• 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

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
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • May 29, 2024
Sarasota Music Fest celebrates 60 years by defying convention

Under Music Director Jeffrey Kahane, the festival will explore improvisation and cross musical boundaries.

  • Arts + Culture
Jonathan Smith's indie film, "Guy Friends" follows a woman pursuing her first female friendship.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • May 27, 2024
Sarasota filmmaker follows female friendship in 'Guy Friends'

The film by Jonathan Smith premieres May 31 in Sarasota, New York and Los Angeles.

  • Arts + Culture
"Ed's Shed" of Safety Harbor, Florida, will appear June 7 and 9 at the second annual Squeaky Wheel Fringe festival.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • May 26, 2024
Squeaky Wheel puts Sarasota on the fringe festival map

The festival's second year features new and returning performers plus hassle-free ticketing.

  • Arts + Culture
Keith Alessi brings his show, "Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life" to the second annual Squeaky Wheel Fringe festival.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • May 26, 2024
A former CEO combines fringe and philanthropy

Keith Alessi donates the proceeds from his fringe show, "Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life," to charity.

  • Arts + Culture
« 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 »
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

1
Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
  • April 10, 2026
Manatee County Commission changes course on Bradenton EDC
2
Drugs, cash and a rifle bullet were among the items found by Sarasota Police in a search of a 31st Way home, resulting in the arrest of Demarius R. Jones, of Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sarasota man on probation arrested on drug, other charges
3
Rod Brogan and Rachel Moulton star in Florida Studio Theatre's "Birthday Candles."
  • April 10, 2026
Today and tomorrow take the stage in Florida Studio Theatre's 'Birthday Candles'
4
Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sushi restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District
5
Helga Williams
  • April 9, 2026
Helga Williams

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.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free