enough. Learn more about how his donations have helped GPAC at www.yourobserver.com/content/Patron-Saints-378.html. Stay tuned to Scene and Heard each week for the next patron.

Hot Ticket
‘Candida’: FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s production of the classic comedy written by George Bernard Shaw about a poet that tries to win the affections of a clergyman’s wife. It opens April 9 and runs through April 28, at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail. Tickets are $28 to $29. Call 351-9010, Ext. 2311 for more information.

‘It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues’: Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s presentation of a musical revue by Charles Bevel, Lita Gaithers, Randal Myler, Ron Taylor and Dan Wheetman opens 8 p.m. April 10 and runs through May 12, at the WBTT Theater, 1646 10th Way. Tickets are $29.50. Call 366-1505.