• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • 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
  • LWR Life
  • 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
  • LWR Life
  • 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
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Arts + Culture

Hugh Culverhouse Jr. and Embracing Our Differences Executive Director Sarah Wertheimer.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2024
Hugh and Eliza Culverhouse plug funding shortfall at Embracing Our Differences

The couple donated $107,463 to the nonprofit outdoor art exhibition promoting diversity.

  • Arts + Culture
Slack rope performer Antino Pansa defies gravity at the Summer Circus Spectacular, which runs through Aug. 17.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • July 17, 2024
Sarasota's summer circus expands from the beach to the mountains

The Circus Arts Conservatory stages summer shows at The Ringling and in the Berkshires.

  • Arts + Culture
The Sarasota Ballet won favor with London critics with such productions as Sir Frederick Ashton's "Dante Sonata," part of the program of "Ashton Celebrated" at the Royal Opera House.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • July 10, 2024
The Sarasota Ballet takes London by storm

The company's Royal Opera House residency was a stunning success.

  • Arts + Culture
Florida Studio Theatre's 14th annual Sarasota Improv Festival takes place July 12-13.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • July 3, 2024
Sarasota Improv Festival leaves the script behind

FST’s annual Sarasota Improv Festival creates spontaneous comedy with careful planning.

  • Arts + Culture
Brian Hersh spent more than 20 years in the field of nonprofit arts administration before becoming president and CEO of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County in June 2023.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • July 1, 2024
What Florida state budget cuts mean for Sarasota arts

Arts and Cultural Alliance CEO Brian Hersh talks about the community's response.

  • Arts + Culture
A painting by Frank Hopper.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 27, 2024
Palm Avenue gallery acquires Sarasota-centric artwork from airport

The paintings by local artists Regan Dunnick and Frank Hopper will eventually be displayed for the public.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jack Dowd's "Last Call," a life-sized installation of a New York tavern, runs through Aug. 16 at Ringling College's Stulberg Gallery.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 26, 2024
Jack Dowd's 'Last Call' gets another round at Ringling College

The life-sized installation of a mythical New York City tavern was last seen in Sarasota in 2001.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb displays the National Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement that he received in London on June 3.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 23, 2024
Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb wins prestigious dance award

Webb has been honored with the British National Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement.

  • Arts + Culture
Rebecca Hopkins, managing director of Florida Studio Theatre, has been elected vice president of the board of the League of Resident Theatres.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 22, 2024
FST managing director elected officer of nationwide regional theater group

Rebecca Hopkins is vice president of the board of the League of Resident Theatres.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota Opera names Melissa Voigt development director
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 21, 2024
Sarasota Opera names Melissa Voigt development director

Voigt previously held the position from 2002-09, when she led fundraising efforts for the opera house's renovation.

  • Arts + Culture
Brian Finnerty and Amanda Heisey spent more than a decade on stage with each other at area theaters before getting married in January.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 19, 2024
Newlyweds found love and theater in Sarasota

Brian Finnerty and Amanda Heisey have been sharing stages in the area for nearly a decade.

  • Arts + Culture
Ringling College of Art and Design student Matthew Peterson, winner of the first Ringling College Film Carl Foreman award, and Foreman's widow, Eve Williams-Jones.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 12, 2024
Matthew Peterson wins new Carl Foreman Award at Ringling College

Peterson won for "Swan Song," his film about a film student and his father living with Alzheimer's.

  • Arts + Culture
Charmaine Hunter
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 12, 2024
Sarasota Ballet names community engagement director

Charmaine Hunter was previously director of community enrichment for Orlando Ballet.

  • Arts + Culture
Jack Dowd's "Last Call," a life-sized installation of a New York tavern, runs through Aug. 16 at Ringling College's Stulberg Gallery.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 5, 2024
Five Sarasota arts events you won't want to miss this summer

All performances are affordable and take place in air-conditioned venues.

  • Arts + Culture
"Love Junkie" gives Robert Plunket fans another fix
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • May 31, 2024
"Love Junkie" gives Robert Plunket fans another fix

The Sarasota septuagenarian's second novel has been republished just in time for summer reading season.

  • Arts + Culture
« 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 »
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 News

Sponsored Content
1
  • December 4, 2025
Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival
2
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
3
The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights
4
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall
5
Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author

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 © 2025 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