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Arts + Culture

“We Are All Pearls” by Brazilian artist Whittney de Araujo references Johannes Vermeer’s famous “Girl With a Pearl Earring” painting as a way to illustrate that beauty in art isn’t only relegated to the classic blond-haired, blue-eyed muse.
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • January 11, 2023
Art exhibition's tribute to cultural diversity goes on the road

Now in its 20th season, the outdoor juried exhibition "Embracing Our Differences" will open Jan. 22 at Bayfront Park.

  • Arts + Culture
Frank Galati when he directed Asolo Rep’s 2011 season-opener “My Fair Lady.”
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • January 9, 2023
Sarasota theater community mourns loss of stage legend Frank Galati

The two-time Tony Award winner and Asolo Rep associate artist died Jan. 2. He was 79 years old.

  • Arts + Culture
Stephen Spencer and Dekyi Rongé star in "Birds of North America."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 6, 2023
Urbanite director talks birds, barriers and the ticking clock of new play

“Birds of North America” looks at love, life and change at Urbanite Theatre. Summer Dawn Wallace shares why she made time to direct it.

  • Arts + Culture
Pilobolus brings its celebration of human movement to the Van Wezel March 7.
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • January 4, 2023
6 arts events to look forward to in 2023

Check out these don't-miss events of this season in Sarasota.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
The Van Gogh immersive exhibit was extended twice and ended in August instead of the original plan to end in April.
  • By Spencer Fordin
  • December 28, 2022
2022: A return to normalcy for local arts

The latest year in Sarasota's arts community saw a return to a full slate of performances and customers returning to their places in theater spaces.

  • Arts + Culture
Lea Sevola plays Vivienne Kensington in the touring production of "Legally Blonde."
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • December 26, 2022
A special ovation for 'Legally Blonde' actor at Van Wezel

Lea Sevola will get a chance to spend holidays home with her family, and then she'll get right back on the stage for the touring production of "Legally Blonde."

  • Arts + Culture
The demon Andhaka spies on Shiva and Parvati in a 19th century watercolor.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • December 21, 2022
'Gods and Lovers' exhibit highlights famous cultural tales

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art's exhibit pays tribute to centuries of Indian paintings and sculpture.

  • Arts + Culture
Emma Weber will act as one of the clowns at Sailor Circus Holiday Special.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 20, 2022
Sailor Circus prepares for a whimsical holiday spectacle

The Circus Arts Conservatory's Sailor Circus Academy is getting ready to perform at next week’s Sailor Circus Holiday Special.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Emelia Perkins, Yuki Nonaka, and Sierra Abelado in Sir Frederick Ashton's "Les Patineurs"
  • By Sara Rachon
  • December 20, 2022
Sarasota Ballet gives unforgettable performance 'At Night'

The triple bill of Program 3 delights by pairing an old favorite perfect for the winter season with a company premiere before ending with a crowd pleaser.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
The Sarasota Orchestra's proposal is for a new music center on Fruitville Road west of I-75.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 16, 2022
Orchestra's plans for new center approved by Planning Commission

The Fruitville Road site gains approval recommendation and heads to the County Commission for final consideration in January.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Javi Suarez stands in front of his painting of his dad, Javier Suarez, as part of his Sarasota Icons exhibit at Art Ovation.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • December 14, 2022
Local artist paints local heroes larger than life

Javi Suárez didn't want to just sketch out Sarasota's historic figures. He wanted to make them iconic.

  • Arts + Culture
Mara Torres González stands outside her gallery, Mara Art Studio + Gallery, in the Rosemary District in October 2022.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • December 12, 2022
Artist keeps living in the eye of the storm

Mara Torres González wanted to celebrate her art documenting a natural disaster. And then she lived through another one.

  • Arts + Culture
Asolo Rep Teaching Artist Imani Williams casts spells with summer camp students during Enchantment week.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • December 10, 2022
Asolo Rep courts parents and kids for a day at the theater

The new PlayDate program introduces workshops tied to performances for children and their parents.

  • Arts + Culture
Jim Prosser and Rebecca Hopkins work on the development of Laughing Matters in 2009.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • December 7, 2022
FST pianist thrives in crafting the music of cabarets

He’s the indispensable man behind the music. For three decades, Jim Prosser has been Florida Studio Theatre's Piano Man.

  • Arts + Culture
More than 2 million lights line the trees at Selby Gardens for Lights in Bloom, and it takes nearly 2,000 hours to hang them all.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • December 6, 2022
Local couple illuminates Selby Gardens for 'Lights in Bloom'

Carolyn and Phil Babas are the couple who design the annual holiday spectacle at Selby Gardens. And they're not sure they ever want to retire.

  • Arts + Culture
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