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Arts + Culture

Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes events on the beach adjacent to its campus.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 18, 2025
Artist retreat receives more than $300,000 in grants

The grants will help fund Hermitage Artist Retreat's operations, storm recovery and programming.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A crowd scene of Cypriot art acquired by John Ringling in 1928 is the centerpiece of the new Gallery 12 at The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 18, 2025
John Ringling's Cypriot treasures get a permanent gallery for the first time

Consulting curator Joanna Smith discusses a decadelong journey to open Gallery 12 at The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

  • Arts + Culture
Architecture Sarasota's MOD Weekend 2025 kicks off with a party at the Umbrella House, designed by Paul Rudolph in 1953 for Philip Hiss. Both were members of the Sarasota School of Architecture.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • November 12, 2025
Architecture Sarasota makes a MODest proposal

Learn about signature Sarasota buildings and have fun along the way during Architecture Sarasota's MOD Weekend.

  • Arts + Culture
Daredevil clown Johnny Rockett, the Grinch and superstar aerialist Nik Wallenda pose in front of Wonderland's new tent near UTC.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • November 11, 2025
Nik Wallenda teams up with LECOM for holiday circus

The medical college bought three-year naming rights to the new Wonderland tent.

  • Arts + Culture
Asolo Repertory Theatre Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein and Michael Saunders, founder and CEO of her eponymous real estate firm, at the Hulaween gala in New York City on Oct. 24.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • November 8, 2025
Asolo Rep costume shop wins second at Bette Midler's Hulaween

A Sarasota team dressed by Asolo Repertory Theatre won second place in the costume contest at Bette Midler's annual fundraiser for the New York Restoration Project.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota Orchestra Music Director will conduct a Masterworks concert at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall from Nov. 7-9.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • November 5, 2025
Sarasota Orchestra's new maestro is the man of the hour

Giancarlo Guerrero's arrival as the seventh music director of the Sarasota Orchestra heralds a period of expansion.

  • Arts + Culture
Under the leadership of Steven Phillips, Via Nova Chorale merged with Choral Artists of Sarasota.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • November 4, 2025
Via Nova Chorale finds a new way following its merger with Choral Artists

Under the leadership of Steven Phillips, the organization has emerged as Sarasota's second largest choral group.

  • Arts + Culture
Jacqueline Morales, Alan Kim and Corrie Owens star in Kate Hamill's adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, "Emma," which runs at FSU/Asolo Conservatory from Nov. 7-23.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 3, 2025
FSU/Asolo Conservatory brings Jane Austen's 'Emma' to life

Kate Hamill's play features students in their second year of a three-year master's program.

  • Arts + Culture
"Cosi fan tutte" runs at Sarasota Opera from Oct. 31 through Nov. 15.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • October 29, 2025
Sarasota Opera revives a fall tradition with 'Così fan tutte'

The production of Mozart's playful look at infidelity ends a hiatus of two years for full-blown fall shows.

  • Arts + Culture
The inaugural Living Arts Festival Sarasota was held Nov. 10-17, 2024.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • October 28, 2025
Living Arts Festival Sarasota launches its sophomore edition

This year's fest puts the focus firmly on youth.

  • Arts + Culture
Raleigh Moseley II and Jazzmin Carson star in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's "Purlie," which runs through Nov. 9.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • October 22, 2025
A theater critic presents his picks for the fall season

A Black preacher, movie monsters and stranded travelers are among the characters on Sarasota stages.

  • Arts + Culture
George Nickson and Samantha Bennett, co-founders and co-artistic directors of enSRQ, kick off their 10th season with "Tangled Whispers" on Oct. 27.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • October 20, 2025
A contemporary classical music troupe grows in Sarasota

Samantha Bennett and George Nickson are kicking off enSRQ's 10th season.

  • Arts + Culture
Ricardo Graziano, Sierra Abelardo and other members of the Sarasota Ballet will perform the premiere of Jessica Lang's "The Lorenz Butterfly."
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • October 15, 2025
How Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb puts the pieces together

The Royal Ballet veteran likens programming a season to assembling a puzzle.

  • Arts + Culture
Don Walker, production manager of the 2025 Theatre Odyssey One-Act Play Festival, and Olivia Yagy starred in “Tagged” by Jim Moss, winner of Theatre Odyssey's 2018 One-Act Play Festival.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • October 14, 2025
Theatre Odyssey revives its One-Act Play Festival

The festival returns to the Jane B. Cook Theatre after a two-year hiatus.

  • Arts + Culture
Ariel Aparicio-Jerro has taken over the reins of WSLR/Fogartyville from founders Arlene Sweeting and David Beaton.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • October 10, 2025
Fogartyville hosts free concert and annual open house

Walter Parks and the Unlawful Assembly will perform Sunday, Oct. 12.

  • Arts + Culture
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Latest News

1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
2
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
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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