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Arts + Culture

Connie Schindewolf is excited to be participating in Theatre Odyssey's Ten-Minute Play Festival. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 30, 2022
Theatre Odyssey spurs playwright's metamorphosis

Connie Schindewolf gained courage to show her art to the world by participating in the Ten-Minute Play Festival.

  • Arts + Culture
Andy Sandberg, Shariffa Ali and Flora Major celebrate the announcement of the Hermitage Major Theater Award on Wednesday. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 26, 2022
Shariffa Ali wins Hermitage Major Theater Award

Theater-maker Shariffa Ali enjoyed a life-changing moment on Wednesday evening when she accepted a $35,000 commission from the Hermitage Artist Retreat.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 25, 2022
Mourners find restful oasis in Patriot Plaza

A public-private partnership yields special art and amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery.

  • Arts + Culture
Carol Doenecke with "I've Got the Bird."
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 24, 2022
Longboat Key artist Carol Doenecke presents in All Angels gallery

Doenecke usually chooses the selected artists for the gallery, but for June, she chose herself.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Jim Hill, a retired career U.S. Marine, will play with the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble at the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 19, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble features own veterans during holiday concerts.

Lakewood Ranch Tribute to Heroes Parade, Sarasota National Cemetery host concerts to honor veterans.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Christian Sampson's experiments with color and light have resulted in his largest work to date, "Vita in Motu." (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 18, 2022
Ringling alum's creations require a glass of a different color

Christian Sampson grew up in Bradenton, and his work with dichroic glass has landed him at the Sarasota Art Museum.

  • Arts + Culture
Art & Soul students like Sofia Basile, Juliana Fazio, Irelynn Ettinger and Raelynn Dine can choose from classes that include jazz, ballet, tap and hip hop. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 18, 2022
Founder of Art & Soul believes dance can be transformative for people of all ages

Alana Turner harnesses the power of dance to change lives.

  • LWR Life
Barbara Gerdeman and Elizabeth Goodwill are taking dramatic license to get their Creative Liberties off the ground. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 14, 2022
Artists open business to help other artists

Barbara Gerdeman and Elizabeth Goodwill want nothing more than to create art and to help other artists in achieving their goals.

  • Arts + Culture
The painting by Yulner Diaz will be auctioned off at the May 20 performance at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 11, 2022
UnidosNow underlines its mission in 10th anniversary event

The nonprofit empowering the Sarasota and Manatee Latino population is celebrating its belated 10th anniversary with an event that aims to celebrate the union of culture and tradition.

  • Arts + Culture
Braden River High School's Ricardo Robinson-Shinall is Florida Studio Theatre’s Write a Play educator of the year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 10, 2022
Braden River High teacher and students earn Florida Studio Theatre's Write a Play awards

Braden River students' story of snack envy leads to Write a Play award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Paul Slade Smith and director Bianca LaVerne Jones in the rehearsal room for Eureka Day. (Courtesy photo: Sophia Marquart)
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 9, 2022
A funny thing happened on the way to the safe space

Laughter is contagious in the Asolo Rep’s upcoming production of “Eureka Day.” Here’s a diagnosis of where the humor comes from.

  • Arts + Culture
Alan Cresto and Robert Rogers helped usher this photography project into a full-blown museum exhibit. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 6, 2022
Ringling hosts student photography exhibit

Many of these students had never touched a camera before. No worries; their eyes still produced fantastic results.

  • Arts + Culture
It might feel like a ballgame, but it's an orchestra performing outdoors. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 4, 2022
Sarasota Orchestra and Ed Smith Stadium prep for Outdoor Pops

The Sarasota Orchestra's Outdoor Pops concert is back after a two-year hiatus, and Iconic Songs of the 1970s are on the itinerary.

  • Arts + Culture
Miss Marina Elaine is using alluring audiences with her imagination and her showmanship. (Courtesy photo)
  • By Spencer Fordin
  • May 2, 2022
Hard Heart Burlesque whets audience appetite

It's one thing to get on stage and give an audience everything within you. It's quite another to do that while disrobing.

  • Arts + Culture
Patti Smith sang and read from her poetry and shared remembrances of Robert Mapplethorpe during her February appearance. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • April 29, 2022
Selby Gardens tabs Patti Smith as Artist in Residence

Patti Smith was moved by the Selby Gardens exhibit featuring her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe — so much so that she'll come back again and again.

  • Arts + Culture
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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
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Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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