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The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota honors the Sarasota Opera

The arts advocacy group honored maestro Victor DeRenzi and the Sarasota Opera with its 4th Annual Luminaire Award.


  • By Nick Reichert
  • | 11:43 a.m. December 9, 2015
  • Arts + Culture
  • Share

The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota came together Wednesday to reflect and honor the best in Sarasota arts at Michael's On East. In addition to drinks, lunch, a diverse jewelry and clothing boutique and silent auction, the society presented its 4th annual Luminaire Award to maestro Victor DeRenzi and the Sarasota Opera in honor of their nearly 30-year journey to perform all of Giuseppe Verdi's operas and music and thus putting Sarasota on opera's world stage. 

The Luminaire Award is given to persons or organizations that have made a significant impact on Sarasota's arts community either through philanthropy, creativity or advocacy. Past recipients include Howard Tibbles, benefactor and craftsman who created the Howard Bros. Circus, Howard Millman, former artistic director of the Asolo Repertory Theatre, and Iain Webb and Margaret Barbieri for their direction of the Sarasota Ballet. 

Stephanie Sundine and Victor DeRenzi
Stephanie Sundine and Victor DeRenzi
Richard and Cynthia Russell
Richard and Cynthia Russell
Hamila Kadivar and Sherry Delgado
Hamila Kadivar and Sherry Delgado
Martha Harrison, Peter Miller and Barbara Jacob
Martha Harrison, Peter Miller and Barbara Jacob
Anne Jones and Penny Mathews
Anne Jones and Penny Mathews
Elly Stoddard, Joy Stone, Joan Ochs, Helene Levin, Barbara Smith and Penny Mathews.
Elly Stoddard, Joy Stone, Joan Ochs, Helene Levin, Barbara Smith and Penny Mathews.
Diane Trettin and Jan Lovelace
Diane Trettin and Jan Lovelace
Ellen Niemi and Nancy Boyd
Ellen Niemi and Nancy Boyd
Judith Collier and Karin Tugendhat
Judith Collier and Karin Tugendhat
Janet Huelstar and Joan Styles
Janet Huelstar and Joan Styles
Michael Bowers and Suzy Phillipes
Michael Bowers and Suzy Phillipes
The members and supporters of the Fine Arts Society of Sarasota and the Sarasota Opera came together to raise funds for arts education and to honor the opera's historic accomplishments under the direction of Victor DeRenzi.
The members and supporters of the Fine Arts Society of Sarasota and the Sarasota Opera came together to raise funds for arts education and to honor the opera's historic accomplishments under the direction of Victor DeRenzi.
Joan Emrich and Connie Maxian
Joan Emrich and Connie Maxian
Aina Segal and Joyce Cooper
Aina Segal and Joyce Cooper
Jane and Dan Sweeney
Jane and Dan Sweeney
Paul and Nancy Couzelis and Fred Fiala
Paul and Nancy Couzelis and Fred Fiala
Patti and John Page
Patti and John Page
Susan Andrae and Marjorie Sayer
Susan Andrae and Marjorie Sayer
Judy Fiala and Roberta Hamilton
Judy Fiala and Roberta Hamilton
Stan and Elma Abshier
Stan and Elma Abshier

 

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