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MOONLIT WONDER
Indulge in culinary delights, sip delicious signature cocktails, and dance the night away in the glow of the moonlight. We invite you to discover a hidden world of nocturnal beauty at this breathtaking evening in support of our urgent and vital work
Tickets and sponsorships available now Visit conservationfoundation.com/party2024 or scan the QR code to learn more and register today!
Event proceeds support Conservation Foundation’s vital mission to protect the land and water of Southwest Florida for the benefit of people and nature
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FestIVALs, FAIRs, AnD FALL FUn
spooktacular seasonal events
A DAzzLing showcAse oF ARts AnD cULtURe the inaugural living arts festival
By Tom Reese
LIFe In BLooM at selby gardens’ annual orchid show
By Christine Isaac
honoRIng eXceLLence
scf welcomes 7th president with focus on student excellence and Increasing graduation rates
By Christy Pessemier
FoXY FALL FAshIon seasonal looks from foxy lady
On the COver illustration of lights at spooky point by darcy kelly-laviolette.
Luxury Retirement Living On Sarasota Bay
from the • p UBL ishe R
his month, fall in love with fall, our cooler temps, and the sights and sounds of our town as they fall into full swing.
From pumpkins to spooks to beer fests, cook-offs, and sidewalk art, we’ve got a month of festivals and fairs for your enjoyment. The atmosphere for all will be fun and who knows, you also may make some new friends once you’re out there. You can find these happenings in this issue, so be sure to get out there and be “scene!”
We go “Around Town” with Maestro Victor DeRenzi, artistic director at Sarasota Opera. Maestro has made Sarasota Opera world known, and he has been the driving force of Sarasota Opera for more than 40 years. Learn more about Maestro DeRenzi in this issue and most of all, get your seats now for both Sarasota Opera’s fall and winter season.
November 10 marks the opening of events for an exciting new festival in town—the Living Arts Festival—the brainchild of the former artistic director of The Players, Jeffery Kin. Jeffery has started Sarasota Rising, a new nonprofit that unites and celebrates varied arts organizations from the largest to the smallest. The week-long festival will include performances and exhibitions along with other exciting offerings. You can learn more in this issue and at sarasotarising.org/the-festival.
Selby Gardens President & CEO Jennifer Rominieki is excited to share news in this issue about the upcoming Selby Orchid Show plus the artistin-residence exhibition Patti Smith: Book of Days . The color purple will be front and center and the Gardens for the Orchid Show, which will include a luncheon, and a special evening enhanced by Sarasota Opera performances. The Patti Smith exhibition will feather outdoor prints of Smith’s photographs and visitors to Selby’s Historic Spanish Point campus will be able to take a metaphorical journey through time and space.
And while you’re rocking the festivals, you’ll want to look your best. Take a look in this issue at some of our best fall fashion courtesy of what is undoubtedly the most widely known ladies’ shop in town—Foxy Lady. With a St. Armands and Siesta Key location, I haven’t met a woman who doesn’t love to shop there!
State College of Florida starts its school season with a new president! We welcome Tommy Gregory and wish him well on his new journey. Please learn more about Tommy and his vision and goals for SCF for today and tomorrow. SCF is so important to our community and its high-quality instruction has resulted in many successful careers for people in our town.
In our monthly philanthropy article, we proudly feature a “guardian angel”— Kathleen Cellura. For years, Cellura has worked tirelessly to help an array of causes with missions in human services, the arts, animal welfare, education,
H JOHN KNOWLES, PUBLISHER john@scenesarasota.com
the environment and more. As a community, we are very fortunate that her fund at Community Foundation of Sarasota County will ensure her goodness endures.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties is our “Education Matters” feature this month. Under the leadership of Bill Sadlo, BGCSDC is making great strides, investing in the future and education of local youth. The organization’s strategy is guided by that national Boys & Girls Clubs of America “Future Ready” blueprint, which focuses on health and wellness, character and leadership, academic success, and life and workforce readiness. I encourage you to read this article and learn more about this new program and ways you can help.
When it comes to our magazine content, each month I love chatting with those featured or mentioned each month in Sarasota Scene . Last month’s September Arts & Culture issue was particularly well received, with many requests for extra copies, emails of gratitude, and calls of praise for our coverage.
One notable conversation was with Nate Jacobs of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Nate and I are good friends and when we talk, we mix our conversation with serious topics and lighthearted observations. Nate and WBTT were our cover story last month in celebration of WBTT’s 25 th anniversary. The excitement in our conversation was amazing. When Nate shared that being featured in Sarasota Scene contributed to their national recognition, I felt overwhelmed and honored. I am looking forward to WBTT’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. I may even wear my sparkly blue sneakers that I wore to last year’s Soul Gala.
The energy we get from the people, organizations and businesses featured in the magazine, and particularly our cover stories, is truly incredible. I wish we had 50 covers a year to feature all the wonderful people and organizations in our community.
If you like what you read in this issue, please reach out and tell us at john@scenesarasota.com! We’d love to hear from you!
H JOHN KNOWLES, PUBLISHER john@scenesarasota.com
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OCT 2024 EVENTS CALENDAR
For a full list of fall festivals and halloween events, see page 54.
octo B er 2
ATLANTA BRAVES FARMER’S MARKET
Join the Braves for the season’s first farmer’s market at CoolToday park. Every Wednesday from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM through March 2025. CoolToday Park | bravesfarmersmarket.org
octo B er 3
RINGLING UNDERGROUND
Enjoy live music, art and atmosphere in the Ringling Museum courtyard from 8:00 PM –11:00 PM.
Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard | ringling.org
Dean Burry
Nov. 9 & 10, 2024
Sarasota Youth Opera
Pietro Mascagni AND
Ruggero Leoncavallo
Feb. 15 – March 29, 2025
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
March 8 – 28, 2025
Nov. 15 & 17, 2024
THE BARBER OF SEVILLE
Gioachino Rossini
Feb. 22 – March 29, 2025
STIFFELIO
Giuseppe Verdi
March 15 – 30, 2025
Sample the best local sangrias, margaritas and appetizers in support of Parenting Matters, an organization with a mission to advance the lives of children, together with their parents. Manatee County Fairgrounds | sangaritashowdown.com
FRIDAY FEST
Big Night Out is closing out the Friday Fest season with an electrifying performance featuring Latin, R&B and island dance music. Van Wezel Lawn | vanwezel.org
MUSIC ON MAIN
Celebrate the first Friday of October on Lakewood Ranch Main Street with the Alan Grant Band playing rock, blues and country music. Lakewood Ranch Main Street | lakewoodranch.com
octo B er 5
AUTUMN HARVEST DINNER
Part of All Faith Food Bank’s fall harvest campaign, this event raises funds for programs that provide fresh fruit and vegetables to people struggling with hunger. All Faiths Food Bank | allfaithsfoodbank.org
SHARKTOBERFEST
Mote’s annual craft beer festival features local and regional breweries offering samples of their staple selections alongside unique, seasonal brews. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium | mote.org
WEEKENDS STARTING OCTOBER 5
FRUITVILLE GROVE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Several fall activities including face and pumpkin painting, costume contests, train and hay rides, petting zoo, carnival games and performances by the Torres Family Circus.
Fruitville Grove Farm | frutivillegrovefarm.com
18TH ANNUAL MASTER GARDENER
VOLUNTEER PLANT SALE AND ED FEST
Learn about hundreds of Florida-friendly plants from the experts at the University of Florida. Twin Lakes Park | sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu
octo B er 5-6
28TH ANNUAL DOWNTOWN
SARASOTA CRAFT FESTIVAL
Browse a variety of jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, paintings, exotic flowers, handmade soaps, gourmet spices and more. Orange Avenue and Main Street | escape-to-sarasota.com
VENICE HOME SHOW
View and interact with the home improvement industry’s hottest products of 2024.
Venice Community Center | venicehomeshow.com
octo B er 6
MORTON’S FIREHOUSE
CHILI COOK-OFF
Stop by Morton’s Market and try some amazing chili while supporting our local firefighters. Morton’s Market | mortonsmarket.com
octo B er 9-31
LIGHTS AT SPOOKY POINT
Lights at Spooky Point is back with an array of spooky creatures and seasonal lighting along a path through the woods. Refreshments available for purchase.
Historic Spanish Point | selby.org
octo B er 11
MUSIC IN THE PARK
Bring a chair, friends and your leashed pups to this free family-friendly music series event.
Celebrate fall at Hunsader’s with live music and shows, games, hay rides, food, petting zoo, train rides, pumpkins and more.
Hunsader Farms | hunsaderfarms.com
octo B er 11–12
JAGUAR FESTIVAL D’ELEGANCE
Walk through a display of Jaguar automobiles and interact with British car enthusiasts from all over Florida in St. Armands park.
St. Armand’s Circle | starmandscircleassoc.com
AMERICAN VINTAGE MARKETPLACE
This festive marketplace features all things recycled, re-purposed, and re-imagined – perfect for scouting out a unique gift for someone special or vintage-inspired home décor.
Robarts Arena | americanvintagemarkets.com
octo B er 18-20
SUN FIESTA
Bed races, parade and Miss Sun Fiesta pageant with arts and crafts, food and drink and live performances.
Centennial Park | escape-to-sarasota.com
octo B er 19
8TH ANNUAL BIG MAMA’S COLLARD GREENS FESTIVAL
This annual event is a celebration of community and culture, with influence from Cajun, Creole, Southern and Caribbean styles. Robert L. Taylor Community Complex | givebutter.com/ bigmama24
WATER LANTERN FESTIVAL
Experience the magic of thousands of lanterns on the lake at Nathan Benderson Park. Each ticket includes a lantern kit, access to food trucks, commemorative drawstring bag, music and fun. Nathan Benderson Park | waterlanternfestival.com
Friday, November 8, 2024 11:00 a m - 1:00 p m
Michael’s on East 1212 S East Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239
Join us for an inspiring afternoon as we celebrate scholarship recipients and honor the generosity of our supporters. Enjoy a savory lunch, a performance by the SCF Presidential String Quartet, and remarks from SCF President Tommy Gregory.
EMMA VARGA (AUSTRALIA)
octo B er 19-20
SARASOTA CELTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL
A fun fusion of beer-swilling, kilt-sporting, lederhosenloving merriment and live music. Motorworks Brewing | celtoberfest.org
19TH ANNUAL HUNGARIAN FESTIVAL
Enjoy Hungarian food, sport, dance, archery, games, live music and more.
Sarasota County Fairgrounds | gffusa.org
BACK TO ANGOLA FESTIVAL
Learn about our region’s shared history with Red Bays, Andros, Bahamas, and the early 1800’s Maroon community known as Angola.
Manatee Mineral Springs Park | Eventbrite.com
11TH ANNUAL ARCADIA FALL PRCA RODEO
This championship rodeo features bull riding, bareback and saddle riding, steer wrestling, tie down roping, team roping and barrel racing. Mosaic Arena | arcadiarodeo.com VISIT SCENESARASOTA.COM
to submit your event for consideration, please send information to publisher@scenesarasota.com
2–SMHF ROCK THE ROOF: Come party like it’s 1999 and support Women and Children’s Services at SMH. Features live music from SMH doctor bands and a DJ. SMH-Sarasota’s West Parking Garage | smhf.org
9–CONSERVATION FOUNDATION’S PARTY IN PARADISE: Experience the beauty of nature after dark as you step into a world of Moonlit Wonder. Enjoy mocktails and non-alcoholic options from Tap and Toast Mobile Bar, performances by Sound Society, and catering from Michael’s On East.
Historic Bay Preserve | conservationfoundation.org
23–BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN GALA: Presented in honor of Caldwell Trust Company’s dedication to youth over the past 30 years, guests will enjoy a cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, program and silent auction.
Lee Wetherington Boys and Girls Club | bgcsdc.org
Guardian Angel
The Many Pursuits of Kathleen F. Cellura
By Rebecca Abrahamson of Community Foundation of Sarasota County • Photo by Maggie Martinez
At 87 years, Kathi Cellura has energy that belies her age. She moves around her villa with apparent ease, presenting her meticulously arranged collections of angels, cat statues, and stuffed bears, plucking one here or there to share the story of its provenance. A number of these were loving gifts given to Kathi from the many people whose lives she’s touched.
“I’m going to need a bigger villa,” she laughs. “Look at all these angels.”
For 30 years, Cellura’s made a name for herself as a generous philanthropist whose sweeping impact covers an enormous range of causes. Many in our community know her as a dapper fixture at fundraising events, someone instantly recognizable by the many colorful and stylish hats she wears, giving her an air of Southern charm.
In 1995, she established the Kathleen F. Cellura Foundation at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support a variety of organizations—with missions in human services, the arts, animal welfare, education, the environment and more. She has also thoughtfully established a Future Fund at the Community Foundation to ensure that the legacy of her benevolence
endures, with nearly two dozen organizations that range in various cause areas as beneficiaries of her philanthropy.
While her gifts have been prodigious, she’s chosen a life of simplicity. Instead of opting for indulgence, she’s spent years researching how to make the most of the money she’s earned throughout a long career spanning four decades and encompassing several occupations—as a teacher, real estate broker, and published author. A woman who’s always been ahead of her time, Cellura was the original multi-hyphenate. And for the last several decades, she has embraced every opportunity available to enhance her community, donating her time, talent and treasure to make the world a better place.
Small Child, Big Heart
Cellura noticed at an early age that she possessed an unusual capacity for compassion. One of her earliest memories, at the popular amusement park at Canandaigua Lake in western New York where her family owned a summer cottage, involves recognizing the plight of those less fortunate.
Noticing a poorly clad child eyeing a special treat Cellura’s father had purchased from a park purveyor, she could sense the child longed for her goodie. Cellura watched
“Until you walk in the moccasins of another person, stop and think, it could be me.”
as the child pled with her own father to buy a treat, the father sadly shaking his head, making it clear that was a request he couldn’t afford.
Cellura’s eyes still well with tears when she thinks of it, her natural empathy surfacing any time she considers inequity or injustice.
“Until you walk in the moccasins of another person, stop and think, it could be me,” she says.
Since that day, when she was just 10 years old, she’s used this power of observation and the pursuit of fairness to propel her action. This has been the case whether that was choosing to teach at an inner-city Rochester school in the heated wake of Rochester’s race riots of 1964—a decision she made so that she could have a positive impact on young people of color—or supporting the Women’s Resource Center to empower women experiencing hardship to take control of their lives. In one such move, she has promised her car, a pristine, low-mileage Camry, to the Women’s Resource Center to give to a working mother with children who is in need.
Legacy through Letters
While philanthropy and community involvement have played a vital part in Cellura’s contribution to the world, she also took to another reliable legacy-builder: the written word.
In 2011, after “realizing that the written word is a form of immortality,” she published a novel, “Forever Footprints.” The loosely biographical novel, based on the true most unusual story of a dog rescue, emphasizes themes common to Cellura’s life: that doing good for others reaps gifts that are meaningful and lasting. Love, the book suggests, is a gift that lasts forever and love costs nothing to give away.
The book is more than a message to the world; its proceeds have gone directly to the Kathleen F. Cellura Foundation. From there, she invested those dollars back into South Sarasota County, where most of her giving is concentrated.
Powering through Difficulty
While Cellura’s spry gait and sharp wit give her an ageless quality, in truth she’s been dealing with autoimmune diseases for decades. An active person with demanding careers, Cellura’s bouts with flare-ups have interfered with her athletic pursuits and created difficulty in her professional life.
“I am always in pain,” she says, remembering years of teaching “in agony,” returning home depleted, only to face another day of similar difficulties brought about by the chronic illness.
To get ahead of the pain, she maintains an elaborate daily routine of exercise and palliative care that maintains her quality of life. It keeps her moving, and her commitment is one of many habits Cellura keeps that demonstrate her discipline and the intentional way she moves through life.
She gestures to a sparkling aquamarine tricycle, replete with a wireframe basket, dual brakes, and seven speeds which she peddles 45 minutes each morning. Pulling a pair of protective sunglasses from the basket, she regales us with another story: of finding specialty eyewear at a Harley-Davidson outfitter.
“I think the clerk thought I was buying them to wear when riding a motorcycle,” she laughs. “Imagine him seeing me on this trike!”
Despite the pain that could have kept her from living life to its fullest, she has persisted forward, finding joy
I gamble to make money, yet my consistent goal, personal sacrifices and hard work enables me to give forward,” she said. “The Kathleen F. Cellura Foundation continues to make an impact which I am ever so grateful that it does.”
“Anyone can be a philanthropist,” she says. “I want to encourage them. Women, young people—I want to be a model, a woman of substance to show them they can do it.”
With that, she picks up a wooden carving of an angel, a gift from a woman she refers to as her “daughter of my heart.” This is another woman whose difficult circumstance caught Cellura’s attention, another story that propelled her into action as a mentor. The angel is inscribed with a heartfelt message of gratitude. After sharing its story, Cellura tenderly replaces it on the shelf. Now that the woman and her family have achieved stability, she can repay Cellura in a way that transcends transaction—she gives her love.
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BOYS
& GIRLS CLUBS OF SARASOTA AND DESOTO COUNTIES’ 18TH ANNUAL LEADERSHIP
BREAKFAST
Dr. Harriet Moore, Director of Strategic Engagement for Sarasota County Schools, and Jack Cox, President and Owner of Halfacre Construction Company, were recognized for their extraordinary dedication to empowering local teens to achieve their full potential at Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties’ 18th Annual Leadership Breakfast on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Presented by Intertape Polymer Group, the event welcomed more than 330 business professionals, community leaders, and philanthropists to the organization’s Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club for an inspiring morning that showcased the honorees’ commitment to the area’s next generation of leaders.
social scene
Bill Sadlo with honorees Dr. Harriet Moore & Jack Cox
Tom Waters & Michael Doyle
John Knowles & Sara Robinson
David Hunihan, Lee Wetherington & Larry Bowman
Jack Cox & Marlon Brown
Evan Bosque, Elizabeth Topp & Nick Bobbitt Co-Emcee
Lisa Carlton
Local Team Global Firm
The Garcia Family Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley has set out to show clients that when it comes to choosing an advisor, expectations should be more than simply choosing the right investments. Founded by Managing Director and Financial Advisor, Ernie Garcia in 1987, Garcia Family Wealth Management’s roots are in financial planning with a focus on people first. “Our team understands that the first and most important step in helping people manage their wealth is a thorough and extensive discovery process,” says Garcia. “Our goal is to get to know a client by learning not only about their financial assets and liabilities, but also about their family, their interests, and their passions.
GARCIA FAMILY WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP: (L–R)
STANDING: Matthew Berka, Group Director; Michelle Fleter, Wealth Management Associate; Ernie Garcia; Christopher Garcia, Financial Advisor; SEATED: Jacob Reeves, Financial Advisor; Hannah Menendez, Client Service Associate; Mary Carr, Portfolio Associate
Garcia Family Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley Strives to Give Clients
This approach is fostered by a team of professionals that feel as though they truly are family. In addition to Ernie, the team is led by senior partner, and nephew, Christopher Garcia, Vice President and Financial Advisor who joined over a decade ago to help build upon a business already based in integrity, loyalty, and commitment. Since that time, the team has continued to expand, adding CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, Financial Advisor, Jacob Reeves; Business Development Associate, Matthew Berka and three experienced Client Service Associates in Michelle Fleter, Mary Carr and Hannah Menendez.
“We see our business as our family helping your family. And because of our detailed and proprietary process, we can spend most of our days developing investment solutions, tax-efficient investment and estate planning strategies that are customized to help meet the needs of those very individuals and families rather than focusing on the day-to-day moves of the market,” says Ernie.
A Wealth of Services
To further expand the breadth and scope of the team, Ernie took to heart the Warren Buffett adage of ‘the most important investment you can make is in yourself’ by earning the prestigious Family Wealth Director designation from Morgan Stanley. This extensive, rigorous training helped in building his, and the teams’ proficiency in working with the complex and unique needs of high-net-worth families.
The ability to serve as the first point of contact for clients was not built overnight. Combining years of hard work and experience with the vast resources and intellectual capital of Morgan Stanley has enabled the Garcia Family Wealth Management Group to focus on a wide scope of client solutions, focused on six main areas of advice, which generally extend far beyond the scope of traditional investing. Strategies include: Financial and Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, Investment Management, Risk Management, Lending and Cash Management Solutions, and advice for business owners – Succession Planning, and more.
The attention of most new clients has come from three main areas: business transition, risk management and family asset preservation. Whether you are contemplating transferring your business interest to family members, liquidating assets, or selling your share to current management or an outside party, there are many important questions to ask yourself. According to Ernie, addressing these concerns
typically starts with the same questions. “What are the best possible solutions for their specific situation? What type of planning should be done in advance of a transition? What are the tax considerations for a sale? In the case of business ownership, these conversations should be had well in advance of a sale or a transition.
Our connection with some of the top investment banks, middle market boutiques and estate planning firms allows us to help owners of businesses ranging from $25 million to over a billion dollars in planning to sell to outside interests, their employees or transition to their successors, all while maintaining a focus on desirable outcomes from an estate and tax perspective by collaborating with owners’ legal representation.”
“We are blessed to work with, sometimes, fourth & fifth generations of the same family”, says Christopher. “Working closely with a client’s trusted estate planning attorney and CPA and collaborating with high-net-worth planning specialists at Morgan Stanley, we place an increased emphasis on helping clients’ establish a legacy in a way that is most advantageous to their desires. In many cases, this allows for the potential creation of generational wealth rather than the loss of assets to taxes and expenses.”
Giving Back
In addition to advising clients about charitable giving, the Garcia team is dedicated to giving back themselves. Among
2 North Tamiami Trail, Ste 1100 Sarasota, FL
the many organizations Ernie and his team support— as donors, volunteers, event sponsors and fundraisers — is Folds of Honor, which provides scholarships to families of fallen and disabled members of the military and first responders. Ernie was the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Morgan Stanley President’s Club Community Leadership Award, which included a $10,000 donation from the firm to Folds of Honor; a memory that Ernie states is, “one of the fondest of my career”.
Putting Clients First
The dedication and hard work of the Garcia Family Wealth Management team has not gone unnoticed. The team is most proud of the comments they receive from those whose opinions matter most, their clients.
“The gratitude that we feel from clients who say they rely on us to help them through difficult times is why we work as hard as we do,” says Ernie.’ That’s something we hear frequently, because clients want the confidence to know that somebody is there to help guide their families through very important financial decisions. We are gratified and humbled by these incredible compliments, and we even keep the many thank you cards we receive from clients and friends as a continued reminder of why we are here.”
“I’ve been in this business for over 37 years – the majority with Morgan Stanley,” says Ernie. “But I am more excited now to help families with their financial goals and dreams than I have been in my entire career”.
Ernie Garcia is a Financial Advisor with the Global Wealth Management division of Morgan Stanley in Sarasota, FL. The information contained in this article is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments. Any information presented is general in nature and not intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. Investing involves risks and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC, or its affiliates.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trusts, estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning or other legal matters.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.
CFP Board owns the marks CFP ®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP ® (with plaque design) in the U.S. CRC 3865339 09/2024
Major Ed Pulido; Ernie Garcia, Financial Advisor; Lt. Colonel Dan Rooney
viCtOr derenzi maestrO around town
B y tom reese
Maestro Victor DeRenzi lives and breathes opera. Captured as a young boy by the music, costumes, sets, drama and emotion of opera, Maestro has worked tirelessly to bring diverse audiences pure interpretations of well-known operas as well as educating and entertaining patrons with less known operas.
His reach and respect is global and his work has put Sarasota Opera on the world opera map. DeRenzi is the only opera director to complete the Verdi cycle (producing every work by Verdi) and he has received tremendous accolades for this achievement.
For Maestro, opera reflects humanity on many levels, with love, compassion, and acceptance leading the way. His Sarasota Opera legacy is undeniably massive, and his impact on our community is tremendous. We are all better for it.
You’ve been with Sarasota Opera for more than thirty years spanning over five decades. During this time, you’ve seen Sarasota grow exponentially. How has it changed for you?
The only thing that seems not to have changed is the name. The city is still called Sarasota. However, the demographics have drastically changed. We have people from more different parts of the country as well as from around the world. The more obvious changes are the many developments and expansions that have taken place over the years. The biggest reason this city has grown so much is because of the arts.
Of course we have beaches, as do many communities in Florida; but what we offer in the arts is unique and unlike any other city in the state, or even the country. The quality of the arts is much higher than in other cities our size in America.
Tell us about your childhood.
I think I’m fortunate that I grew up in a very small town in our country’s biggest city—a neighborhood in Staten Island, New York where everyone knew each other and our parents had been friends growing up. Our school,
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2024 | 6:30 PM | COCKTAIL ATTIRE
Join us in the Donna Wolf Steigerwaldt Courtyard for the first Moonlight & Melodies Dinner of the season, inspired by the elegance of Parma, Italy. Delight in a sumptuous Italian feast, and enjoy performances by Sarasota Opera Artists. Gather with friends for an unforgettable evening of opera al fresco and immerse yourself in the charm and sophistication of Parma right here with us!
our mIssIon Is to produce opera the way the composer
Intended It to Be performed wIth respect to the sets, costumes, stagIng, and musIcal values.
church, and shopping were all very close and we didn’t need a car. “The city,” as we called Manhattan, 25 minutes away on the ferry, was the center of the arts in America. That very much influenced me as a young man. There was a sense of community in my town, but an exciting other world across the bay.
When did you fall in love with the opera and how did it bring you from New York to Sarasota?
When I was 13, I saw an opera at the urging of one of my schoolteachers. He built the sets for a small opera company on Staten Island, The Matinee Opera Company, and I started helping him as much as I could. The performance was probably not very good, but the music and the drama took hold of me. I quickly became more involved as an extra on stage and then singing in the chorus. And, with the city not far away, I was able to go to performances in Manhattan and hear some of the greatest singers of the generation.
After starting a career as a conductor, I eventually heard about an opportunity at an opera organization in Sarasota that needed an Artistic Director. At that time, the company was called the Asolo Opera and performances were held at the Historic Asolo Theater, but the company was soon transitioning to the newly purchased Sarasota Opera House. I felt that I could be in a place where everything would be new. Before I came the company didn’t have an orchestra or chorus and we were very limited with the operas we could produce. So, it was interesting to me to build a company the way I felt an opera company should function.
What was your inspiration for creating a year-round youth opera program?
I love opera, and I’ve always loved kids. Many people don’t come to the arts until later in life. Sarasota is a good example since some of our supporters didn’t see their first opera until they were retired and had the time to go to performances. Because I fell in love with opera at a young age, I wanted that to be possible for young people here in Sarasota as well. I wanted kids to at least know that the art form exists.
Over the years it has become more and more important to make opera available, because arts education in schools has changed so much. When I was in elementary school classical music was taught, and you knew who Beethoven and Brahms were, not in any great depth, but you knew they were somehow important to our society. Even if we didn’t like it, it was there for us to hear. Now it is mostly gone from schools. It has become our job and the job of the whole arts community to continue that education for the young people.
As the longest serving artistic director in the country, you have overseen 210 productions of 122 different operas and conducted over 1,500 performances of opera. What is the process for producing an opera and what does it take behind the scenes for it to be successful?
I think the hard thing about producing opera is deciding what not to do, because there are thousands and thousands of operas. Putting together a season of four operas, which we do every year, is really about picking the right operas out of many. We have to choose what would make a good season for Sarasota Opera budget-wise and with our ability to perform.
Our mission is to produce opera the way the composer intended it to be performed with respect to the sets, costumes, staging, and musical values. I think that for a company to be successful we have to be able to see our own limitations, so that whatever we choose to produce, we can do at the highest level. It may have taken us longer to reach certain points in our development than it did for other companies, but we’ve always done only what I could personally oversee, and we’ve done what we could to really make a statement for our company and for our community.
Your connection to the music of Giuseppe Verdi is widely known and Sarasota Opera is the only company in the world to play all of Verdi’s music. Can you explain your fascination with his music and what it means to you? First of all, Verdi is a great musician, there’s no question about that. The music he wrote is as great as that of any other composer. There are many reasons I love his operas and love
him as a person. But the reason Verdi’s operas are still performed 120 years after his death is that he is a great dramatist, probably the greatest dramatist of the 19th century. Verdi, more than any composer, understood the human condition, and understood humanity in a way that maybe no one else did, other than Shakespeare. He understood what we all go through in life.
When you see an opera of Verdi’s, he doesn’t tell you what you’re supposed to feel or what you’re supposed to think. He doesn’t attack you with a message. He shows you people who make certain decisions in their lives. We watch the effect of those decisions, and imagine ourselves in those situations. In his operas, Verdi doesn’t say, “this is a good person, and this is a bad person”, he puts the characters in situations and shows us how they are affected; he does not judge them. That’s a great thing about him. He lets us come to our own conclusions. We experience on stage what is important to all of us in our lives.
You have been recognized for your service in Sarasota. What are some of your favorite ways to give back to the place you call home and how do you encourage others to go to the opera? I want to introduce more people to the arts and more people to the opera. I think all of us who work in the arts have a big challenge to make sure more people in our community know about what we do. One of the things that bothers me is that people assume they’re not going to like opera. There are so many misconceptions about what opera is; that it’s expensive, which it is not, or that it is difficult to understand. It is certainly no more expensive than many sports events, and the stories are less complicated and more believable than some current TV series and movies.
Another assumption is that only a certain kind of person goes to the opera, and that’s just not true. It is important that the opera and the arts act as a melting pot for today’s society. Everyone is welcome at the opera. It doesn’t matter what your religion is, what your political views are, or what your beliefs are, you’re accepted and welcomed. The opera also gets people out of their homes, and it gives them the opportunity to be with other people in their community. We need to be out among people, and we will find that we have a lot in common, and that if we disagree on some issues, we also share basic feelings and desires.
You have traveled a lot throughout the country and overseas. Where are some of your favorite destinations, whether it be for work or pleasure?
Anyone who knows me will tell you that my favorite place to be is Italy. My choice is always to go back to Italy because I love it. I love the food, the architecture, and the language. I first traveled there when I was 20 years old. It was my dream as a teenager to go. Being Italian-American there was somewhat of a connection. Especially
when I became interested in opera the connection became stronger. I try to go every year with my family, and there is always somewhere new for us to see.
When you’re not busy at the Sarasota Opera House, where do you like to spend your time in town, and do you have any interesting hobbies or favorite things to do?
Honestly not really. If I’m not at the Opera House, I’m home working. I have music to learn and a season that I must prepare for. I hear auditions, work with the staff, and prepare rehearsal schedules, and we all work together on different aspects of the season. When January comes, there are 250 to 300 people that make the opera happen: singers, instrumentalists, backstage crew, administrative staff, music staff, and technical people. All those departments must be coordinated and ready before everyone arrives or we would have confusion and inefficiency on our hands. Most of my year is spent preparing for that. My life is really about opera. It has always been. I’ve been in the opera profession for almost 60 years. It is what I spend my days doing. Yes, it’s a lot of work, but it’s also the thing I enjoy doing most.
To learn more about Sarasota Opera, call 941.328.1300 or visit sarasotaopera.org.
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NeuroStar first and only TMS therapy FDA-cleared for the adjunct treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescent patients aged 15-21. This expanded indication means NeuroStar providers have a new treatment option available immediately for younger patients who suffer from depression and may not have had success with other care options.
Dr. Jordana Hollen, Associate Medical Director for TMS & Dr. Rebecca Cohen, Medical Director of TMS
Nice View by Oleg Trofimov, 35 x 60 Oil on Canvas
IN PHILANTHROPY
Thank you to our generous Honorees and Sponsors!
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Festivals, Fairs,
and Fall Fun
YOUR GUIDE TO SARASOTA’S MOST SPOOKTACULAR EVENTS
Whether you’re hunting for a haunted trail, picking out a perfect pumpkin, or just searching for something safe and spooky to do with your little monsters, there’s something for everyone this fall season!
Weekends Starting October 5
Annual Pumpkin Fest
Several fall activities including face and pumpkin painting, costume contests, train and hay rides, petting zoo, carnival games and performances by the Torres Family Circus. Fruitville Grove | fruitvillegrovefarm.com
Weekends Starting October 5
Harvest Festival at Dakin Dairy
Guests will enjoy a cornmaze, Hayrides, games, lawn mower racing, and equipment viewing.
Dakin Dairy Farms | dakindairyfarms.com
October 5
All Faiths Autumn Harvest Dinner
Part of All Faith Food Bank’s fall harvest campaign, this event raises funds for programs that provide fresh fruit and vegetables to people struggling with hunger.
All Faiths Food Bank Warehouse allfaithsfoodbank.org
October 5
Sharktoberfest & Craft Beer Festival
Mote’s annual craft beer festival features local and regional breweries offering samples of their staple selections alongside unique, seasonal brews.
Mote Marine | mote.org
October 5
Pop’s-Toberfest
The 3rd annual Oktoberfest Celebration in the Pop’s Sunset Grill Beer Garden features festive entertainment by Fred Reimer, Oktoberfest inspired food specials, and a great selection of traditional and local Oktoberfest style beer. Wear your best lederhosen and dirndl for the best dressed competition.
Pop’s Sunset Grill | www.facebook.com/events
October 6
Park-Tober Fest at The Bay
Celebrate Oktoberfest – The Bay style! Kick off October with a hoppy twist. Make sure to be a part of the worldfamous “Chicken Dance” tradition, enjoy the Steinhoisting contest, or a game of cornhole. The Bay | eventbrite.com
October 9 - 31
Lights at Spooky Point
Lights at Spooky Point is back with an array of spooky creatures and seasonal lighting along a path through the woods. Refreshments available for purchase.
Historic Spanish Point | selby.org
October 18
Witches Night Out
From 6pm to 10pm at the Historic Edson Keith Mansion in Phillippi Estate Park, guests (witches and wizards) will enjoy music, dancing, shopping, food, and drinks. Dress in your favorite witch or wizard attire or you can dress as visitscgov.net
October 11-13
Sarasota Rocktoberfest
The ultimate fall celebration in downtown Sarasota has live music and performances to keep you rocking all weekend.
JD Hamel Park | paragonfestivals.com
Weekends Starting October 11
Discover Sarasota’s Boo Mobile
Hop on board for a fun, family-friendly Halloween party on the trolley! Children and parents, join us for a 45-minute magical tour as WitchyPOO goes on a delightfully musical hunt for her dear missing Pumpkin all around downtown Sarasota’s historic landmarks.
Dolly The Trolley | discoversarasotatours.com
Weekends Starting October 12
Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival
Celebrate fall at Hunsader’s with live music and shows, games, hay rides, food, petting zoo, train rides, pumpkins and more.
Hunsader Farms | hunsaderfarms.com
Bigtoberfest at Big Top Brewing
Enjoy German food, drink specialties, fall vendors, kid-friendly games, crafts, and face painting. Big Top Brewery at Fruitville Commons | bigtopbrewing.com/events
October 18
Haunted Trail Carnival at Arlington Park
This spooktacular event promises an evening of games, trick-or-treating, and festive fun for local kids and families. Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex | eventbrite.com
October 18-19
Oscar Scherer’s Haunted Trail Event
For those who dare, take a walk in the dark along the eerie road with plenty of scare. Make it to the end & Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department will be there to amp up the scare. Plenty of treats on the Trick or Treat Trail with Osprey Nokomis Chamber of Commerce non-profit businesses & local businesses to sweeten the fun.
Oscar Scherer State Park halloweenhauntedtrails.com
October 19
Taste of North Port Food & Fall Fest
Food trucks, parade, costume contest and more in the center of downtown North Port. Center Green | llsnevents.com
October 19
Spooktacular Halloween-Themed Movie Night at Ed Smith Stadium
Bring the whole family for this fun fall activity on the big screen at Ed Smith Stadium.
Ed Smith Stadium | mlb.com
October 19
a-Scare-ium at Mote Marine
Trick or treat at special stations throughout the Aquarium, complete a scavenger hunt to win a prize, enjoy spooky science and educational encounters with the Mote team, experience a live underwater pumpkin carving, and enjoy a coloring table, bounce house, live music, face painting and other A-scare-ium delights!
Mote Marine | mote.org
October 19-20
St.
Armand’s Fall Festival of the Arts
Discover art and inspiration at the St. Armands Fall Festival. Hosted by Paragon Festivals and the Downtown Sarasota Enrichment Association, this event transforms St. Armands Circle Park into an outdoor gallery of unique, handmade artwork by talented artisans from Florida and across the United States.
St. Armands Circle | starmandscircleassoc.com
October 24-27
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at The Players Studio
Join The Players Studio at the annual Fall Festival leading into that evenings performance of The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow. Includes food trucks, games, prizes, face painting, a photobooth, a bounce house, and more!
St. Armands Circle | starmandscircleassoc.com
October 25
Lakewood Ranch BooFest
Bring your trick-or-treat bag and enjoy the familyfriendly fun at this annual Halloween event.
Lakewood Ranch Main Street | lakewoodranch.com
October 25
Boo! at The Bay
Join in the fun of this 3rd Annual Halloween event which includes a not-so-scary evening filled with trick-or-treating, free pumpkin pickings, yard games, a not-really haunted decorated trail, a movie showing of Despicable Me 4, and more.
Common Ground at The Bay Park | eventbrite.com
October 26
Downtown Sarasota’s Halloween Pub Crawl
Pull out your spookiest costumes, grab your ghoulish friends, and prepare for a night of haunted fun. It’s Sarasota County’s most frightfully fantastic pub crawl, where the spirits are high, and the fun never dies!
Dress up your furry friends in their best costumes and bring them down for a fun-filled day that supports Donte’s Den, a local organization dedicated to
October 29
Nathan Benderson Park
Trick or Treat on the Lake
COUNTRY CLUB Palm Aire
This is a Halloween event designed with the whole family in mind. Get into the spirit of the holiday with familyfriendly Halloween favorites set against the gorgeous backdrop of our lake.
Nathan Benderson Park | nathanbendersonpark.org
October 31
Downtown Venice Halloween Strut
Enjoy trick-or-treating at participating locations on Tampa Ave West, West Venice Ave, Miami Ave West, and Nokomis Ave. Groove to kid-friendly music with DJ Steve at the Trunkor-Treat in the Merchants of Venice building parking lot. Downtown Venice | visitvenicefl.org
October 31
Fright Night on St. Armands Circle
Enjoy decorated store fronts and frightening characters set the stage for the wandering spirits of St. Armands past. Adults and children trick-or-treat throughout the Circle with numerous retailers and restaurants contributing to the Halloween spirit with candy, games, and customized promotions.
St. Armands Circle | starmandscircleassoc.com
36 Holes of Golf for Every Skill Level
Complete Practice Facility with a Driving Range, Short Game Area and Two Putting Greens
Exciting Social & Dining Calendar with Monthly Trivia, Music Bingo and More Full Racquets Facility with Tennis, Pickleball and Padel
Fitness Center
Heated Salt Water Pool
A Dazzling Showcase of Arts and Culture
THE INAUGURAL LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL
by Tom Reese
Sarasota has so much more to offer than just its world-class beaches and unbelievable tropical weather. The region has also long been cherished by residents and tourists for its expansive and vibrant cultural arts scene. With each arts organization individually promoting its own unique offerings, the stage is set to unite together in a new and extraordinary event.
Sarasota Rising and its Living Arts Festival, a non-profit organization established in 2021 will bring together the region’s cultural treasures into a dazzling showcase unlike any other. Get ready for a week-long extravaganza celebrating the arts and igniting a wave of tourism and economic vitality.
Jeffery Kin, Executive Director of Sarasota Rising, began conversations with The Downtown Improvement District and Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, as well as other organizations, and all the participants agreed there should be an annual festival to lift up and support the many wonderful arts organizations in the area.
“I jumped at the chance to get this off the ground because I felt it was a great opportunity to work with more members of the community,” says Jeffery. “I had been running The Players Centre for Performing Arts for several years and asked myself ‘what’s next?’” So I’ve been spending the last few years basically building this organization and festival from scratch.”
Jeffery began the process by gathering a group of leaders in the arts scene and brainstorming ideas of what the festival should look like. A survey sent out to all of the organizations in the area provided valuable feedback, indicating the community wanted this festival in the fall
and start the season off with a bang. It’s been a long and tedious process, but Jeffery has built an entire team of dedicated individuals to support the launch of this inaugural event—The Living Arts Festival.
The team at Sarasota Rising has constructed the festival to occur in a “Festival in Six Acts” format. This will feature several exciting parties and events such as opening and closing ceremonies, live music productions, delicious food and beverages, pop-up art exhibits, and more. The “Sixth Act” will be a celebration of community where organizations both big and small produce their own events and productions to showcase their creativity and follow their missions.
“If you’re going to celebrate your region, then it should be inclusive,” said Jeffery, “Meaning that there’s no difference between a large professional organization, a small professional organization, or a volunteer organization. The arts are the arts whether it’s visual arts, performing arts, culinary arts, or whatever. There’s no reason to exclude anyone in a festival that celebrates our region, which has it all.”
Two pre-festival events will take place November 8 and 9 at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. The Festival Fete is where attendees can get a glimpse of what to expect during the festival and enjoy small bites and beverages. The second event is Rise & Shine Saturday, a free familyfriendly day of arts immersion with performances from youth organizations and exploring various hands-on activities to excite the entire family.
Officially, the festival kicks off November 10 at the Northern Trust building in Downtown Sarasota. That event, titled “A World of Entertainment”, will feature a rooftop experience of art and culture with live music performances, food and drink. This is followed by a collaboration with non-profit organization Embracing Our Differences, entitled “Our Embrace Reimagined,” where attendees gather at Historic Spanish Point November 10 and 11 to stroll through the park and take in large-scale art exhibits about inclusivity while watching live performances at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day.
Thursday, November 14 is focused specifically on the growing local region of Venice. The event, titled “All Roads Lead to Venice”, features an arts explosion throughout the city of Venice, highlighting theater, symphony, art displays, pop-up exhibits, performances, curated buskers, and more.
November 15 and 16 will feature less specific events, and will include live street performances, and pop-up art taking place in the downtown area and beyond. There will also be a spinthe-wheel stand where attendees can win tickets to various arts and cultural venues across the area.
The closing party on November 17 is a day dedicated to supporting local youth initiatives. Taking place at the Circus Arts Conservatory, this party features up-and-coming singers, dancers, musicians, and thrill-seeking circus acts all from the education wings of some of our area’s most
Dr. Reichbach and his staff
treasured arts organizations. During the event, a group of judges who were out in the community throughout the week will adjudicate the many performances in search of the best and the brightest. These awards come with a cash prize and much deserved recognition amongst industry peers and the community.
While Jeffery has been the driving force to get this festival up and running, many organizations and individuals have stepped up in a big way, whether it be financially or through volunteering and promoting.
“The initial funding from the Downtown Improvement District was monumental for us. They were the ones that said ‘let’s do this’ and stepped up to get us off the ground, especially early on when we needed funding for marketing, creating a website, and registering the organization as a 501(c)(3). A transformative gift from Jonathan and Michelle Mitchell soon followed,” explained Jeffery.
Additional support came from other regional foundations such as the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County in the form of grants. They also provided classes and educational resources to help Jeffery understand what is needed to create a large-scale festival while dealing with limited resources.
One individual stood out amongst the crowd and went above and beyond to make sure the inaugural festival actually happens. Pedro Reis, Founder and CEO of the Circus Arts Conservatory, worked closely with Jeffery, and the Sarasota Rising team, from the very beginning.
“From the very first meeting I had with Pedro, he exclaimed that this type of festival should have begun 30 or 40 years ago,” said Jeffery. “He did everything he could to help us through connections and even offered his space for our closing party. Having someone like Pedro being so selfless from the beginning has made a world of difference for us.”
Even though the festival is just around the corner, the need for more support is real. There are several different sponsorship levels available to financially support Sarasota Rising. You can also donate directly to the organization on the website, www.SarasotaRising.org
Sarasota Rising will also have contests each year where local artists and designers can submit original posters for the Living Arts Festival for a cash prize of $1,000. The winning poster will be used as signature art for the festival and be featured in various marketing campaigns leading up to the week of festivities along with merchandise. More information on this campaign is found on the website.
If you would like to help out the organization and festival in other ways, there are many different volunteer opportunities available as well. Whether it be preparing for the festival, or manning each event throughout the week, the community’s support is crucial for things to run smoothly and successfully in anticipation of next year’s events. Please visit www.SarasotaRising.org/volunteer for more information.
As our wonderful community comes together to celebrate our incredible arts and culture scene, attendance and word-of-mouth is crucial. With a little love and elbow grease, the Living Arts Festival will become a staple in our town for years to come.
Life in Bloom
At Selby Gardens’ Annual Orchid Show
By Christine Isaac
Life: (n) an entity exhibiting growth, responsiveness, energy, and transformation. —Britannica.com
I recently spoke with Jennifer Rominiecki, President and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, about the upcoming iteration of the annual Selby Gardens Orchid Show and the forthcoming Patti Smith: Book of Days Artist-In-Residence installation.
During that conversation, it became clear that our beloved botanical gardens truly embody the Britannica.com definition of life.
“The theme of this year’s Orchid Show is the color purple,” Rominiecki enthuses. “Programming highlights will include the fall “Lunch in the Gardens” held on October 23 rd”. Additional programming includes an “Orchid Evening” on October 28, during which the Sarasota Opera will perform arias relating to the florid hue.
Alluding to the chromatic origins of purple, Rominiecki continues, “We’ve created an immersive show that explores the full range of purple from red to blue.” The multiple nuances of the orchid’s signature color (“Eggplant! Violet! Lavender!”) will be displayed on the grounds and in interactive mediations. In the Museum of Botany and the Arts viewers will find artworks and studies, including who and what purple attracts (“royalty, specific pollinators, cultural significances and more”). And yes, Selby’s vast conservatory will be bursting with multiples of the iconic epiphytes all in full bloom—a peerless purple experience that one imagines could teach Crayola, Pantone, and Sherwin-Williams a thing or two.
“Of course, orchids come in all colors,” she points out. “But purple is such a WOW! color. We’re encouraging everyone to wear purple when they visit.”
The Artist in Residence program will be at Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point companion campus in Osprey. This campus features a 30-acre property on Little Sarasota Bay and a 5000-year-old archeological record.
The program, on view starting November 9, 2024, is Selby Gardens’ fifth collaboration with multiform artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Patti Smith—a curious connection for an institution focused on botany, conservationism, and historic preservation.
“We are a living museum, “ Rominiecki stated. “We have the world’s best collection of living orchids and
remain committed to that mission. But we are always looking to expand our notions of what it means to be in nature. With its beauty and diversity, nature always evolves, constantly revealing surprising connections.”
Patti Smith’s residency will revolve around her New York Times bestselling photography publication A Book of Days. Inspired by her popular Instagram account, the images are culled from her unique view of life on and off the road.
The exhibition at Selby Gardens will feature large outdoor prints of Smith’s photographs, bringing them into a dialogue with nature—a perpetual source of her inspiration. The selected images will be enlarged and displayed on aluminum sheets, taking visitors on a metaphorical journey through time, space, and the natural environment of Selby’s Historic Spanish Point campus. Smith’s residency will include a live performance on November 14 focusing on her photographic works. Additionally, her residency will cross-pollinate with the George Harrison: A Gardener’s Life exhibition, running February 9 – June 29 as An Evening with Patti Smith
Patti Smith. Photo by Cliff Roles.
Dedicated to George Harrison, February 12 at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus.
What does she hope visitors will take away from these events?
“Everything Selby Gardens does revolves around building awareness for conservation and the natural world. All life on earth depends on plants, and they, in turn, depend on us. Seeing the work of significant artists through the lens of those artist’s connections to nature will hopefully allow visitors to expand their notions of what it means to live and be in nature and find surprising new connections.”
“Selby Gardens is a single bead on a longer necklace,” She continues. “We’re strung together with the other fine botanical institutions worldwide. Each one of us has resources and a specific ecosystem to work with based on our geographic locations.”
One would have difficulty arguing Rominiecki’s growwhere-you’re-planted perspective. In July of this year, Time magazine revealed the annual list of the World’s Greatest Places, which highlights 100 extraordinary destinations around the globe. Marie Selby Botanical
Gardens was one of only eight places to visit in the United States that made the list; the only Florida location in its category and the only botanical garden included from around the world. They had this to say about our homegrown Selby Gardens:
“ . . .this thriving oasis of banyan trees and mangroves, (is) now set to become the world’s first net-positiveenergy botanical complex thanks to the installation of a 57,000 square-foot solar array. (It exceeds the facility’s energy demands by more than 10%) . . an open-air structure draped with spectacular air plants that introduce the gardens’ many wonders, including a world-renowned collection of epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads, and ferns.”
Time elaborates, noting Selby’s “green lung” facilities, including on-site combustion facilities, a roof-top produce garden tended to by military veterans and whose yields are served at its on-site restaurant, and its stormwater management system, which cleans millions of gallons of water before returning it to Sarasota Bay.
This kind of recognition, notes Rominiecki, acknowledges Selby Gardens for its sustainability efforts and as an
George Harrison. A Gardener’s Life.
international innovator for botanical gardens, museums, cultural organizations, scientific institutions, and restaurants worldwide. Perhaps not as glamorous as a wall of amethyst-shaded vandas and phalaenopsis’, but every bit as WOW! worthy.
Rominiecki’s directives stem from a three-part master plan, some obvious (the forward-thinking and distinctive parking facility at Tamiami Trail and Orange Avenue) and some less so. While scientific inquiry will remain the heart of Selby Gardens’ mission, other vital goals include moving irreplaceable scientific resources to secure, hurricane-resilient structures, visitor experience enhancements (i.e., arrival by boat or ferry, interconnected pathways), bolstering infrastructure and expanded classroom facilities, school, and family experiences reinforcing the links between nature and the arts.
A notably symbiotic feature of the master plan is Selby’s efforts to connect local citizens with the jobs this project has created. Selby Gardens spearheaded a job training program where local citizens learned trades and earned credentials in high-demand fields such as plumbing,
PRESENTED BY
Jennifer Rominiecki. Photo by Nancy Guth.
electrical, HVAC, and machining and partnerships forged with Willis Smith Construction, Gulf Coast Builders Exchange , and the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s CareerEdge Funders Collaborative. Contractors who hired these trainees had priority during the bidding process.
Throughout our conversation, however, Rominiecki makes clear that she is not one to get lost in the weeds. As she speaks, her serene and receptive demeanor inspires confidence.
“Plants provide 96 percent of the oxygen in our environment,” she states, letting the weight of that fact hang in the air between us for an extra moment before adding, “Just like the epiphytes and other plants in the world, Selby Gardens, and all living things, must continuously grow in response to its conditions.”
The generous bequeathment from Sarasota resident and passionate gardener Marie Selby, “for the enjoyment of the general public,” has blossomed and evolved indeed. It seems that even Brittanica.com agrees. Further exploration of its definition of life reveals this: “Life might be better cast as a verb to reflect its essential status as a process.”
10% OFF with code SCF2024 at checkout on
The annual Orchid Show at Selby Gardens runs from October 5 through December 1, 2024. The Artist in Residence program with artist Patti Smith at Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey runs from November 9, 2024, through August 31, 2025. For more information, visit selby.org.
Brunch
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT
Honoring Excellence
SCF Welcomes 7th President with Focus on Student Excellence and Increasing Graduation Rates
By Christy Pessemier
Photo
“We’re producing a lot of educated people for our community”
SCF’s new President, Tommy Gregory, has an extensive and impressive resume. He’s a former military prosecutor, law firm partner and legislator, Sarasota commercial litigation attorney, and previously served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the Florida House of Representatives. Gregory also served in the Air Force for two decades and was deployed three times in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Despite enjoying what he did in his career in law and government, Gregory was intrigued and decided to apply when he became aware of the opening for the position of SCF President.
What inspired him to take action? In his earlier years in the Air Force, he was given some guidance he’s followed his entire life.
“I think the biggest reason I was interested, really, goes back to the advice a general officer gave me about 25 years ago,” Gregory said. “I was a young officer, a captain at the time, and I asked this general for his advice, and he said ‘Captain, you should go out and volunteer for the biggest, hardest jobs you can find.’”
“As a young officer in the military, that advice served me well because, when you’re at a big busy place, you learn the most,” he added.
The search for the position of president was extensive and was led by higher education executive search firm Myers McRae. Gregory was selected by the college as their top choice last April.
Since the torch was officially passed to Gregory from previous SCF President Carol Probstfeld, on July 1, 2024, Gregory says it’s been a “productive” start so far.
“We’ve done a lot of work in the last two months,” he said. “I think that’s always the case at State College of Florida. This college has always been a productive college. There are continually students onboarding and graduating and a lot of things are happening here.”
SCF started out with humble beginnings. What began as a small college of 502 students in 1957 meeting in a former high school building in Bradenton has now grown to 20,000 credit and non-credit seeking students attending classes at three campus locations. Additional campus locations are in Lakewood Ranch and Venice and there are 42 buildings between all three campuses.
Enrolled students are a combination of degree-seeking students, adult learners, and those involved in workforce development training programs. Though most students are local, there are currently 72 international students from 34 different countries.
Each year, enrollment numbers increase and that’s why new plans are underway for a fourth campus location in Parrish. It’s in the first phases of design for a building that will be approximately 45,000 square feet, and Gregory says they hope to break ground by the end of 2026 to begin the building process.
“Parrish is, of course, one of the fastest growing regions in all of Florida and all of the country, really,” Gregory said. “Southwest Florida has been booming.”
Before they can fully respond to this growth, however, they’ll need to get the necessary funding.
“We’ve already received $27 million from the State Legislature,” Gregory said. “We have $13 million more to go. So I hope we’ll get $4 million from the local area and then we’ll need to go back and advocate for $9 million more from the Legislature.”
Programs of Study at SCF include Associate in Arts (A.A.), and Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees and certificates in a wide variety of focuses including arts, humanities, communication and design, business, education, industry, manufacturing, and construction, public safety, STEM fields, and social and behavioral sciences and human services, among many others.
There are also workforce certificates and non-credit courses in workforce training, traffic safety institute, and professional licensure and continuing education online courses.
According to Gregory, many people are surprised to find that SCF offers four-year bachelor’s degrees as well.
“We’re still educating the public on the reality that the state college system in Florida is not the community college system that people my age and older grew up being familiar with,” he said. “It used to be that you could only get your AA and not a lot more.”
Today, Gregory says, there are not only three dozen total degree programs, but seven bachelor’s degrees are available at SCF’s three campuses and online.
Another collaboration unique to SCF is FleetForce, a company that trains and certifies professional commercial drivers to earn their CDL at the Bradenton and Venice campuses.
SCF and FleetForce have the only DOL (Department of Labor) registered CDL Apprenticeship Program in the state. Since the program began in the fall of 2021, 571 CDL drivers have entered the workforce.
But there’s still work to do. Currently, 16,000 CDL jobs are vacant statewide, and 2,000 drivers are needed locally.
“We’re training and certifying commercial drivers every week,” Gregory said. “Because the community needs it.”
Right now, the most popular program at SCF is the nursing program, which has grown significantly in numbers in the last five years at SCF. The college partners with Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Manatee Memorial Hospital, and other medical facilities to train and educate students in the medical field.
“It’s a combination of community need and community support,” Gregory said. “The population needs nurses, and the hospital needs nurses, so the hospital supports our program financially and provides work experience, along with scholarships and medical supplies.”
“We’re producing a lot of educated people for our community,” Gregory said.
The nursing and health professions degrees also have many options, including dental hygiene, B.S. degree in nursing, occupational therapy assistant, radiography, and a health services administration B.A.S. degree.
As far as what’s ahead, Gregory says the focus will always be on graduating more students. With an alumni of 61,500 since SCF opened in 1957, their numbers will continue to grow.
Another area he’s trying to get the word out about is tuition. Though traditional four-year colleges often require student loans, SCF is an affordable option. Students who qualify for scholarships have even better options.
“Our tuition rates are half of what any of the state universities are in Florida. We’re much more affordable than people realize and, in some cases, free,” he said. “So, one of our challenges is making sure we educate the community on how affordable it actually is, and that people know our credits are one hundred percent transferable.”
“We haven’t raised tuition rates in 13 or 14 years, which is really dramatic,” he added. “So, we were affordable even 13 and 14 years ago.”
A big part of spreading the word is meeting with local business owners and decision makers in the region and state.
Nicci Kobritz, President
Though Gregory’s work as a prosecutor was inside the military, he worked for nine years trying cases as a lawyer in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, and then went on to serve six years in the State House of Representatives representing both counties.
“I know a lot of people and have worked with many people here locally,” he said. “My network is pretty vast and strong and I rely on that network to get more help and resources for this college.”
To do the work he needs to do to keep SCF successful, Gregory says having a team is a key component, just as it was for him when he served in the military.
“You’ve got to have a leadership team providing the vision and keeping everyone on track,” he said. “To me, this is a great combination of a big busy job that requires leadership, and the bonus and benefit is the mission, which is serving the community.”
Gregory says his team at SCF consists of about 10 people and they are involved with “everything you can imagine,” to represent the college in the community, including the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Manatee Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Corporation, and a number of organizations that they are on the board of, or leading.
To help support the college and get the necessary resources for SCF’s scholarship program, the State College of Florida Foundation, Gregory also regularly meets with business owners and people in the community to advocate for this program.
The State College of Florida Foundation has many avenues to get involved. Donors can give to ongoing capital projects, existing scholarships, a Legacy Society that helps build future generations through gifts to the foundation, or planned giving arrangements. Each of these helps to ensure vital ongoing support for student scholarships.
Though it’s only been three months since he came on at SCF as President, Gregory is quick to answer when asked what his favorite part of his new job is.
“Oh, that’s easy,” he says. “It’s graduation. I think that’s always going to be the thing that I’m most excited about in the future too,” Gregory said. “To hear their stories and see and learn about the struggles they’ve dealt with and
are dealing with—whether they’re 19 years old and had a hard life, or they’re 45 years old and maybe they’re raising kids on their own and still finding time to juggle raising a family and taking classes,” he added.
“You realize it’s not just changing their life when they walk out of that auditorium at graduation, but it’s changing their entire family’s life. That’s pretty exciting.”
Though there is no official term for the president at SCF, Gregory has already decided how long he plans to work in his position.
“This is a big, challenging job and I find it thrilling and rewarding,” he said. “I plan to serve in this job until I retire.”
To donate to the State College of Florida Scholarship Foundation, go to SCF-foundation.org or to learn more about SCF’s programs, go to SCF.edu
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Legacy Jersey Dress
By Hale Bob
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By Hale Bob
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Clean Front Hipster
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Amora Jersey Dress
Shirt with Twilight Fleur Print by Bella Dahl
Raglan Bishop Sleeve Tee
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Mazzy Button Down Fitted Blouse by Johnny Was
Crafted from a lightweight mesh fabric, the Mazzy Button Down Fitted Blouse is adorned with a fresh, feminine floral pattern. Featuring a classic collared button-front and long sleeves, this slip-lined blouse is finished with intricately detailed placement embroidery.
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Lunna
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Maisie Silk Top
Shift Mini Dress by Johnny Was
Brony Blouse By
Johnny Was
Intricately embellished with ornate placement embroidery, the Brony Blouse offers a unique boxy silhouette. Featuring a split neckline bordered with bold color and button front, this vibrant blouse is finished with relaxed Dolman sleeves for a light airy look.
The Citron Necklace by French Kande
This necklace features three 16”-18” strands of white Freshwater Pearls with gold wire and Toulouse chain, our exclusive crystal Austrian Crystal French Kiss and Miel pendants. Absolutely beautiful all by itself or layered with our midi and long designs.
e DU c Ation matters
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SARASOTA AND DESOTO COUNTIES
By Christine Isaac
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (BGCSDC) President/CEO Bill Sadlo describes the organization’s approach to impact as follows: “We’ve enhanced our program to be even more responsive to the opportunities and challenges that local youth face today, which will support their resiliency and lifelong success.”
Since 1970, BGCDCS has been committed to nothing less than success—being within reach of every young person entering its doors. All members are on track to graduate high school and are equipped with plans for their futures while demonstrating good character, citizenship, and a healthy lifestyle.
As back-to-school season gets underway, Sadlo explains how BGCSDC is poised to make significant strides, investing in the future and education of youth across Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. The approach aligns with a broader national strategy guided by Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s “Future Ready” blueprint, emphasizing collective impact.
“This Future Ready framework centers on positive outcomes in four key areas: Health and Wellness, Character and Leadership, Academic Success, and Life & Workforce Readiness.”
Launching a new behavioral health program in May 2024 was one significant step forward in the health and wellness category.
“Addressing mental health remains a top priority,” Sadlo says. “We understand that youth can be successful if they have access to caring professionals and comprehensive wellness programs. This innovative new program ensures we support and empower youth and their families to improve their quality of life.”
BGCSDC hired a team of Master of Social Work (MSW) who provide counseling, support, and advocacy services to the youth and families served, promoting the social, emotional, and mental well-being of youth and creating a safe and supportive environment within all six of the organization’s Club locations.
The BGCSDC 2023 impact report makes his point, citing the organization’s youth-led initiative of planning and hosting a full-day Mental Health Summit at the Club, with nearly 70 teens attending and engaging with mental health professionals in workshops and panel discussions.
“We are enhancing the Club experience, ensuring we meet the needs of our youth. By expanding our reach and capacity for impact, we aim to address unmet needs within our communities. We are committed to ensuring our impact grows alongside our initiatives.”
Establishing new roles such as Enrichment Director and Academic Director are examples of how BGCSDC, gives tangible enhancements to their program models.
Academic success is a primary organizational focus, and he reiterates that literacy and STEAM education are cornerstones of BGCSDC’s strategy.
“With a multi-pronged approach, we provide comprehensive academic support that sets up members for life-long success.”
What might future successes look like exactly? Like 275 Club members, ages six through twelve, participating in STEAM activities with partners like Mote Marine, Van Wezel, and Project Nature Bridge. Also in 2023, 37 Club members were awarded college scholarships by local donors, 186 teens participated in vocation training programs at their Clubs, 71 Club teens served as full voting members on local Boards of Directors, and eight teens traveled to Washington, D.C. for National Youth Advocacy Days to advocate for their Clubs. Or, as Ashley V., a Club member, explains:
“. . . the Boys &Girls Club (is) more than just an afterschool haven; it has become my second home, shaped my character, and provided opportunities for personal and academic growth.”
A recipient of the Club’s Steven and Marjolaine Townsend Scholarship, she describes herself as a shy Ecuadorian immigrant, and BGCSDCs have been instrumental in fostering her confidence and sense of belonging.
“I felt connected to my community and proud of my Hispanic identity. I now (can) achieve my dream of becoming a doctor. . .The Club has helped me and my parents’ ‘American Dream’ become a reality.”
Such an impactful statement makes it easy to agree with Sadlo, who stresses the need for BGCSDC facilities and resources that match our community’s growth and needs. The daily bustle and flow throughout each of the facilities is significant. Some of 2023’s highlights include 3,348 registered members served, 97,125 snacks and meals provided, 361 free water safety lessons given, and 700+ new toys, hot meals, and gameplay time supplied at one of four holiday parties. In addition to the grand opening of the organization’s Louis and
“OUR GOAL IS CLEAR AS WE CONTINUE. WE WANT TO DRIVE COLLECTIVE IMPACT THROUGH INNOVATION AND STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS. FOCUSING ON THESE CORE AREAS POSITIONS
BGCSDC TO SHAPE A GREAT FUTURE FOR OUR YOUTH AND COMMUNITIES.”
—BILL SADLO
Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club in Arcadia, BGCSDC has capital projects at Clubs in North Port and Newtown.
Equally noteworthy is what BGCSDC gives its southwest communities in return: 3,646 service hours at partner nonprofits – the equivalent of $115,000.
“Our goal is clear as we continue,” Sadlo states. “We want to drive collective impact through innovation and strategic investments. Focusing on these core areas positions BGCSDC to shape a great future for our youth and communities.”
A great future is well underway, with 98% of Club members earning on-time grade advancement and 100% either improving or maintaining their academic performance during the Summer Program.
With its current slate of award-winning programs, BGCSDC is strategically building programs and partnerships to be even more “responsive, impactful,
and innovative.” Sadlo shares these meaningful quotes from Club member Isaiah B. and his mother.
“ I used to get into trouble because I would get upset. When I (joined BGCSDC), they said I needed to learn to handle my feelings. My mom met with the Club Director and made a plan. Then the staff worked with me every day . . . My Club helped me learn how to deal with my feelings. Now, I know what to do with my feelings, and I don’t get in trouble at school or my Club.”
“[Isaiah] is an only child with enough energy for all of us. (The Club is) a place where he can play and get that energy out positively. The Boys & Girls Club helps fill in the spots I’m missing as the only parent.”
BGCSDC has much to be proud of, including the integrity with which it is run. It has boasted a top fiscally responsible four-star rating from Charity Navigator for nine years. (Charity Navigator is the top thirdparty nonprofit evaluator, and four-star ratings are only awarded to the most effective and transparent agencies). It’s no wonder the community is willing to invest in its mission. Individual donations ($4,056,341 in 2023) comprise roughly 50% of the organization’s
annual budget. A yearly Boys & Girls Club membership empowers youth to succeed in school, become leaders, and live healthy, productive lives. With access to awardwinning programs and devoted youth development professionals, our community’s future leaders are safe at BGCSDC to grow into their full potential. While the families served pay a nominal Club membership fee, the actual cost for BGCSDC to serve one child for one year is $2,500.
“Our supporters and partners enable us to continue investing in more ways to ensure Club members have top-notch tools, resources, and mentors,” said Sadlo. “Thanks to the generosity of a local couple, those eager to join our efforts in supporting our mission can have their gift of a $2,500 Club membership matched, dollar for dollar. Together, we can ensure more youth have the year-round support they need to succeed.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties, visit bgcsdc.org or call 941-366-3911.
B est se A ts
ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS
941.306.1200 / artistseriesconcerts.org
French Connection
October 8
From Bach to Bluegrass
October 15
Rhapsodies
October 20-21
ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE
941.351.8000 / asolorep.org
The Curious Savage
October 29 – November 2
BOOKER VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
941.355.2967 / bookervpa.com
Blithe Spirit
October 18-20
Black & White Show and Print Party
October 24
To the Summit!
October 24
The Art of Jazz
October 30
FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE
FOGARTY COMMUNITY MEDIA & ARTS CENTER
941.894.6469/wslr.org/fogartyville
Liz Longley
October 2
Julie Nolen & Wiley Gaby
September 9
Luke Bulla
October 6
Antsy McClain and The Trailor Park Troubadours
October 11
Fogartyville Songwriter Series
October 14
Sammy Figueroa’s Latin Jazz Explosion
October 20
Renesito
October 25
JAZZ CLUB OF SARASOTA
941.260.9951/jazzclubsarasota.com
SRQ Jammers at Selby Library
October 7, 21
Jazz Thursdays at the Sarasota Art Museum
October 10
Jazz on a Friday Afternoon at Two
October 18
941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org
The Four C Notes Through October 13
Off the Charts!
October 2 – February 9
Junie B. Jones the Musical Through October 27
Out of Bounds
October 5 – November 30
We’re Doomed
October 26
KEY CHORALE
941.475.6756/keychorale.org
Baroque-toberfest
October 18-20
LEMON BAY PLAYHOUSE
941.921.4845/lemonbayplayhouse.com
Steppin’, Songs, & Stories
October 12
Two Witches, No Waiting
October 16 – November 3
Blithe Spirit at Booker VPA
Artist Series Concerts
The Curious Savage
MANATEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
941.749.1111/ manateeperformingartscenter.com
The Fantasticks Through October 6
Caribbean Chillers –Tribute to Jimmy Buffett
October 8
Merrily We Roll Along
October 24 – November 3
MCCURDY’S COMEDY THEATRE
941.925.3869/ mccurdyscomedy.com
Frankie Paul
October 2-6
Fundraiser for the Coomer Family
October 2
Fundraiser for Family Promise
October 3
Valerie Storm
October 9-13
Humor Institute Class Performance
October 16
DC Benny
October 17-19
Hard Heart Burlesque
October 20
T.J. Miller
October 23-24
Andrew Dice Clay
October 25-26
Drag Queen Bingo Extravaganza
October 27
Open Bar Comedy
October 29
Paul Ollinger
October 30-31
RING SARASOTA
941.451.7601 / ringsarasota.org
Holiday Headstart 2024
October 12
RISE ABOVE PERFORMING ARTS
941.702.4747 / riseabovearts.com
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical October 17-20 & 24-27
THE SARASOTA BALLET
941.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org
Martha Graham Dance Company
October 11-13
Meet Me at the Barre
October 16
P1: Relative Works October 25-27
SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET SCHOOL
941.365.8400 / srqcubanballet.com
Classic + Contemporary October 4-6
SARASOTA JEWISH THEATER
941.365.2494 / sarasotajewishtheater.org
Being Somebody: Growing Up Brooklyn, a Father/Daughter Tale October 19-20
SARASOTA OPERA
941.328.1300 / sarasotaopera.org
Duck Soup
Classic Movies at the Opera House
October 4
Die Entführung Aus Dem Serail HD at the Opera House
October 6
The Greatest Show On Earth Classic Movies at the Opera House
October 18
La Fille Mal Gardée HD at the Opera House
October 20
SARASOTA ORCHESTRA
941.953.4252 / sarasotaorchestra.org
Gershwin’s American Dream
October 5
Mendelssohn & Maslanka
October 13
Reel Intrigue October 16-19
Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back October 25-26
URBANITE THEATRE
941.321.1397 / urbanitetheatre.com
Jennifer, Who is Leaving October 18 – December 1
Van Wezel
The Sarasota Ballet
VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL
941.953.3368 / vanwezel.org
Friday Fest: Big Night Out
October 4
Billy Ocean
October 15
The Life and Music of George Michael
October 20
VENICE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER/ VENICE SYMPHONY
941.218.3779 / veniceperformingartscenter.com
Keys & Classics
October 6
A Symphonic Spooktacular
October 11-12
VHS Band Fall Concert
October 15
VENICE THEATRE
941.218.3779 / venicetheatre.org
The Torch Bearers Through October 13
Agnes of God* Through October 20 9 to 5
October 25 – November 24
WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE
941.366.1505 / westcoastblacktheatre.org
Crooners: Solid Gold Edition October 9 – November 17
VISIT SCENESARASOTA.COM to submit your event for consideration, please send information to publisher@scenesarasota.com
art scene
ART CENTER SARASOTA
941.365.2032 / artsarasota.org
Gabriel Ramos
Amy Sanders
David Fithian
Juried Show: Euphoria! October 10 - November 16
ARTCENTER MANATEE
941.746.2862 / artcentermanatee.org
Open Book
Sarasota Pen Women October 1-25
ARTISTS’ GUILD OF ANNA MARIA ISLAND
941.778.6694 / amiartistsguildgallery.com
Saturday Tea & Art
October 5
Night Market
October 11
The Key Royale Club Exhibit Through October 31
CLYDE BUTCHER GALLERY
941.486.0811 / clydebutcher.com
Open House & Darkroom Tours
October 5
Big Cypress Gallery
Swamp Celebration: Artists, Rangers & Swamp Walks
October 19
CREATURO GALLERY
941.953.6163/ creaturogallery.com
Art Walks Every First Friday
October 4
CREATIVE LIBERTIES
941.799.6634 / creativeliberties.net
Featured Artists Exhibit: Opening Reception
October 10
Chalkfest Workshops
October 11–October 16
Community Artmaking Event for Sarasota Rising’s 5” x 5” for $5
LIGON FINE ART GALLERY ANNEX @CLIVE | DANIEL HOME DESIGN
832.361.0308 / angelaligonart.com
Jozef Batko Oil on Canvas
Pascal Benichou
Oil on Canvas
Duncan Chamberlain
Mixed Media Sculpture
MARA ART STUDIO + GALLERY
941.914.8110 / marastudiogallery.com
Zen
Through October 22
Canvas Conversations Through November 16
Harmony Gallery MARA Art Studio & Gallery
Island Gallery West
Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island
MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS
941.366.5731 / selby.org
The Orchid Show 2024: Purple! October 5 - December 1
RINGLING MUSEUM
941.359.5700 / ringling.org
Shinique Smith: Parade Through January 5
Jess T. Dugan: I want you to know my story Through February 25
Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan Through May 11
Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration Through January 26
Embodied: Highlights from The Ringling Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art Through September 21, 2025 Enduring Light Through February 9
SARASOTA ART MUSEUM
941.309.4300 / sarasotaartmuseum.org
Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration Through October 27, 2024
Modern Masterpiece Uncovered: Galloway’s Furniture Showroom by Victor Lundy Through October 27
SARTQ
941.309.4300 / sartq.com Light & Dark Through November 4
THE SOUTHERN ATELIER
941.753.7755 / southernatelier.org See Website for Classes & Studios
STATE OF THE ARTS GALLERY
941.955.2787 / sarasotafineart.com
CELEBRATE 20: Anniversary Exhibit Through January 2025
TO SUBMIT YOUR EVENT/EXHIBITION FOR CONSIDERATION , please send information to publisher@scenesarasota.com
The Ringling
MARA Art Studio & Gallery
meet the dancer marijana dominis
Marijana Dominis grew up in Zagreb, Croatia, and she knew from a young age that she wanted to be a dancer. “When I was just 3 years old I started walking on my tippy toes all the time. My mom knew right away which classes she needed to put me into! Who knew that would be something I do professionally now and love it more and more every day!”
Eventually Dominis trained at the Munich Ballet Academy, and danced with the Finnish National Ballet before joining The Sarasota Ballet in 2019 as Coryphée. In 2021, she was promoted to Soloist, and finally became a Principal Dancer in 2022.
Since being at The Sarasota Ballet, Dominis has danced in a wealth of performances, such as Ashton’s Birthday Offering, Dante Sonata, Façade, Les Patineurs, The Sleeping Beauty Vision Solo, Valses nobles et sentimentales; Balanchine’s Divertimento No.15, Donizetti Variations, The Four Temperaments, Serenade, Theme and Variations, Western Symphony; Bintley’s A Comedy of Errors; Bond’s Excursions; Broad’s Frequency Hurtz; Graziano’s En Las Calles de Murcia, The Pilgrimage, Shostakovich Suite, Sonatina; Hart’s John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker; House’s Living Ghosts; Kobborg’s La Sylphide; Lang’s Shades of Spring; MacMillan’s Elite Syncopations, Las Hermanas; Taylor’s Brandenburgs, Company B; Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs; Walsh’s I Napoletani; Wright’s Giselle, Summertide; and Robbins’ In The Night.
When asked what her favorite role was, Dominis says, “‘One for my baby’ from Nine Sinatra Songs by Twyla Tharp. That role was the one that taught me more about artistry and how important the connection is between me and my partner. Also, the music took me back to my childhood when I used to listen to Frank Sinatra at home with my family.”
Visit SarasotaBallet.org for updates on the 2024/2025 season.
Luke Schaufuss in Johan Kobborg’s Napoli Act III
Photo by Frank Atura
Xin Ying in Martha Graham’s Errand into the Maze | Photo by Hibbard Nash
meet the performer
julia knitel
With parents who run a community theater, Julia Knitel literally grew up on the stage. She made her Broadway debut at just 16 in Roundabout’s revival of Bye Bye Birdie, and made her principle debut six years later as Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musica l. Julia also played her all time dream role of Louise in Gypsy at the MUNY, and was nominated for a St. Louis Theatre Circle Award. Having worked with young artists her entire life in community theater, Julia is always excited to connect with fans and spread her love of theater and performing.
Julia Knitel has played Carole King on Broadway, on Tour, at Theatre Aspen (Henry nom), & at The Cape Playhouse. Additional Broadway/ Tour: Bye Bye Birdie, Come From Away (Janice). Julia originated the role of Maggie/Millicent in the NYTimes Critic’s Pick Dead Outlaw (Outer Critics Circle Nomination). Off-Broadway: A Letter to Harvey Milk (Lortel nom), Panic of ‘29, The Tycoons (Rave Theatre Award - Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role). Regional: Louise in Gypsy (The Muny, St. Louis Theatre Circle nom), The Constant Wife (Denver Center - Dir Shelley Butler), The Producers (Casa Mañana), Brighton Beach Memoirs (Portland Stage). TV/film: The Other Two, Miles.
Catch her as Carole King in the Asolo Rep production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, November 16, 2024 to January 5, 2025.
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