The perfect Florida weather lent itself to the 2025 Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Gala held on March 21. With temperatures in the low 60s, almost 300 guests donned their best shawls, furs and vests to beat the slight chill for this annual event.
On the bay lawn at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the tent was decorated with red flowers, centerpieces, lamps and candles each celebrating the Moulin Rouge (red mill) theme of the evening. Co-chaired by Susan and Jim Travers and Kara and Drayton Saunders, the event started with a cocktail reception and dinner followed by a live performance of "Moulin Rouge! The Musical."
A legacy gift from Louise Appleton recognizes Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto and Charlotte County educators who inspire students through arts education. Van Wezel Foundation Executive Director of Mission and Impact Kelli Maldonado introduced this year's honorees as Karim Manning, Ruslan Akhmadullin and Brooks Tracey.
Proceeds will go directly to art education and toward the development of the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center. Â
Luci LeClaire and Jillian Marto
Photo by Lori Sax
Tom and Tanya Morlock with Luci LeClaire
Photo by Lori Sax
Alexei Moskalenko, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko and Honoree Paul Seed
Photo by Lori Sax
Alexei Moskalenko, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, Co Chairs Jim and Susan Travers and Honoree Paul Seed
Photo by Lori Sax
Cindy Miller, Kathy and Gana Gilkey and Mette Milland
Photo by Lori Sax
Richard and Eve Biller
Photo by Lori Sax
Evelina Chernykh and Ruslan Akhmadullin
Photo by Lori Sax
Mark and Lori Mitchell, Elizabeth Wexler and David Koffman
Photo by Lori Sax
Doug Holder and Nicole Rhodes
Photo by Lori Sax
Tom and Tanya Morlock with Luci LeClaire
Photo by Lori Sax
Co-Chairs Drayton and Kara Saunders
Photo by Lori Sax
Stephanie and Lawrence Bailey
Photo by Lori Sax
Keely Karalis and Robinson Valverde
Photo by Lori Sax
Justin Kiger and Sunny Smith
Photo by Lori Sax
Sajid Khan and Julie Harris
Photo by Lori Sax
Randy and Maria Keith
Photo by Lori Sax
Stacey Calcano and Andy Klemmer
Photo by Lori Sax
John and Jana Bekavac
Photo by Lori Sax
Sissy Rezvanpour and Jonathan Burgiel
Photo by Lori Sax
Michael Saunders and Gwen MacKenzie
Photo by Lori Sax
Christa Sullivan and Gigi Rogers with Anna and Dillon Kiser
Photo by Lori Sax
Naiema and Donald Frieson
Photo by Lori Sax
The Rev. William and Anya Pardy with Nancy and Dan Bailey
Photo by Lori Sax
Dan and Tina Napoli
Photo by Lori Sax
Linda Kryzinski and Marlon Brown
Photo by Lori Sax
Amar, Paulomi, Swati and Pad Desai
Photo by Lori Sax
The centerpieces reflected the Moulin Rouge theme.
Photo by Lori Sax
Katherine Harris and Mary Gratehouse
Photo by Lori Sax
Sarasota Performing Arts CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko
Photo by Lori Sax
Sarasota Performing Arts CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, and Co-Chairs Susan and Jim Travers and Kara and Drayton Saunders
Photo by Lori Sax
The 2025 Louise Appleton awards were presented to Karim Manning, Ruslan Akhmadullin and Brooks Tracey by Kelli Maldonado from the Van Wezel Foundation.
Janet Combs
Kyle Battie, Carrie Dennison, Jeff Koffman and Toni-Ann Denicola-Koffman
