An Unconventional Evening delivers an interactive Valentine

Under the direction of Sarasota Art Museum's Special Event Planner Laura Stuart Wood, SAM held a Valentine celebration Feb. 14. Titled "An Unconventional Evening" 90 guests were immersed in a fluid experience that took them back to the 1940s and included swing music by the St. Petersburg band, Breezin', tarot card readers, a cigarette girl with a box of treats including candy cigarettes, flash portrait artists, salsa dancers and a dessert bar to sweeten even the most sour of palates.

SAM's in-house caterer Constellation Culinary Group provided a mouth-watering dinner, and the dessert reception was held in the Koski Gallery where the Judy Pfaff exhibition is on view. A harp player entertained while after dinner drinks were served, and a Greek goddess of love handed out love tokens to the guests, who were attired in romantic clothing.

This is the third Unconventional Evening, and SAM's executive director, Virginia Shearer, welcomed guests and thanked everyone for attending and their continued support.

With support from a Museum Advisory Committee, Sarasota Art Museum is governed by the Ringling College Board of Trustees and is housed in the renovated and repurposed Sarasota High School and born out of the vision of 13 forward-thinking Sarasota residents. Dedicated to contemporary art, the installations and exhibitions aim to provoke thought and push boundaries.