A 'gift from the heart' offered at Lakewood Ranch art show

By Madison Bierl
| 1:00 p.m. November 16, 2025

Sarasota's Julia Wilhelm and Renee Myers check out the pieces of art for sale at LKM Fanciful Creations by Linda McMillan.

East County
Neighbors

Despite not inheriting artistic genes, Lakewood Ranch's Jo Jadin can appreciate beautiful artwork on display.

Surrounded by friendly chatter and artwork of various mediums, she enjoyed her experience browsing the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch's Fall Art Show and Sale on Nov. 15 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

"Many of the artists are retired like me and having a creative outlet like they do is so important to staying young at heart," Jadin said. "My favorite part was buying a pair of fun and funky earrings (from Susan Perry) that make me feel young at heart."

Rosedale's Ruth Anderson has been attending the show for years and said it feels like a reunion with the artists each time.

"I know the time, effort, and creativity that goes into every unique piece," Anderson said. "Something handmade means so much more than manufactured merchandise. It is a gift from the heart."

Lakewood Ranch's Abby Mathews and Englewood's Mackenzie Mills pose with artwork they purchased from Stacey Lipton Interiors.

Jewelry designer Elaine Vaughn has been part of the art show and sale for the past 18 years. She made 200 necklaces for the event.

Patty Notarianni sells an acrylic painting to Rosedale's Ruth Anderson. Anderson said the lovely colors and contemporary style caught her eye.

Carole Lewis, who sells mixed media art pieces, gets a visit from her good friend Pam Ellis. Ellis describes the mixed media pieces as cheerful, beautiful, creative and original.

Gail Cristello of Artwork by Gail visits with Venice's Laura and Tim Eaton as they browse through her items for sale.

Susan Perry sells a pair of homemade earrings to Lakewood Ranch's Jo Jadin, who describes the earrings as fun and different.

Lakewood Ranch's Pam Kean goes to the sale every year and couldn't leave without purchasing a couple of collapsible bread baskets from Linda McMillan's booth LKM Fanciful Creations.

WKP Pottery's Wilma Kroese visits with Mimi Enos, a client she has for her other business WK Sewing.

Stacey Lipton helps to bag up a hummingbird themed art piece purchased by Lakewood Ranch's Raymond Rahi. Rahi said she is incredible and he loves birds and the colors used.

Barb Kaplan, who sells functional ceramics, reunites with Sue Kerr who is usually a vendor in the show herself with raku fired pottery. Kerr said she is good friends with the vendors and was happy to see them as she hasn't seen them in a while.

Benise Jones and Kim DePoy bond about both living in Esplanade at Azario. DePoy purchased a decorated sticky note pad and a custom journal from Jones.

For her business, Seashell Decor and More, Audrey Freeman uses thin paper or napkins to modge podge designs on natural shells with the goal of making it look handpainted.

Lisa Sweeney of Artwork by Lisa gets festive with her Christmas themed resin ornaments.

Palmetto's Micki Gaughan and Laurie Gerstein couldn't leave the sale without purchasing pieces from Patty Notarianni and Linda McMillan.

author

Madison Bierl

Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.