• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch showcases local talent


  • By Liz Ramos
  • | 12:00 p.m. November 18, 2023
Lakewood Ranch's Susan Melgaard participates in her first Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch Fall Art Show and Sale. "It's great to work with all the different artists and see all the different creativity everyone has," she says.
Lakewood Ranch's Susan Melgaard participates in her first Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch Fall Art Show and Sale. "It's great to work with all the different artists and see all the different creativity everyone has," she says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Lakewood Ranch's Susan Melgaard has been making fused glass artwork for 15 years after taking a class. 

That class sparked her love of the art form, and on Nov. 18, for the first time, she decided to sell her work at the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch's 21st annual Fall Art Show and Sale at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. 

"It's great to work with all the different artists and see all the creativity everyone has," Melgaard said. 

Melgaard said she will take all her proceeds from the show and donate them to families and individuals in need. 

"It's a way of giving back," she said. "I'm very fortunate that I get to do this."

River Strand's Sandy Hill attended the show and sale with fellow River Strand friends Meryl McBride, Laurie Davis, Lois Smith and Sharol Leonard. 

Hill said she was amazed by the "really quality crafters" at the show.

Each of them walked out of the sale with something from one of the at least 16 artists selling their work. 

Lakewood Ranch's Carol Krah, who is the president of the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch, has been creating stained glass artwork for more than 30 years.
Lakewood Ranch's Carol Krah, who is the president of the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch, has been creating stained glass artwork for more than 30 years. "I love the variety of glass and the creativity you can use," she says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch's Mary Litle and Palmer Ranch's Barby Comins love participating in the Creative Arts Association Fall Art Show and Sale.
Lakewood Ranch's Mary Litle and Palmer Ranch's Barby Comins love participating in the Creative Arts Association Fall Art Show and Sale. "It's a wonderful time working with all of these great artists," Comins says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch's Mary Litle loves this necklace she made. She specialized in jewelry.
Lakewood Ranch's Mary Litle loves this necklace she made. She specialized in jewelry.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Palmer Ranch's Barby Comins shows off her favorite piece she's made.
Palmer Ranch's Barby Comins shows off her favorite piece she's made.
Photo by Liz Ramos
River Strand's Meryl McBride, Laurie Davis, Lois Smith, Sharol Leonard and Sandy Hill are amazed by the quality of crafts at the Creative Arts Association Fall Art Show and Sale.
River Strand's Meryl McBride, Laurie Davis, Lois Smith, Sharol Leonard and Sandy Hill are amazed by the quality of crafts at the Creative Arts Association Fall Art Show and Sale.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch's Susan Melgaard participates in her first Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch Fall Art Show and Sale.
Lakewood Ranch's Susan Melgaard participates in her first Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch Fall Art Show and Sale. "It's great to work with all the different artists and see all the different creativity everyone has," she says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Mill Creek's Wilma Kroese starts working on her Christmas ornaments in July.
Mill Creek's Wilma Kroese starts working on her Christmas ornaments in July.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Mill Creek's Wilma Kroese has started using feathers and horse hair in her glazed artwork.
Mill Creek's Wilma Kroese has started using feathers and horse hair in her glazed artwork. "I like to experiment," she says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Esplanade's Trice Ranellone looks at the selection of scarves.
Esplanade's Trice Ranellone looks at the selection of scarves.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Polo Run's Linda McMillan uses wine corks from Cooper's Hawk in Sarasota and golf tees to create her reindeer ornaments.
Polo Run's Linda McMillan uses wine corks from Cooper's Hawk in Sarasota and golf tees to create her reindeer ornaments.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Polo Run's Linda McMillan is always crafting and sewing. She loves to give her crafts as Christmas gifts.
Polo Run's Linda McMillan is always crafting and sewing. She loves to give her crafts as Christmas gifts.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch's Paula Colman has been painting with oils for 12 years. She has become more interested in painting water and sunsets.
Lakewood Ranch's Paula Colman has been painting with oils for 12 years. She has become more interested in painting water and sunsets.
Photo by Liz Ramos

 

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.

Latest News

The the site of the proposed 1899 Fruitville apartment development is outlined in red.
  • March 19, 2026
Proposed apartments would replace Breakfast House and more on Fruitville
The Well Sarasota would include 28 condominiums and 72 hotel/condo units.
  • March 19, 2026
Is the hotel/condo trend coming to Sarasota?
Beachgoers set up near and rest on one of two concrete permeable adjustable groins on the north end of Longboat Key.
  • March 18, 2026
Town eyes Gulfside Road for next beach groin project
Condos and single-family homes for sale dot the map of downtown Sarasota and its adjacent neighborhoods.
  • March 18, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee real estate market a mixed bag

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Sarasota's Tracy Tutton and Tania Cook, sisters from Canada, enjoy drinks while listening to Sweet Fleet at My Hometown Fest on March 21.
  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs
Lakewood Ranch's Kathleen Flesch, Sonia Levy, Jane Imperiale and Peri Ann Aptaker dress for the Palm Royale-themed Divas and Dogs fundraiser that will benefit The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.
  • March 21, 2026
Divas and Dogs brings together fashion and animal lovers
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April
Esplanade residents have an assembly line to stuff Comfort Cases backpacks to be delivered to foster kids.
  • March 18, 2026
Esplanade pulls together to support foster kids
Sarasota's Tony Mullet, Dianne Gardner, Annelle Mullet,
Dave Gardner and Denise Miller get their green on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Lakewood Main Street on March 17.
  • March 18, 2026
A green day on Lakewood Main Street to celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Preston Bowers volunteers for TOPSoccer, and Chris Collins manages the program.
  • March 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit soccer program is tops

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now