From dramatic performances to comedies and musicals, from beautifully-detailed paintings to custom-designed crafts, our community has no shortage of cultural happenings and SRQ has the arts beat covered. With live performances and exhibitions taking place throughout the county, we have all you need to be a part of Sarasota’s very vibrant 2024-2025 arts scene.
BY DYLAN CAMPBELL + PHIL LEDERER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN AND COURTESY OF ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
Cover: Capturing the excitement of the season with performers from Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Contemporary Dance and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Shot on location at the Sarasota Art Museum at The Truth of the Night Sky exhibit by Anne Patterson and Patrick Harlin. Photography by Wyatt Kostygan.
Ballet presents the company premiere of Ashton’s Romeo and Juliet, Ricki Bertoni (Tybalt) and Luke Schaufuss (Mercutio), photo courtesy of Frank Atura.
63 ELITE TOP AGENTS
STEPHANIE BRONZINO
PERRY CORNEAU
PAMELA HAGAN
SHERRI MILLS
SANDRA OSORIO
SHELDON, GETTEL & DAHL
JUDI TAULBEE
77 HOME OF THE YEAR
WINNER CIRCLE, 2024
85 IN CONVERATION: INNOVATION IN PHILANTHROPY
ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK
THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SARASOTA AND DESOTO COUNTIES
NAMI OF SARASOTA AND MANATEE
SAFE CHILDREN COALITION
srqist
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Swimmer Julie Madison set a record and raised awareness for veterans suffering from PTSD with her marathon swim around Siesta Key on June 4. The Makery DIY Pottery and Art in Sarasota is a haven for art, community and connection. The Midway Sports Complex, expected to be complete in winter 2025, showcases a rare collaboration between two separate developers in Lakewood Ranch.
culture city 22
502 Gallery owners Cassia Kite-Jaeger and Tim Jaeger on the big impact of small works. Inside the imagination of Sarasota’s quirky assemblage artist, Melanie Carlstein.
cargo 73
Thrifting has surged into the spotlight as a trend, driven by a growing cultural shift toward sustainability, unique style and the thrill of finding one-of-a-kind local treasures. The Figgy Company’s passion for offering healthy skincare options.
forage 83
New restaurant Cuba 1958 introduces elevated Cuban cuisine.
giving coast 94
David Crawford of Catalist Realty is an innovator who launched a real estate brokerage with a pioneering model that weaves a spirit of giving into every transaction.
This page: Ropa Vieja at Cuba 1958; a clean beauty revolution at Figgy Company in Burns Square; and, Siesta Key marathon swimmer Julie Madison of Top Tier K9-Bradenton, photography by Wyatt Kostygan.
SRQ local 2025 Best of ~
YOU ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE YOUR LOCAL FAVORITES
WE ARE EXCITED TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN US FOR THE 2025 PROGRAM
When we share our favorite dining, shopping, arts, philanthropy, people and places, we celebrate the local experiences that make our hometown special.
NOMINATIONS OPEN OCTOBER 9, 2024
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TOGETHER WE ROAR
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Announcing SRQ Magazine’s 2024 Women Who Roar Trailblazer Award Recipient Kate White, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and 2024 Women Who Roar Illuminator Award Recipient New York-based standup comedian, social media influencer and writer Elyse Delucci.
Join us as we also announce and recognize the Women Who Roar Honorees who will be inducted into the Women Who Roar Leadership Circle.
KATE WHITE New York Times bestselling author and former Editor In Chief of Cosmopolitan magazine.
ELYSE DELUCCI
New York-Based standup comedian, creator of the New York Tawk podcast and writer. ALSO THANK YOU
Diamond Vault
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Dolphin Transportation
OCTOBER 2024
CEO / PRESIDENT / EDITOR IN CHIEF
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SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE
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MANAGING EDITOR
Barbie Heit
CLIENT MARKETING+ DIGITAL PROGRAMS MANAGER
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DIGITAL MARKETING + EVENTS MANAGER
Megan Mitchell
CONTRIBUTING SENIOR DESIGNER
Virginia Jankovsky
EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES
Eliana Burns
Dylan Campbell
Solymar Estrella
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CONTRIBUTING EDITORS + ARTISTS
Andrew Fabian, Phil Lederer, Chris Leverett, Jacob Ogles, Daniel Wagner, Kate Wight
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Julie Madison set a record and raised awareness for veterans suffering from PTSD with her marathon swim around Siesta Key. Barbie Heit
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF JUNE 4, JULIE MADISON PLUNGED INTO WATER TO BEGIN A MARATHON SWIM, covering approximately 36 miles around Siesta Key. Eighteen hours, 12 minutes and 53 seconds later, she completed her challenge with fierce determination, coming out of the water at around 11pm. Supported by eight kayak teams, each made up of two volunteers, the 36-year-old swimmer overcame numerous challenges before reaching her goal. Born and raised in Connecticut, Madison started swimming at a very young age. “My mom was actually super afraid of the water so she made sure I got in lessons nice and early,” Madison recalls. Growing up, she swam recreationally, for USA Swimming and her high school team but by the time college rolled around, she didn’t find herself in the water much. After a few years away from the sport, however, she decided to get back into the pool. At first, she didn’t feel fast or strong, but continued to build speed and time with each session. When a fellow swimmer who noticed her progress suggested that she try open-water swimming, she was initially resistant. “I thought open-water swims were scary,” she says. “I was living in Connecticut so the water was cold but this other swimmer pushed me and eventually I gave in and then I just fell in love with it.” She spent the next two years working with other open water swimmers, learning the ins and outs of exploratory swimming and starting to get used to varied environments, including different currents, tides and water depth—swimming in deep water, but also in extremely shallow waters of only a foot and a half deep.
This page: Julie Madison's swim around Siesta Key highlighted her skills and endurance and most importantly, served as a call to action for the community to support our veterans.To learn more about Top Tier K9Bradenton, visit .toptierk9.com/foundation-dogs. To learn more about SOF Missions, visit sofmissions.org.
In November of 2022, after snowbirding here for a few years, the Connecticut swimmer decided to become a local. Here in Bradenton, Madison started her own business, Top Tier K9-Bradenton, a company known for its expertise in training foundation dogs and service dogs. As owner and trainer, Madison works to produce the highest quality working dogs, capable of performing a variety of tasks to aid individuals and organizations, ensuring that each dog is prepared to meet the specific needs of their handlers, including veterans with PTSD.
With her marathon June 4th swim, Madison combined her love for open-water swimming, her experience in training service dogs and her interest in helping veterans overcome PTSD. Not only did she set a record for the distance around Siesta Key, but her achievement is part of an inspiring campaign by SOF Missions (a nonprofit dedicated to combating the veteran suicide crisis by supporting veterans and their families), in partnership with Top Tier K9-Bradenton, to raise $250,000 to support veterans suffering from PTSD by providing them with specially trained service dogs.
Every member of Madison’s crew for the event was a volunteer, something that set her experience apart from most other long distance swims that are usually supported by professionals. “My team for this expedition was pretty much one hundred percent new to working with me, minus my dad who actually drove down from Connecticut to be a part of my swim. My kayak teams were amazing. They were there to guide me, get me food (which basically consisted of a liquid diet) and keep me safe,” she says.
While she did experience muscle fatigue and exhaustion, Madison is not ready to hang up her goggles anytime soon. “I really want to do it twice and do a double loop of which would actually set it for the longest circumnavigation in the world,” she shares.
A CREATIVE OASIS
The Makery DIY Pottery and Art in Sarasota is a haven for art, community and connection. Paula Rodriguez-Saenz
IN A WORLD WHERE TECHNOLOGY OFTEN DOMINATES OUR LIVES, there's a unique spot in Sarasota that invites people to unplug, create and connect. Tucked away in a vibrant artisan haven, The Makery DIY Pottery and Art isn't just a studio—it's a creative sanctuary where art meets community. For the founder, Gina Fortino, art has always been a way of life. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, long before the era of Pinterest and YouTube tutorials, she learned art through hands-on experimentation. From making paper with a blender as a child to exploring various artistic mediums throughout her life, her journey has been one of constant discovery and creativity. After reaching the limits of her artistic exploration in Upstate New York, she moved to Sarasota with a dream: to create a space where people could shed their fears about art, embrace experimentation and find joy in creativity. And so, The Makery was born—a place where art is accessible to all, whether you're a seasoned artist or someone who "can't even draw a stick figure."
“When I moved to Sarasota, my goal was to start a business that would allow people to not be afraid of art, to come in to experiment, to learn, and to feel happy and comfortable and validated being creative," says Gina. This philosophy is evident in every aspect of The Makery, where beginners and seasoned artists alike can create side by side. The studio's offerings are as diverse as its clientele, ranging from pottery and mandala dot paintings to upcycled art projects and themed pop culture nights. Children, parents and seniors all find a welcoming environment where the focus is on enjoying the process, not just the finished creation.
A core part of The Makery’s ethos is upcycling— transforming old and unused items into beautiful works of art. Whether it's turning vintage jewelry into stunning suncatchers or creating stylish bags from old clothing, The Makery emphasizes sustainability and creativity in equal measure. These projects not only breathe new life into forgotten items but also inspire participants to see the artistic potential in everyday objects. The Makery is located within The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime, a bustling community of local artisans. This location allows The Makery to collaborate with a wide range of talented artists, ensuring that the studio’s offerings are as varied as the people who walk through its doors. From pottery and painting to fiber
arts and handmade paper—there’s something for everyone at The Makery. The environment is warm and welcoming, often described as feeling like a family dinner where everyone is laughing, sharing and creating together. This sense of community is a crucial part of The Makery’s appeal. It’s a place where people can disconnect from the digital world, engage their minds, and rediscover the joy of making something with their own two hands. “Pulling from aspiring artists’ lives and what they love and transferring it into art is really fun. And I think that's the best way I know how to keep them in the real world–present in the art and their mind rather than mindlessly scrolling,” says Gina. At The Makery, art is not just about the finished product—it's about the journey. It's about overcoming the fear of making mistakes and finding joy in the act of creation. Whether you're a child discovering the magic of creating for the first time, an adult reconnecting with a long-lost passion or someone simply looking for a fun and meaningful way to spend an afternoon, The Makery DIY & Pottery is a place where you can find your artistic voice. In a world that often tells us we're not creative enough, The Makery is here to remind us that art is for everyone—and that everyone has the potential to create something beautiful. SRQ
clockwise:
Fortino invites the community to celebrate their artistic spirit at The Makery. Clockwise: From pottery to painting, The Makery offers classes for curious creatives of all levels. The Makery, 821 Apricot Ave, 3, Sarasota. themakerysrq.com,
Above,
Gina
Below: From court sports to dog parks, Midway Sports Complex is sure to have something for everyone. Lakewoodranch.com/ourvillages/waterside-wild-blue/
ACTIVE TOGETHER
Midway Sports Complex will offer state of the art sport and recreational facilities while connecting two distinct communities in Lakewood Ranch. Dylan Campbell
IT’S
NOT
EASY
TO
BUILD
IN LAKEWOOD
RANCH.
Originally built for ranch operations in the early 1900s, the sprawling community covers roughly 50 square miles. It is the top-selling, multi-generational master planned community in the country, with thousands of homes sprouting up every year. It is perhaps the most desired area to live in on the entirety of Florida’s Gulf Coast and with that kind of clout, comes a level of competition between real estate developers, construction companies and custom home builders that is intense, to say the least. The indoor/outdoor complex set to open in winter 2025, serves as a connection point between two communities: Shellstone at Waterside and Wild Blue at Waterside. “It’s really a joint venture between two communities, everything that’s east of Lorraine Road, we’ve joined forces here to create an amenities complex called Midway Park,” says John Woodman, Division Manager at Homes by Towne, one of the developers behind the project. “Midway Park is a large seven-acre plus facility that’s inclusive of a pro shop, a screened pavilion, multiple play areas for kids, a tot lot, restrooms, large and small dog parks, outdoor fitness equipment, eight pickleball courts, six tennis courts, a kayak launch and a basketball court. It’s going to be a pretty unique project.”
What differentiates Midway Sports Complex, however, is not just the bevy of high-grade amenities, nor is it the accessibility of said amenities. It’s the fact that this project is a joint venture between two developers: Homes by Towne, which has built Shellstone and everything on the south side of the lake it's positioned on, and Stock Development, which has built Wild Blue on Waterside, which is located on the north side of the lake. “It’s really unique in the fact that it’s very rare for two different developers to join forces and build something like this. It doesn’t happen often. A lot of the time you’ll get a big master planned developer who does something and they have all these other builders build in and sell single family lots,” says Woodman. “It’s really rare that two developers would join forces to construct something of this magnitude at the benefit of two communities.” SRQ
Midway Sports Complex, now under construction, and opening in Q1 2025, offers 13 acres for neighbors to explore, play and connect. In addition to miles of lakeside and preserve walking paths and trails, there are plenty of outdoor experiences to make your active life even more engaging. For racquet sports, there’s 6 tennis courts, 8 pickleball courts and a sports pro shop and gathering space. There’s a variety of fitness equipment for bodyweight strength workouts, with pull-up bar, ab station and more. Shoot hoops on the basketball courts, enjoy the outdoor activity center, or gather with friends and neighbors for a community event onthe great lawn. Furry friends have two dog parks for them to romp and play. The children’s playground has fun climbing structures and playscapes for kids of many ages. At the water’s edge, there’s a lakefront park let, and kayak launch to paddle around the lake.
9, 2024.
This page: Tim Jaeger and Cassie Kite-Jaeger. Shopliftable will be on display through November
culture city
THE 502 APPROACH
Sarasota’s newest gallery sees a big market for small works. Phil Lederer
AS SARASOTA’S ONLY GALLERY DEVOTED ENTIRELY TO EXHIBITING SMALL WORKS, 502 Gallery opened its one-room space off South Pineapple in the belief that great things can come in the smallest of packages. Its debut show, Shopliftable, is already making a good case. Painting, ceramics, photography, metalwork, fiber art, woodcrafting and collage are all on display and, with more than 40 professional artists showing at once, a quick trip around the room is something akin to viewing a whole cross-section of creative activity in Sarasota. This is by design, say 502 owners Cassia Kite-Jaeger, Tim Jaeger and Dr. Richard Mones, who see in the exhibition of small works a fruitful and yet unexplored niche in the regional arts scene—and one that can bridge an open gap between collectors and artists.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.
culture city
“There’s a place for small works in everybody’s home,” says Kite-Jaeger. And a trip to 502 Gallery isn’t about finding that one giant canvas that dominates the room, but rather wandering through a rotating representation of Sarasota’s weird and eclectic artistic imagination to find the little hidden gems and accent pieces that more subtly enhance a space or collection. Besides, says Kite-Jaeger, most established collectors already have their statement pieces and don’t need more. “And they would still like to invest in the community,” she says, “but don’t have space for bigger works.” At 502 Gallery, they can fill out their collection while finding new artists in the community to support. And for aspiring collectors—or simply art lovers looking for something to put in that little nook by the thing with the weird shelf they never knew what to do with—small works provide accessibility in terms of affordability, as well.
Working small does not constrain or hamper artistic expression either, as evidenced by the outpouring of support 502 Gallery saw from contributing artists,
who brought in so much work that Shopliftable will be getting a sequel exhibit in November to show the rest. There’s a common misconception and romanticization that says creation has to be big and dramatic in order to be meaningful. Kite-Jaeger disagrees. Sometimes artistic authenticity is small and quiet, tucked into stolen moments between busy jobs and family demands. “A lot of the best work is made at the kitchen table,” she says, and that includes her own contribution to 502 Gallery’s debut show, an acrylic painting of the creek that runs behind her childhood home in Nebraska. “There are memories there,” she says, and it’s difficult to know if she’s talking about the creek or the painting. Maybe both. “There can be a strong story and a big impact in these smaller pieces,” she continues. “They make you look. They make you pay attention. They pull you in close and you have a direct, intimate relationship.” SRQ.
Above, far left: The 502 Gallery Team: (l-r)
Christina Antoniou, Tim Jaeger, Cassie KiteJaeger and Dr. Richard Mones. 502 Gallery, 502 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota.
STRANGE CHILDREN
Melanie
Carlstein and the Workshop of Second Chances. Phil
Lederer
EVEN SHE DOESN’T KNOW WHERE THEY COME FROM, this gaggle of strange children sprung forth from her imagination, like so many Athenas but in shapes ever more surprising. They come with animal heads on human bodies. They come mummified in canvas and rusted wire. They come unbidden, this patchwork progeny born of the disused and discarded, but undeniable nonetheless. And she builds them, sometimes as many as four at a time, as quickly as they can appear in her mind. Some come slowly, pieced together over years in the workshop, but none are ever abandoned. These are no Greek ideals but she loves them all the same. She gives them each names. And then she sells them. “Each one is like a puzzle,” Melanie Carlstein says. Softspoken with a shy smile and the sort of British accent that almost seems to apologize for all that colony business, one might half expect her to while away her days knitting or perhaps perfecting the art of the American casserole. But no. She’s somewhere in the workshop with a respirator strapped to her face, sanding some creature’s head into shape or searching the carefully curated chaos of her stores for the perfect widget or thingamajig to complete her latest creation. She knows it’s in there somewhere, waiting to be found amidst the endless wooden shelves and plastic containers full of everything from junk metal and old cabinetry hardware to boxes full of doll hands and that weird thing she found on the road that one time. Such is the life of an assemblage artist, where nothing is only what it seems and everything has the potential to be something new.
This spread, left to right In the assemblage artist’s hands, bits of metal become the bones of something new.
Carlstein’s creations line the walls of her home studio.
This includes the artist. Absent any formal training, Carlstein came to art late in life. She still insists she doesn’t know how to draw. “I don’t have a sketchbook and I don’t draw things down,” she says. “I just start working.” With no particular plan in mind, she approaches the enterprise almost like stream-of-consciousness sculpting, feeling her way to that eureka moment when it all comes together. Moving by this instinct, Carlstein is also never constrained to any one medium—and doesn’t understand the notion, espoused by some, that she’s supposed to stick with just one. “I just enjoy making stuff and I get bored doing the same thing,” she says. And so she’ll move as easily from sculpting with quick-drying clay that she can easily carve, sand, drill and paint to playing around with taxidermy foam before wrapping it in canvas and strangling it in rusty wire to create the perfect patina. There was even a particularly punk rock period, early on, when she’d just tear apart some old dolls and staple their vaguely hauntedlooking Victorian heads onto strange and limbless bodies of her own creation. But this artistic phase is unlikely to return, after repeated feedback that danced around the word ‘creepy,’ if not saying it outright. “And I could see why they were saying that,” Carlstein admits, though a bit reluctantly. “But I don’t really care. I love them.”
Her only rule is that she wants to work quickly—and always start with the head. Done decapitating dolls, Carlstein crafts all the heads herself these days, finding the process key to discovering the personality and character of whatever she’s creating. And only after the head is complete will she go on the scavenger hunt through her workshop to find all those pieces that have been waiting patiently for their chance to be the perfect fit. “It’s giving these things a new lease on life,” she says. “Creating a new piece of art from, essentially, people’s trash.” Dominating the workbench these days is great slab of wood rescued from a barn in Massachusetts. It was once possibly a foundry mold, but Carlstein took one look and knew it was a bird. Or maybe a fish. It can be difficult to tell at this stage. It lies under the lights like a patient on the operating table while Carlstein experiments with different approaches, moving pieces, seeing how they fit. Testing. Retesting. Removing. Replacing. She builds an eyeball of washers and other assorted metal doodads and plops it into place. She seems satisfied. “I just sit here and play,” she says.
Everybody asks where the ideas come from—this writer included—but and despite years at play in her workshop of second chances, she has no satisfactory answer. But the same instinct that leads Carlstein to see a running dog where others see a shapeless
puddle drives her to collect all of these things, hoarding them away with almost a moral necessity, just as it drives her to reassemble them into figures and shapes she never saw coming. Because through the eyes of the assemblage artist, the world is not what it appears to be and everywhere lay unrealized promise. Everything lives in the process of becoming—if only in need of a little help from the artist’s hand. And their imagination. Among all the arts, it is perhaps the one most predicated on an act of faith.
Sometimes that faith isn’t rewarded for years, as is the case for a small collection of salvaged metal and wood heaped to one side of the studio, a strange embryo that Carlstein insists will one day be an ostrich—and pulls out a hand-sculpted head and neck to prove it—as soon as she figures out the proper way to make feathers without feathers. “It’s a search,” she says. “But I love finding the right piece. That moment.” She pauses to play with the unbuilt ostrich. “Some fit right away; others take their damn time. But I’m determined to do it.”
Therein lies the inherent optimism in the work. A belief, almost romantic, that everything has its place and that every piece matters. That everything deserves new life and even something once discarded can be part of something made with love.
SRQ
Below: Early projects saw Carlstein repurposing and weathering discarded mannequins. A selection of small dolls and bits of wood could be the missing pieces of the next project.
From dramatic performances to comedies and musicals, from beautifully-detailed paintings to customdesigned crafts, our community has no shortage of cultural happenings and SRQ has the arts beat covered. With live performances and exhibitions taking place throughout the county, we have all you need to be a part of Sarasota’s very vibrant 2024-2025 arts scene.
PREVIEWSEASON
WRITTEN BY DYLAN CAMPBELL + PHIL LEDERER
Shakespeare, Spiders, Ghosts & Giselle
Fresh off a successful international debut, which saw the company performing the works of Sir Frederick Ashton alongside The Royal Ballet in London, the Sarasota Ballet kicks off an ambitious season with no less than three world premieres, two company premieres and a November glissade down memory lane. “There’s quite a lot coming,” says Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb. Opening the season with a performance from the Martha Graham Dance Company from October 11-13, the first world premiere comes only two weeks later, with the unveiling of new work from New York-based choreographer Jessica Lang. Yet untitled, details are scarce. The next world premiere comes in December’s “Fanciful Journey” program, a two-night performance at the Sarasota Opera House and in collaboration with the Sarasota Orchestra, featuring the company premiere of Wunderland, with music by Phillip Glass, as well as the world premiere of Sir David Bentley’s The Spider’s Feast, a large-scale production set to fill the stage with illuminated spiderwebs. “Bentley is one of the great storytellers,” says Webb, and Spider’s Feast will be a visual one as well. The third world premiere comes in the January program, with Preludes by Gemma Bond. Also not to be missed is a November production of the ghostly romance, Giselle, at the Sarasota Opera House. Staged by Sarasota Ballet Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri, it’s a return to the show that made her an international sensation at 21, when she performed the notoriously challenging title role with The Birmingham Royal Ballet. And it wouldn’t be a Sarasota Ballet season without a little more Ashton, and one of the most exciting programs on the schedule may be the company premiere of Ashton’s Romeo and Juliet at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in March. P.Lederer Sarasota Ballet, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-359-0099, sarasotaballet.org
This page: Sarasota Ballet presents Martha Graham’s Dark Meadow Suite, photography courtesy of Brigid Pierce.
PREVIEW 2024-25
Ringling Art of Performance
This season, The Ringling is thinking globally—in the most literal sense of the word. As a part of the organization’s Art of Performance series, The Ringling is hosting the all-new SunHAT Eco-Performance Festival. The week-long festival, which is named after the organization’s Historic Asolo Theater and takes place across The Ringling’s campus, looks to start conversations about climate change, ecology and environmental justice in new and unique ways. Instead of just hosting lectures around these topics, the SunHAT festival interrogates them by presenting a diverse array of artists who explore these narratives in their own work. “This is new for us, because we don’t usually put on a festival, but it’s an intense week of artist presentations happening all around the campus. Some shows are outdoors, we have a couple shows indoors, but the idea is that we’re out in the elements enjoying performance on our campus,” says Elizabeth Doud, the museum’s Connie-Kuhlman Curator of Performance. “The performances are specifically by artists that are looking at issues of climate change, ecology, environmental justice and are practicing at this intersection of climate and performance.” The festival is primed to include presentations and events from five distinct artists that vary widely in both discipline and scale. SunHAT Eco-Performance Festival kicks off with an outdoor performance of You Look Like a Fun Guy by Dance Heginbotham, a dance performance inspired by mushrooms that will be followed by a mushroom dinner and a talkback with choreographer John Heginbotham. Other highlights of the festival include Invisible Rivers, a performance-oriented presentation by Mondo Bizarro that will take place on a pontoon stage in Sarasota Bay, a performance by Compagnie Zolobe, an eco-oriented clown troupe from Madagascar and the experimental opera Morning // Mourning by Gelsey Bell.—D. Campbell SunHAT Eco-Performance Fest, November 11-18, The Ringling Campus, 941-359-5700, ringling.org
Below, clockwise: Eco-hip-hop artist and vegan chef DJ Cavem will host the SunHAT Festival Party on November 14. Members of Dance Heginbotham perform in You Look Like a Fun Guy. Gelsey Bell’s experimental opera Morning // Mourning will be performed at this year’s Eco-Fest, featuring an ensemble of five vocalist/multi-instrumentalists.
“THESE PERFORMANCES ARE BY ARTISTS PRACTICING AT THIS INTERSECTION OF CLIMATE AND PERFORMANCE” — Elizabeth Doud
Ken Ludwig’s Lady Molly of Scotland Yard
“WHEN YOU DO A NEW WORK, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE WRITER IS AT EVERY STEP OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS.”— Peter Rothstein
This season, something truly unique is coming to the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Ken Ludwig’s Lady Molly of Scotland Yard is set to make its world premiere at the Asolo in January 2025. The play, which was developed at the Asolo and will be directed by Peter Rothstein, Producing Artistic Director at the Asolo, is at once a screwball romp and a high-stakes thriller. The story, set in London during the heart of WWII, follows Molly and Peg, two detectives from Scotland Yard, as they go undercover as cryptographers to try and stop a secret plot that would annihilate the United Kingdom. “Ken’s such a remarkable, terrific playwright and one of the most, if not the most, produced playwrights in the English language. Ken had seen productions of his at the Asolo and reached out to me shortly after I took the job here and asked if I would be interested in looking at this play,” says Rothstein. “At that point it was a first draft, he had not heard it out loud or had anyone else look at it, and I thought, ‘wow this is in incredible shape for a rough draft.’ I told him that we would love to be the creative home for the play while it was being developed.” During the workshopping process, which will continue into this fall, Ludwig eventually asked Rothstein if he would be interested in directing the play. “To be honest, I kind of assumed that it would be a director that he had worked with before, but over the course of our conversations he asked if I would be interested in directing it,” says Rothstein. “When you do new work, you have to make sure the writer is at every step in the creative process. So Ken has a voice in scenic design, Ken has a voice with how we sell the show and you want that. It’s such a privilege to be able to give birth to a new work, especially from such an esteemed writer.” —D. Campbell Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Box office: 941-351-8000, 800-361-8388, asolorep.org
LUDWIG’S
KEN LUDWIG’S
LADY MOLLY LADY MOLLY SCOTLAND YARD
aLeft: A new world premiere from prolific master of stage comedy Ken Ludwig, writer of Crazy for You and Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. You know Holmes and Watson. You know Nick and Nora. Now, meet Molly and Peg: two brilliant detectives from Scotland Yard.
SEASON
PREVIEW 2024-25
Natalie Helm Collaboration
Below: Sarasota Contemporary Dance, The Backer, photography courtesy of Sorcha Augustine.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance (SCD) is quickly becoming a hub for artistic collaboration in the region. The company, which kicks off its 19th season this December, has built its reputation as one of the preeminent dance organizations in the region in part by its willingness to work alongside different area artists and musicians. This season, dubbed “Shine,” is no exception to the status quo. Four shows headline the main stage, the second of which is a collaborative work between SCD and Natalie Helm, the Principal Cellist of Sarasota Orchestra. “We actually had presented her a couple years back as part of our In-Studio series. I had the privilege of collaborating with her as a solo artist in two of the shows,” says Leymis Bolanos Wilmott, Artistic Director of SCD. “What I love about Natalie is that she is a classically trained musician, but she really thinks outside the box. I reached out to her and said ‘Why don’t we use some of the things that worked well from our In-Studio series and expand it to a bigger scale?’” The show, which will feature a group of “star musicians” handpicked by Helm to accompany her on stage, is expected to be an evening-length work that will lean into the cellist’s Bluegrass roots—Helm is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. “We started talking about having a Bluegrass feel to the show,” says Wilmott. “I know that it’s going to be a full company work, meaning that it will likely start with everyone on stage, but then I start to think about what color palette will the show have? What brush strokes? What colors will the audience see on stage?” D. Campbell Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Blvd. of the Arts Suite 300, Sarasota, 941-260-8485, sarasotacontemporarydance.org
“WHAT I LOVE ABOUT NATALIE IS THAT SHE IS A CLASSICALLY TRAINED MUSICIAN, BUT SHE REALLY THINKS OUTSIDE THE BOX.” — Leymis Bolaños Wilmot
SEASON
PREVIEW 2024-25
The Cancellation of Lauren Fein
Sometimes all it takes is one yank on an invisible string to unravel a seemingly perfect life. On the surface, Lauren Fein appears to have it all—she’s a brilliant research scientist and professor at a prestigious university, where she teaches alongside her wife, Paola, and is a loving mother to her 16-year-old African American foster son, Dylan. When Professor Fein accidentally violates the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies in her work, her entire livelihood is put on trial. The Cancellation of Lauren Fein is making its second-ever production this year at Florida Studio Theatre (FST). The play, which feels just about as timely a story one could tell, delves into the nuances of cancel culture, the pitfalls of ignorance and the true definition of social justice. “Fein is this highly respected professor who has brought a boatload of money to this major university through her groundbreaking research into sickle cell anemia. Her whole career along with her marriage and her foster child, is put at stake when she makes a misstep in characterizing Black Americans in something that she wrote,” says Richard Hopkins, Producing Artistic Director and CEO of FST. “That one little mistake quickly spirals into something that is completely out of control.” The play draws comparisons to Arthur Miller’s The Crucible—Fein, at the stand of the university’s court and eventually an actual judicial system, feels unable to defend herself from the accusations of anonymous students. “The crux of this story is not entirely about what the students are saying that she did wrong. It’s about how the adults and how the systems are handling what she did,” says Hopkins. “That’s what the playwright is calling into question: the power dynamics of somebody just being able to accuse you of something. It’s similar to The Crucible when someone’s accused of being a witch, how do you prove that you’re not a witch?”—D.Campbell Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N Palm Avenue, Sarasota, 941-366-9000, floridastudiotheatre.org
Floralia Infiorata
This November, one of Sarasota’s most special events is becoming even more unique. For its 18th iteration the Sarasota International Chalk Festival is extending its branches of artistic diplomacy even more than it usually does by introducing a brand new exhibition titled Floralia Infiorata. If that name doesn’t ring any bells then good—it shouldn’t. The Floralia Infiorata section of the Chalk Festival, which will also feature a myriad of other events, including an interactive area, the famed Illusion Rooms and a 3-D Pavement Art Exhibition, will bring a new element to the festival by introducing a very old art form. For the first time ever, this year’s festival will bring multiple contingents of Infiorata and Rangoli artists to the United States. These age-old art forms, Infiorata originating in Italy and Rangoli on the Indian subcontinent, use flowers, sawdust, sand and other natural materials to create beautiful, highly detailed, devotionally oriented carpets on the pavement. What is particularly unique about this year’s Chalk Festival is that it is serving as a cultural meeting point for these artists that hail from all over the world—the festival will host delegations from India, Spain, Mexico, Australia, Italy and Japan. “Over the next few months we’ll be organizing some materials locally for these artists. Whether it’s coffee grinds or certain types of sand, different colors separate different colored themes that are part of the designs. Within the teams that we have coming, there are three teams that will be working just with flower petals,” says festival Founder Denise Kowal. “The pieces will be about 20 by 24 feet, roughly 75 feet of just flower petals. It’ll be incredible.”—D.Campbell Sarasota International Chalk Festival, November 8, Burns Square, Sarasota, 941-488-8877, chalkfestival.org
“THE PIECES WILL BE ABOUT 20 BY 24 FEET, ROUGHLY 75 FEET OF JUST FLOWER PETALS. IT’LL BE INCREDIBLE!” — Denise Kowal
Below: The Sarasota Chalk Festival introduces Floralia Infiorata this year with artists hailing from India, Mexico, Australia, Italy and Japan.
Lifting Voices for 25 Years
Celebrating 25 years in the community, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe marks its anniversary season with both revivals of shows that hold a special place in the troupe’s history, as well as the world premiere of a new musical created and directed by WBTT founder and artistic director, Nate Jacobs, that brings tap dance to the WBTT stage for the very first time. The season opens with Soul Crooners, a musical revue showcasing hits from some of the best of the ‘70s soul scene, including Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, The Commodores, Stevie Wonder and more. The show holds a special place in the theater’s history, not only for taking the troupe to soldout shows at the National Black Theatre Festival, twice,but also for keeping the theater alive with outdoor performances during the pandemic. “It was the life source of this company,” Jacobs says, and it opens October 9. The season will also mark the revival of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Fences, not performed at WBTT since 2006. “Fences says a lot about fatherhood and about the plight of the black man in this country,” Jacobs says. “The rawness, the realness, of the family dynamic you see onstage is extremely powerful.” The 25th anniversary season closes with the world premiere of Syncopated Avenue. Created and directed by Jacobs, the musical will be the troupe’s first foray into the world of tap dancing, with visiting artists Lamont Brown and Louis Danowsky bringing their tap expertise to the production. “This is a year of gratitude, celebration and affirmation,” says Jacobs. “Dreams really do come true if you believe and you work hard. “—P.Lederer Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, 1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, 941366-1505, westcoastblacktheatre.org
“THE RAWNESS , THE REALNESS, OF THE FAMILY DYNAMIC YOU SEE ONSTAGE IS EXTREMELY POWERFUL.”
—
Nate Jacobs on “Fences”
A Diamond Anniversary for a Community Gem
Saluting 75 years bringing stories to the stage, Venice Theatre’s Diamond Anniversary season offers many of the fan favorite musicals and theater traditions that audiences have come to know and love, while showcasing both where the theater comes from and where it’s going. “It’s a chance to celebrate three quarters of a century of theatrical accomplishments,” says Artistic Director Benny Sato Ambush, “while also signaling a view looking forward to the next 75 years.” So, in addition to regular offerings like the seasonal performance of A Christmas Carol and tentpole musicals like 9 to 5 opening October 24 and My Fair Lady opening January 31, Venice theatergoers can expect both the world premiere of a new musical, Don’t Touch That Dial, as well as a restaging of the very first show Venice Theatre ever performed, The Torchbearers, way back in 1950. Opening September 20, The Torchbearers tells the story of a 1920s housewife with acting dreams and a community coming together to start a theater in their town. Inspired by the Little Theatre Movement of the early 1900s, the play is not only the first show Venice Theatre ever produced, says Ambush, but a fitting tribute to Venice Theatre itself, which once went by “Venice Little Theatre.” “It’s our origin story,” he says. On the other end of the spectrum comes Don’t Touch That Dial, a brand new musical enjoying a rolling world premiere this season. Opening October 24, this production takes audiences on a nostalgic trip through the world of classic TV jingles and theme songs—largely through a TV game show format. Expect audience participation. As one last surprise, this season also marks Venice Theatre’s first foray into standup comedy, with Venice Laughs opening on December 6. —P.Lederer Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice, 941-488-1115, venicetheatre.org
This page: Prior to its departure for the International Black Theatre Festival, WBTT presented a sold-out, one-act performance of ‘Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition’; pictured (from l-r) are Sheldon Rhoden, Nate Jacobs, Raleigh Mosely II, Chris Eisenberg and Leon S. Pitts II. Photo by Sorcha Augustine
2024-25
The Marriage of Figaro
Below: Aerialists perform daring feats during the annual Cirque des Voix: Circus of the Voices.
Civil unrest is reaching a boiling point this season at the Sarasota Opera. Well, not actually, as the organization is continuing to cement its legacy in the Sarasota area with yet another great season filled with six distinct operatic events. There are, however, a couple of operas featured in this year’s lineup that do delve into class strife, most notably in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, which premieres on March 8. The opera, which is a sequel to Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, which will be performed concurrently at Sarasota Opera, is considered to be one of the greatest operas ever written and a hallmark of the operatic repertoire. Where The Barber of Seville is decidedly a comedic opera, or opera buffa in Italian, The Marriage of Figaro takes a darker, more complex tone while maintaining the comedic traits of its predecessor. The story follows the lecherous Count Almaviva, who, after securing the hand of his current wife Rosina in The Barber of Seville has moved his desires to Susanna, the fiancée of Figaro, the Count’s head servant. Working together with Rosina, Figaro and Susanna must find a way to thwart the Count’s unwanted advances, exposing a class struggle in a comedic whirling of treachery and romance. “Mozart doesn’t call The Marriage of Figaro an opera buffa, which is the Italian term for a comic opera. He instead calls it a dramma giocoso which is a funny drama, because there is a darker, more dramatic side of this opera,” says Richard Russell, General Director of Sarasota Opera. “There are many more levels of emotion in The Marriage of Figaro than there are in The Barber of Seville. Not that they aren’t both great operas, but the story’s more complex, the characters are more complex and Mozart’s music is just genius. The Marriage of Figaro is one of my favorite pieces because I think that the second act is one of the most perfect pieces of music ever written.” —D.Campbell Sarasota Opera, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, 941-328-1300, sarasotaopera.org
Still Hitting the High Notes at 40
Sarasota’s premier symphonic chorus, Key Chorale marks its 40th anniversary this year with a Ruby Jubilee season that includes triplet folk artists, sci-fi circus adventures, musical instruments straight from the 1700s and even an extra concert on the schedule. The festivities commence this month with Baroquetoberfest, a three-day celebration of Baroque music, opening with a concert featuring works by Handel. Day two of the festival sees the singers of Key Chorale joined onstage by instruments particular to the Baroque period, such as the viola da gamba and the theorbo, while day three highlights works by Vivaldi. “They’re all very accessible concerts,” says Key Chorale Maestro Joseph Caulkins. “Even if people don’t know the style, it’s a good opportunity to learn more about these composers.” And the festival ends with a biergarten experience, complete with authentic German food, beers from Calusa Brewing and a German Oom-pah band. In January, The Lubben Brothers band joins Key Chorale in a concert paying tribute to great American songwriters like Bob Dylan, James Taylor and more, while February brings Verdi’s Requiem, featuring four visiting opera singers for the notoriously challenging piece. March brings Key Chorale’s flagship program and annual collaboration with the Circus Arts Conservatory, Cirque Des Voix, a spectacle of voice and physicality under the Big Top. This will be the first year that the program has a theme, Sci-Fi Voyage, and audiences will recognize songs from Star Wars, Star Trek, Interstellar, 2001: A Space Odyssey and more in the program. Opening night includes a costume contest. The season ends with a special bonus concert performance of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, as well as Choral Fantasy, a precursor to Beethoven’s famous 9th Symphony, where one can hear notes of the greatness still to come.—P.Lederer Key Chorale, Inc., 1900 Main St #211, Sarasota, 941-921-4845, keychorale.org
PREVIEW 2024-25
“WE WANT TO PROVIDE SOME RESPITE FROM THIS CRAZY WORLD OF TEXT MESSAGES AND EMAILS.”
— RoseAnne McCabe
Sarasota Orchestra
With a season boasting 25 concerts, the Sarasota Orchestra is truly trying to find something for everyone this year. “We want to provide some respite from this crazy world of text messages and emails,” says Sarasota Orchestra’s RoseAnne McCabe. “So, take a moment and join us, be with other people, and discover joy.” The Pops schedule features classic soul, leading ladies straight from Broadway’s Wicked, and a whole night dedicated to the musical genius of John Williams—not to mention a movie night at the Van Wezel, with the orchestra playing along to a screening of The Empire Strikes Back. While the Great Escapes Series brings holiday-themed Halloween, winter and Valentine’s Day concerts, as well as eclectic shows featuring everything from Beethoven to Bohemian Rhapsody. This year’s Discovery Series highlights Gershwin on October 5, Mozart on January 5 and Vivaldi on May 17. For those seeking that larger orchestral experience, this year’s Masterworks Series fits the bill. Highlights include Grammy Award-winning pianist Yefim Bronfman performing Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 on December 8, the Sarasota Orchestra debut of trailblazing violinist Anne Akiko Meyers performing a new commissioned work on February 2, and a closing concert featuring both international pianist Jon Kimura Parker performing Beethoven and the premiere of a new work by American composer Peter Boyer, in honor of Sarasota Orchestra Artistic Administrator Pat Joslyn on April 6. For a more intimate musical experience, the Chamber Soiree concerts range from Mendelssohn and Maslanka to Schubert, Beethoven, Dvorak and even a concert dedicated to 20th Century Masters. —P.Lederer Sarasota Orchestra, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-953-3434, sarasotaorchestra.org
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
With every season, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens blurs and blends the line between science and art, crafting campus wide exhibitions that invite viewers to revel in the beauty of the natural world just as they marvel at its evolutionary wonders and the people decoding its mysteries, to bask in the brilliance of history’s greatest artists, while always paying respect to that greatest artist of all—mother nature. From the annual Orchid Show to the always-anticipated Goldstein exhibition series, it’s the difference between a walk in the garden and a trip to a “The Living Museum.” The gardens are in full bloom this month with the return of the Orchid Show. The theme this year? Purple. Popular with both pollinators and people, purple is a common color for both naturally occurring orchids and man-made cultivars—giving the horticultural artists at Selby Gardens plenty to work with when transforming the Selby Gardens Conservatory into an all-purple orchid extravaganza and the color has often been associated with everything from royalty and luxury to wisdom and magic. “We’re going to explore all of that,” says Selby Gardens CEO Jennifer Rominiecki. “As well as the numerous botanical connections to purple hues, including rose, lavender, violet and, of course, orchid itself. The idea is to really immerse the visitor in purple and showcase the magnificence and majesty of this royal family of plants. We think very carefully about how all of the experiences weave together to create an impactful season that gives people a reason to return. We don’t want you to come just once!”
Below left to right: Sarasota Orchestra. Selby Gardens Orchid Show, Lophiaris teaboana and Dendrobium crepidiferum.
“THEIR PORTRAITS ARE FROM A WONDERFUL KIND OF HUMANIST TRADITION OF PHOTOGRAPHY.”
— Christopher Jones
I Want You to Know My Story
This season, gender identity, desire and portraiture are all on display at The Ringling with the museum’s exhibition: Jess T. Dugan: I want you to know my story. The exhibition, which debuts in August, delves into the work of Jess T. Dugan, a contemporary, photo-based artist who explores various facets of identity, masculinity and sexuality through their work. “Jess is a really phenomenal photographer who is able to sort of explore the currents of desire and identity through how they present the subject. First of all, their portraits are from a wonderful kind of humanist tradition of photography that I think creates a sense of empathy and intimacy with the subject that you’re looking at,” says Christopher Jones, The Ringling’s Stanton B and Nancy W Kaplan Curator of Photography and Media Art. “You’re confronted by someone who is offering themselves up to you in a way that feels kind of vulnerable but also is poignant, ephemeral and immediate in a lot of ways.” The exhibition will consist of 21 photographs, including two brand new pieces and two video works, all from the last four to five years. Dugan’s work, which is rooted in their experience as a queer, nonbinary person, focuses heavily on the portraiture of those around them, from family and friends to the workers at local grocery stores. Their work, which brings the innate beauty out of their seemingly ordinary subjects, plays with light and positioning to give what Jones calls a sort of “baroque” sensibility to their photographs. “One of the things that really struck me about Jess’s photography, is that they are able to present subjects in a way that makes the sitter just seem beautiful, but without the sort of conventions and trappings of lots of makeup and the kind of glamor you associate with traditional studio or celebrity portraiture. At the same time, they’re able to bring out the best in their subjects in a way that really elevates their humanity and their presence,” says Jones. —D. Campbell. The Ringling Museum of Fine Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, 941-359-5700, ringling.org
Below: Self Portrai, 2021; Elcid (green room), 2023; and, Wisteria, 2021, photography by Jess T. Dugan.
Below: Experience a journey through time with Nothing New: Archives of Affection at the Willis Smith Gallery, Ringling College of Art and Design.
Nothing New: Archives of Affection
Being in love is not a novel concept. However, being in love with a certain type of person, say one of the same sex or gender, has not always been an accepted one. At the Ringling College Galleries, located on the campus of the Ringling College of Art and Design, that concept of forbidden love is being explored this season with their show Nothing New: Archives of Affection. The show, which premieres in the Willis Smith Gallery in November, delves into the history of both photography and queer love by presenting over 300 tintype photographs of same-sex couples from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. “From the friend of a friend of a faculty member, I was introduced to 600 tintypes of male couples and female couples and even some interracial couples from the early 20th century and perhaps even the late 19th century. They’re these very small metal photographs, what you would get at a fair or a festival, many of which are only half an inch big,” says Tim Jaeger, Chief Curator and Director of the Galleries. “What’s neat about the tintype process is how crystal clear they are. You can scan them at a very high resolution. Using our large screen LED walls in addition to our print services we’ll be able to blow up these images so that you can really get inside them and almost feel like you’re getting to know the people in the pictures.” The show, which is curated by members of Jaeger’s Exhibition Design and Management class, tells the story of queer love in America during a time in which it was not widely accepted. “The whole process of sifting through these tintypes is like cultural anthropology,” says Jaeger. “It’s not just dealing with art, it’s unearthing stories, looking at culture and talking about the bigger picture. No pun intended.” —
D.Campbell
Joe Fig
Joe Fig knew that it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. In 2023, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam was holding the biggest museum exhibition of the year—a blockbuster showing of the works of legendary Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, the most complete collection of Vermeer’s works ever displayed. Fig, who is a nationally exhibited artist and author in his own right, as well as the Department Chair of the Fine Arts and Visual Studies programs at Ringling College of Art and Design, had to go. Fig’s attendance, however, was more than just the chance to see a once in a lifetime show. It was a research trip as well, informing his latest exhibition Joe Fig: Contemplating Vermeer, set to debut this November at Sarasota Art Museum (SAM). “Joe is an absolutely great painter and paints these amazing, small paintings that have miniature paintings within them. His Contemplating series is really a voyeuristic series where he travels to galleries, museums and openings, documents people looking at art and then paints from the photos that he takes,” says Virginia Shearer, Executive Director of SAM. “We will probably never in our lifetimes have all of these Vermeer paintings in one place again. Joe’s paintings are exquisite, little love letters to Vermeer, his light, his drapery and the way that people are just riveted to his works.” —D. Campbell Sarasota Art Museum 1001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-309-4300, sarasotaartmuseum.org
Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-359-7563, ringlingcollege.gallery
No One is Forgotten
At Sarasota’s Urbanite Theatre, pushing the boundaries of theatrical storytelling is always on the agenda. The company’s 11th season features four mainstage productions that do just that, including the regional premiere of Winter Miller’s No One Is Forgotten. The story is distinct from the moment the stage lights turn on—it takes place entirely in a cramped cement cell, where US citizens Lali and Beng have been detained for an unknown period of time. No One Is Forgotten, inspired by the true accounts of detained aid workers and journalists, brings the audience along as the two women must lean on each other to survive their current plight. “Throughout the season, we’re meeting people who are navigating the human condition. With No One Is Forgotten, one of the things that I find truly fascinating about the play is that we meet these two women after they have already been detained for quite some time. They’re already in pure survival mode; it’s not like they’ve just been captured and are trying to figure out how to survive,” says Summer Wallace, Producing Artistic Director of Urbanite Theatre. “We’re already down there and when you’re already in that situation, your truths are revealed and we’re so honest because there is nowhere to hide from the other person.” Because the play is so intimate in nature, the cast is just Lali and Beng and the setting is confined to the cell, it requires a certain demeanor from the actors taking part in it. “This play requires a significant amount of vulnerability and willingness to not get stuck. Some of the scenes could be done a million different ways and this play is going to require a lot of willingness to be open and vulnerable and play as opposed to ‘You sit here, you walk here, you stand here’,” says Wallace. —D.Campbell Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd Street, Sarasota, 941 321-1397, urbanitetheatre.com
Our Embrace Reimagined
“THIS PLAY REQUIRES A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF VULNERABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO NOT GET STUCK.”
— Summer Wallace
This November, an all-new arts festival is taking Sarasota by storm. The Living Arts Festival, produced by Sarasota Rising, is a week-long arts festival that looks to showcase the region’s arts organizations, further cementing Sarasota as Florida’s Cultural Coast. The festival will serve as a jumping-off point for attendees to immerse themselves in the region’s arts scene and will feature five distinct, self-produced events. One of the events, Our Embrace Reimagined, which takes place in the middle of the festival, is particularly emblematic of the festival’s mission to promote inclusivity and collaboration amongst the area’s arts organizations. The event began as a collaboration between Marie Selby Botanical and Embracing Our Differences. Every year, Embracing Our Differences holds a juried exhibition featuring billboard-sized panels of artworks accompanied by inspiring quotes from volunteers across the world. Every year, however, there are panels that don’t make the final exhibition. “When we were planning out how to build collaboration between the different arts organizations, someone brought up the question of what happens to the panels at Embracing Our Differences when they’re done with them?” says Jeffery Kin, Executive Director of Sarasota Rising. “Together we thought, ‘Why don’t we give them to a local arts group, let them produce something based on the panels and then rehang them?’” That initial brainstorming session gave way to an event that will feature multiple arts organizations in a variety of ways. Groups such as Sarasota Contemporary Dance, CreArte Latino and Modern Marimba, will make a five-minute performance piece based off of a panel of their choosing. Those panels will then be staged around Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point Campus, where attendees will be able to purchase walking tours to see the different performances. —D.Campbell Living Arts Festival November 10 to 17, Sarasota Rising, sarasotarising.org
This page: Renata Friedman (left) and Sarah Nina Hayon from No One is Forgotton, photo by Paula Court, courtesy of Winter Miller.
Wonderland: Illuminate Sat, Nov 22, 2024 - Sun, Jan 5, 2025
Sailor Circus 75th Anniversary Jubilee Show Thurs, Dec 26 - Sun, Dec 29, 2024
Circus Arts Gala Fri, Jan 31, 2025
Circus Sarasota Sat, Feb 15 - Sun, Mar 9, 2025
Cirque des Voix Fri, Mar 21 - Sat, Mar 22, 2025
Sailor Circus Spring Showcase Fri, April 25Sun, April 27, 2025
Hollywood in Venice
This season at the Venice Symphony, the silver screen reigns supreme. Nestled amongst the other 10-plus concerts the organization is putting on is Hollywood in Venice, a celebration of some of the best film music ever to grace the big screen. “This is really the greatest film music coming to Venice, Florida,” says conductor Troy Quinn, Music Director of the Symphony. “Guest vocalist Andrea Zomorodian will be featured on Ennio Morricone pieces like Once Upon a Time in the West as well as pieces from John Williams from A.I. Artificial Intelligence. We’re playing everything in that concert from pieces from Chinatown to something for the kids from Madagascar to Gone with the Wind and everything in between.” Quinn, a member of the conducting faculty of the University of Southern California’s Thorton School of Music, has long held ties to Hollywood. From his recent regional Emmy nomination for his work with the Owensboro Symphony to extensive work in the film and television industry, Quinn has used these connections to provide the Venice Symphony with an inside edge to gain access to film scores that other companies may not be privy to. “My barometer for what we play is not only what I can get my hands on, but what I can’t get my hands on that’s going to be unique and perhaps never performed before outside of the studios,” says Quinn. “That’s the unique thing about the Venice Symphony and what we do; we have that connection to some of these composers so we’re playing things that you’ve never heard outside the movie itself which is very cool. With that, we try to have some balance between implementing unique things that haven’t been heard and peppering the program with classics that people will know.” —D.Campbell The Venice Symphony, 1 Indian Ave, Building 5, Venice, 941-207-8822, thevenicesymphony.org
“WE’RE PLAYING EVERYTHING IN THAT CONCERT FROM PIECES FROM CHINATOWN TO SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS, FROM MADAGASCAR TO GONE WITH THE WIND.”— Troy Quinn
This page: Singer Andrea Zomoradian featured at the Hollywood in Venice performance by The Venice Symphony. Music Director Troy Quinn.
Dracula
The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School (SCBS) is known for offering some of the best training in Cuban ballet in the country. Their programs are varied and diverse, ranging in age and skill levels. The heart of the institution is their Pre-Professional Program, an intensive track that has seen its graduates perform with some of the top ballet companies in the world, from The Royal Ballet to the Washington Ballet and more.
More recently, another track has opened up in SCBS— The Gulfcoast Studio Company. “This is our second season of the Gulfcoast Studio Company. Because we have such a reputation as a school and pre-professional program, people continue to see us that way,” says Artistic Director Ariel Serrano. “And there’s nothing wrong with that because my heart lies in school and education. Without well-rounded, educated dancers, the future of dance is dead, but the studio company is starting to take on a life of its own.”
The dream for SCBS is to have their own professional company, but for now, the Gulfcoast Studio Company will act as a bridge between the training students receive in the Summer Intensive program and their professional careers. The studio company, however, is more than just a training program—they are a full-on company of elite dancers with a season that includes seven distinct performances. The second performance in their season is a production of Dracula, featuring original choreography from the minds at SCBS. “Dracula is a fun piece. It has some elements of classicism, but it’s not completely classic,” says Serrano. “We produce the ballet in our black box theater and it features in-house choreography from Associate Director Rolando Yanes and Ballet Mistress Monica Isla. It’s challenging to create new choreography, but we try to keep small bits and pieces of the ballet’s history within the production.”—D.Campbell Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, 4740 Cattlemen Rd, Sarasota, 941-365-8400, srqcubanballet.org
Fun Home
“WITHOUT WELL-ROUNDED, EDUCATED DANCERS, THE FUTURE OF DANCE IS DEAD.” — Ariel Serrano
What’s old is new this year at The Sarasota Players, the area’s oldest and longest-lasting community theater. Celebrating its 95th season in 2024-2025, The Sarasota Players has a stacked lineup of classics and some new-age works to highlight their special year. Wrapped into a season that’s steeped in literary themes is the organization’s production of the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home, based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel. “The story follows Alison from when she was a little girl being raised in a funeral home with her brothers in the 1970s to going to college and growing up. It delves into how she’s learning about her sexuality while her father has hidden his for pretty much their entire lives,” says Amanda Heisey, Marketing Director of The Sarasota Players. “It still can be really fun and charming but it has a little bit of a heavier theme to it.” For The Sarasota Players, producing Fun Home is a chance to do something entirely different—the organization’s production of Fun Home will be a first for the Sarasota area. “We’ve always liked to put something in our season that isn’t just a standard. Fun Home is new to the area, no one here has produced it yet and it’s still a really important piece,” says Heisey. “We want to be able to show the community different works. Fun Home happens to not only be new, it’s also just such a great piece of art with an important message that fits into our literary theme for the season.””—D.Campbell The Sarasota Players, 3501 S Tamiami Trail Suite 1130, 941-365-2494, theplayers.org
This page, top to bottom: Sarasota Cuban Ballet and Ethan Vail in Seussical by Sarasota Players.
IMAGES COURTESY OF SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET AND THE SARASOTA PLAYERS.
Windjammers Unlimited
The Golden Age of the American Circus is alive and well in Sarasota with the Circus Arts Conservatory’s (CAC) annual Windjammers Unlimited performance. The performance, which is scheduled for January 2025, combines the new and old guard of the circus in a spectacle free for the community. Every year the Windjammers Unlimited, a circus music historical society, comes to Sarasota for their annual convention. The organization is made up of both playing and non-playing members, musicians from the era in which live music always accompanied the circus. Naturally, the CAC has always welcomed them with open arms, resulting in an annual performance that combines the regality of the Windjammers’ music with performances from the organization’s Sailor Circus Academy students. “The Windjammers Unlimited have been longtime supporters of the Sailor Circus. Additionally, this is the kids’ opportunity to be a part of something historic,” says Jennifer Mitchell, Executive Vice President/COO of CAC. “The show is approximately two hours long with an intermission. The first hour features nearly 100 musicians from the Windjammers in a beautiful performance of pieces of music that have been played throughout the history of the American circus and the second hour includes students of the Sailor Circus Academy performing about 10 acts to live music from the Windjammers.” The annual performance not only gives the Sailor Circus troupe an additional opportunity to showcase their skills, it also keeps a storied circus tradition alive. The musicians of the Windjammers will not live forever, but their stories and their talent will, through performances like this. —D.Campbell The Circus Arts Conservatory, 2075 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, 941-355-9805, circusarts.org
Hermitage Artist Retreat
“THIS IS THE KIDS’ OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF SOMETHING HISTORIC” — Jennifer Mitchell
The only arts organization in the area exclusively dedicated to showing new work, events at the Hermitage Artist Retreat give audiences a peek behind the curtain and into the process of celebrated international artists as they workshop their latest projects. From playwrights and novelists to composers and musicians, they all come to the Hermitage to find the space and quiet to devote themselves to their latest work. In exchange, each artist participates in at least one Hermitage event, where they share that work-in-progress with a live audience and talk about their process. Free and open to the public, events typically begin at sunset and are 60-70 minutes long including a Q&A with the artist after the performance. Held on a weekly basis, some take place beachside on the Hermitage campus, while the Sunsets at Selby series brings artist and audience into the moody seclusion of the botanical gardens and the Sunsets at Benderson Park series opts for a lakeside experience. With events held every week, keep a close eye on the Hermitage Artist Retreat website to see what’s coming. “It’s a chance to engage at an early, exciting, formative phase with some of the world’s leading artists,” says Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg. “So come with an open mind and excited to experience something new.” P.Lederer Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6630 Manasota Key Rd., Englewood, 941-475-2098, hermitageartistretreat.org
With SRQ Magazine’s Guide to Arts and Culture
Published in partnership with the Living Arts Festival, SRQ Magazine invites arts lovers to explore the incredibly thrilling 2024-25 regional arts season.
Florida’s Cultural Coast
SRQ MAGAZINE
ELITE REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Stephanie Bronzino / Keller Williams on the Water
Perry Corneau / COMPASS REAL ESTATE
Pamela Hagan / COMPASS REAL ESTATE
SHERRI MILLS / MICHAEL SAUNDERS & COMPANY
SANDRA OSORIO / COMPASS REAL ESTATE
SHELDON, GETTEL & DAHL / COLDWELL BANKER
JUDI TAULBEE / FINE PROPERTIES
PERRY CORNEAu
Perry, a proud father of two adult daughters who have also made their homes in Sarasota, is deeply passionate and unwaveringly focused on serving his clients, many of whom have been with him since the inception of his real estate career over 30 years ago.
Perry Corneau boasts a remarkable career as a condominium specialist and real estate broker in Sarasota, with a legacy dating back to 1988. Initially involved in on-site condominium sales on Siesta Key, Perry later established a condominium management company specializing in resort condominiums with vacation rental programs. His leadership roles include serving as President of the Siesta Key Condominium Council and as a Director of the Siesta Key Association.
With an extensive background in Sarasota’s diverse condominium market, Perry covers areas such as Downtown Sarasota, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, and Lakewood Ranch. His services cater to both buyers and sellers, with a dual focus on assisting investors in building portfolios of income-producing properties and aiding urgent buyers in establishing seasonal condominium residences in the Sarasota area. Perry is a sought-after consultant for local media and condominium developers, leveraging his in-depth expertise in the Sarasota condominium market. Over the course of his extensive career in Sarasota Real Estate, Perry has been a broker-owner of multiple real estate rms. Additionally, he has earned accolades as an award-winning associate and nationally ranked sales leader in one of the world’s largest international real estate networks. His association with The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota, provided him with the privilege of connecting with clients and forming friendships with individuals from around the world. Having called Sarasota home for over 40 years, Perry possesses a profound understanding of the “Sarasota Lifestyle.” He guides clients in nding the ideal Sarasota location tailored to their individual interests, whether it involves the arts, gol ng, beaches, or downtown living.
“Guiding you through the home buying journey means turning a dream into reality, ensuring every step is filled with confidence, trust, and a vision for a brighter future.”
Born and raised in Shelby Township, Michigan, Stephanie Bronzino’s love for real estate blossomed early as a receptionist at one of the leading rms in her hometown, growing her passion for the profession. Her path initially lead her to education where she obtained a bachelor’s in education and master’s degree in English as a Second Language. After a successful career as a teacher in Michigan, Stephanie relocated to Sarasota, where she followed her passion for real estate and joined the Sarasota Gulf Coast Homes team at Keller Williams on The Water, a top earning team in the area. She quickly became involved in an Agent Mentor Program as her love of teaching will always prevail, is a member of Keller Williams Luxury International, joined the Women’s Council of Realtors, and recently received a 2024 Five Star Professional Real Estate Agent Award.
Bilingual in Croatian, Stephanie understands the diverse needs from person to person. Stephanie provides a superior level of service through extensive knowledge of the local market to ensure you will nd the perfect property to match your lifestyle and needs. Guiding her clients through every step of the buying and selling process, Stephanie is committed to creating a smooth transition into their new lifestyle whether local or cross country move. She truly appreciates the countless intangible bene ts of living in Florida, from its unparalleled weather to its rich culture and diversity. Stephanie takes great pride in offering personalized services to each of her clients, whether they are seeking Residential, Multifamily, Commercial properties, or looking for representation for their Real Estate Portfolio.
The mission of Sarasota Gulf Coast Homes is to deliver excellence and aim to exceed expectations in everything we do. For many people, the purchase or sale of a home is their largest single investment. Their goal is to guide you successfully and easily through the contractual investment and emotional decisions involved in the real estate process. They are committed to providing you, your friends and family with superior service and expertise from start to nish.
PAM HAGAN
Testimonials
“One word: AWESOME! She handled this transaction with poise and professionalism. So fun! Will recommend her at every opportunity I can! Thank you Pam!!” — Bryan
“Pamela was a pleasure to work with! She is competent, knowledgeable, efficient, and generous of her time to explain fine details. She has an excellent work ethic and her seasoned real estate knows how to combine to provide a seamless, fluid experience. Her fine sense of humor was a bonus making it a pleasurable camaraderie. She got the job done quickly and smoothed the way for me. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Brava!” — William
Well-respected among her customers and fellow REALTORS®, Pamela Hagan is a Sarasota native who has been serving the local Real Estate community for nearly 40 years. She spent eight winters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from 1996-2003 raising 2 boys, Ryan and Tyler. She began her career in 1982 selling on Longboat Key with Arivda Realty Corporation 1983-1993. Then expanding her business to Siesta Key and surrounding areas of Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch. On Siesta Key she owned her own real estate company Waterfront 7 Realty. Now currently works as a Broker-Associate with Compass in the Sarasota and Tampa Bay areas. Compass is a luxury real estate brand focused on the best technology and has provided a national referral base and a unique exposure to her buyers and sellers. Recently she traveled to visit and explore Dubai, Bahamas, and Guatemala to provide global opportunities for investors inquiring to buy or sell; she has global connections. Pam has waterfront experience as well as highlights in selling large parcels of land East of 75; “Land to Sand!” working with landowners and developers to properly plan a community to bene t all parties for years to come. Being a Sarasota - Manatee county native, she understands that proper expansion is very important to the infrastructure of our communities. Over the course of her career, she sold many large waterfront homes and condominiums and has many repeat customers. She listens, delivers and specializes in bringing joy to a deal with precision. Her vast experience gives her a competitive edge that only comes with time earned. Pam combines her experience with her market knowledge to help determine which parts of Manatee or Sarasota County will be best for her customers. Making the individual’s needs of her clients a top priority with honesty and intention that builds trust. Pam assures that the real estate transaction is smooth from start to nish. Pam is a member of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. Most clients that work with Pam know it is personal and quickly become friends—“She gets the job done!” her referral ambassadors would say. When Pam is not busy selling real estate she is a beading artist who loves to explore new art mediums and she loves to give back while traveling the world; in 2010 she joined a mission trip to Honduras with JoyFM group and visited 8 different orphanages. Pam has a strong christian faith and is led by the holy spirit. She loves to volunteer helping others with local charities. Her favorite pastime is spending time on the water boating with her 3 year old golden retriever, Dolly Parton, she loves to cook and watch a good movie with friends. Overcomer is her motto, having survived a spinal cord injury in 2018 that threatened her ability to walk again - she is walking today and it took hard work and a miracle the doctors say. She continues to give back by encouraging others to do the same; those who listen to her story see they can not only survive but also thrive in circumstances beyond our control. It will change your life forever and good can come from it. All things in this life work for our good if we look for it and never give up. Pam takes your business and referrals seriously and brings a bright light and a good attitude to all situations because SHE CARES AND IT’S PERSONAL.
Pam Hagan
Compass Real Estate - Sarasota 1575 Main Street | Sarasota, FL 34236 941.400.6682
e: Pam.Hagan@compass.com Compass.com
SHERRI MILLS
“To me, the 3 most important words in real estate are you, you, and you.”
Testimonials
“Sherri is spectacular. Deep market knowledge, amazing responsiveness, tireless work ethic - all in the context of exceptional professionalism. My wife and I worked with Sherri for more than a year on the buy-side as she showed us numerous properties while learning and reflecting our preferences and priorities as we went along. When we did find a property we wanted, she was conservative and disciplined in her tactical recommendations - not a glimmer of self-interest reflected in her counsel. Once we had agreement, she was all over the details as we moved to closing - super helpful in helping to identify and arrange aspects of the sale that were not essential to closing but important to us (eg utilities, cable, insurance). Could not be more positive.”
— Stuart Smith
“I cannot recommend Sherri more highly. She is the consummate professional. She gave us guidance on when to sell, how to sell, helped with staging and then sold the place in no time. She’s a delight to work with. Sherri was recommended by a close friend, so I was not surprised by how great she was, but she still exceeded all expectations. Five stars do not suffice.”
— Bob Solomon
I have lived in Sarasota for 35 years and love this community more with each passing year. I taught Special Education, before becoming a Realtor 22 years ago, and what better prep for real estate! Asking questions, active listening, on-the- y problem solving and clear communication has given me a loyal following that has made me a Top Producing Realtor with Michael Saunders & Company, a premier Luxury brokerage rm in the area. There are a gazillion things to do from Day 1 to closing. My mission is the make the process smooth and easy for my clients. It’s that simple. After 22 years of negotiating, staging homes to sell, dealing with vendors & inspectors, working with attorneys & lenders, and overcoming the inevitable obstacles, I realize the magic is in the minutia. It’s what my clients don’t know that’s happening behind the scenes that makes the process easy. Easy for them. Gratifying for me.
SANDRA OSORIO
“When you choose to work with me, you’re not just hiring a real estate agent; you’re engaging a trusted advisor who understands luxury living and the complexities of international transactions. My clients appreciate the bespoke service I provide, knowing their investment is in the hands of a dedicated professional excelling in Sarasota’s luxury market.”
As a luxury real estate agent in Sarasota, I deliver unparalleled service, especially to international clientele. Fluent in ve languages, I bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, ensuring that each client feels understood and valued. My expertise in waterfront luxury estates consistently leads to record-breaking sales. Sarasota’s stunning coastline and vibrant lifestyle are unmatched, and I deeply understand the unique appeal these properties hold for discerning buyers worldwide. I combine specialized market knowledge with cutting-edge technology, using advanced analytics, virtual tours, and AI-driven marketing strategies to showcase each property to a global audience. My international reach and commitment to personalized service attract the right buyers, driving optimal outcomes for sellers.
mission
“My mission is to connect discerning buyers and sellers in the luxury real estate market, leveraging my multilingual skills, deep market expertise, and innovative technology to deliver exceptional results. I am dedicated to providing personalized, above-andbeyond service, ensuring that each client’s unique needs are met with the highest level of professionalism and integrity. My goal is to make the process of buying or selling a luxury property seamless, rewarding, and globally accessible.”
Sheldon, Gettel & Dahl
Elevating Real Estate Excellence. With over 30 years of unmatched expertise in Sarasota. Their proven track record of transforming visions into reality makes them the go-to choice for savvy buyers and sellers. Discover what experience can deliver.
In the world of luxury real estate, few names command the level of respect and admiration as Sheldon, Gettel & Dahl. This award-winning trio offers a comprehensive and elevated experience for their discerning clientele. With a foundation built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to excellence, they provide clients with an opportunity to navigate the complexities of the Sarasota market with con dence and ease. Brandy Sheldon, Kelly Gettel and Dyrk Dahl bring decades of experience in the Sarasota marketplace. Specializing in a wide array of real estate endeavors from new development condominium projects to luxury waterfront homes to investment properties. What truly sets this team apart is their organic understanding of Sarasota’s unique real estate landscape, ensuring that each client receives concierge-level service tailored to their individual needs. This hands-on approach has propelled them to over $1 Billion in combined sales and earned them a reputation as industry leaders. For those seeking a real estate team that embodies integrity, expertise, and a passion for excellence, Sheldon, Gettel & Dahl are the names to know. Their dedication to providing responsive, high-quality service has earned them the loyalty of their clients and the respect of their peers, making them a formidable force in Sarasota’s competitive real estate market.
OUR MISSION At Sheldon, Gettel & Dahl, we are driven to elevate real estate services by embracing excellence, integrity, and a personalized approach to client care. We are dedicated to providing a comprehensive real estate experience that exceeds expectations, builds enduring relationships, and achieves success. By leveraging our thorough knowledge of the Sarasota market and our innovative strategies, we guide clients through their real estate journey, ensuring a seamless and rewarding experience.
Pictured left to right: Keith Kleppinger, Kelly Gettel, Dyrk Dahl, Brandy Sheldon, Carlye Crabtree
JUDI TAULBEE
I am genuinely passionate about bringing my client’s dreams to life! As a distinguished recipient of the Five Star Agent Award 5 years in a row, I have also been recognized in Forbes Magazine in 2020 and 2023, and Top Agent Magazine in 2024. I am truly committed to serving each client with exceptional personal, and first class service.
HIGHLY SKILLED IN THE ACQUISITION AND MARKETING OF RESIDENTIAL, LUXURY AND INVESTMENT PROPERTIES, I offer exceptional representation and am dedicated to providing crucial, in-depth local market knowledge. I caringly provide each client with individual attention, enthusiasm and intimate knowledge into the Greater Sarasota Real Estate Market. From Sarasota to Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Parrish, Venice and across to The Islands. My love for the coastal lifestyle is very present as I caringly serve my client’s speci c real estate goals.
At every interaction, I pro cient counsel, trusted insights and deep commitment are clearly demonstrated. I am very Creative, Strategic and offer a smart solution-oriented and responsive approach. When working with Sellers, I design a highlighted and impactful listing presentation that skillfully leverages each listing’s visibility. I accurately address each critical issue to clearly accentuate each property’s speci c features and stand out in the marketplace by incorporating professionally produced photography and presentation in print and on numerous websites. In working with buyers, I diligently align and apply myself, so that I may clearly understand my client’s speci c priorities and locate a residence and distinguished setting that meets their lifestyle requirements. I deliver impressive results by covering and clearly anticipating every angle found in the multitude of details in each transaction
My clients enjoy the personal touches, and heartfelt care and it is truly my joy to ultimately ful ll the request throughout the transaction and graciously serve you. I provide immediate accessibility, answer timely questions, and trusted guidance that make me invaluable to my clients. I am Masterful at nding creative and equitable solutions to make each transaction come together with positive results. My dedication to providing an unprecedented depth of real estate expertise. That is all part of the design that allows me to always accomplish truly elevated achievements for my clients.
Judi Taulbee Fine Properties
5224 Paylor Lane Sarasota, FL 34240
941.544.6227
e: juditaulbee@gmail.com FinePropertiesfl.com
ELITE
OLD HOLLYWOOD 1960s Box Purse $125, 1970s Leather and Brass Belt with Onyx Buckle $55, 1960s Printed Zebra Belt $45, Canned Ham Vintage, 2081 12th St, Sarasota, 941-313-1280; Louis Ralff Lamp 1950s $1,600, Hudson Mercantile, 1003 East Ave, Sarasota, 941-750-0707.
VINTAGE VOGUE
Bringing new life to preloved clothing and homeware. Megan Mitchell
JUST SET IT THERE 1970s Reversible Canvas + Leather Trenchcoat $195, 1950s Brass and Wool Handbag $95, 1950s Reptile Skin Handbag $94, 1950s Embossed Leather and Silk Pumps $60, 1970s Sunglasses $68, Red Jewelry Set $70, Canned Ham Vintage, 2081 12th St, Sarasota, 941-313-1280; Pace Collection Spring Table $550, McCollins Modern, 1015 East Ave, Sarasota, 941-993-5371.
HONEY I’M HOME 1960s Western Electric Rotary Phone, Yellow Aerosoles Heels, Butter Curated Thrift, 6625 Superior Ave, Sarasota, 941-402-4751; Mid 20th Century Rug $425, Braden River Antiques, 1005 East Ave, Sarasota, 941-750-0707; 1950s Leather and Suede Handbag $32, Yellow Necklace $85, The Ethan Allen Treasury of American Traditional Interiors, Canned Ham Vintage, 2081 12th St, Sarasota, 941-313-1280.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.
CLEAN BEAUTY
The Figgy Company brings a fresh beauty philosophy to Burns Square. Eliana Burns
JENNY CROUCH, THE OWNER OF THE FIGGY COMPANY AND AN ULTRASOUND TECH BY TRADE, Jenny Crouch, the owner of the Figgy Company and an ultrasound tech by trade, was living in Tennessee when she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder. “I went to see my functional doctor, and he talked about the different things that we use on our bodies,” Crouch explains, “and how anything that comes into contact with our skin can have an effect on our endocrine system.” As a self-proclaimed product junkie, Crouch soon found herself deep in the rabbit hole of clean, natural products she could use without concern. Moving to Wilmington, North Carolina, Crouch was left without the natural beauty stores and wellness brands that had been accessible to her in Tennessee, which eventually inspired her to start her own clean beauty business in December 2019. Stocked with nontoxic makeup and hair care products, the Figgy Company proved to be an invaluable addition to the Wilmington community. “I look at every product that I bring in and read each ingredient to make sure that there is nothing harmful in anything that I sell, so customers can come in and shop worry free.” Take brands like Ilia for example. Ilia is the most popular brand the Figgy Company sells, that said, its eyeliner contains phenoxyethanol, a preservative that falls in the gray area of what is considered clean ingredients. Consequently, Ilia’s eyeliner is not for sale at the Figgy Company. If there’s a questionable ingredient, Crouch will unquestionably refuse to sell it. Reflecting on her journey, Crouch has this advice for those taking their first steps towards wellness, “It’s all about baby steps; make one change at a time, and before you know it, you are well on your way towards your goals.” SRQ
PRESENTING SPONSOR
HOME OF THE YEAR WINNERSSHOWCASE
SRQ Magazine’s Home of the Year Competition invites local architects, builders, interior designers and landscape artists to present us with new notions of home environments by submi ing their recent residential projects. Year a er year, the competition redefines the spaces where we live and thrive—broadening the discussion of what a home represents and what it can ultimately be with today’s building strategies, renovation techniques and regional trends. From seaside to streetside, inside and out, these award-winning domains celebrate and contribute to a growing legacy of innovative home design.
Blackburn Bay Sweet Sparkman
Lido Beach House Leader Design Studio, SAWA Design Studio
Tarpon Bend DSDG Architects
BEST OVERALL HOME OVER $4 MILLION
PLATINUM
BLACKBURN BAY
SWEET SPARKMAN
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BAY ISLE
DSDG ARCHITECTS
BEST OVERALL HOME $2-4 MILLION
PLATINUM
TARPON BEND
DSDG ARCHITECTS
GOLD
DRAMATIC VIEW
DSDG ARCHITECTS
SILVER
CONTEMPORARY
FARMHOUSE/
POMELO PLACE
DUAL ENTRY |
MURRAY HOMES/ AND MASTERS
COLLECTIVE
BEST OVERALL HOME UNDER $2 MILLION
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ANNE FOLSOM SMITH INTERIOR DESIGN
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LEADER DESIGN STUDIO, SAWA DESIGN STUDIO
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RESIDENCE DWY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
BEST LANDSCAPING
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BEST GREEN/ SUSTAINABILITY
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Murray Homes, AND Masters Collective
Kitchen Cabinets and Bathroom
Sarasota Architectural Woodworking
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DSDG Architects
Kitchen Cabinets
Cucine Ricci, Ninzan Studio
Eible House Architura
Pomelo Place
forage
CUBA LIBRE
Cuban cuisine is freed from the diner experience at the white-tableclothed Cuba 1958. Andrew Fabian
Below: The ropa vieja is a savory mound of shredded beef cooked in sofrito.
This page left to right: The upscale interior (left) puts Cuban food in a new context. Roasted pork, a trademark of Cuban cuisine, seasoned with a traditional citrus garlic marinade and slow roasted for 12 hours.
IN
THE SAME WAY THAT SEASIDE HIGH RISES AND BIKINI-CLAD ROLLERBLADERS OFFER AN INCOMPLETE PICTURE OF MIAMI, so too do ventanitas (walk-up windows) and Cuban cafes offer an incomplete image of Cuban cuisine. Outside of Miami, Cuban food is typified by a pressed Cuban sandwich from a small cafe or a gas station. Maybe it’s a heap of black beans and rice served with mojo-roasted pork, garlicky pan drippings spilling out the side of a styrofoam container. But in Miami—from the dime-a-dozen strip malls of Hialeah to the historic thoroughfares of Little Havana—there’s an elevated Cuban dining experience that, until now, Sarasota has lacked (at least in the opinion of this Cuban American food writer from Miami). With white tablecloths and a chef with fine-dining pedigree, Cuba 1958 is poised to introduce many in the region to the novel idea that Cuban food can be kinda fancy.
The Cuban-born owners—Danny Jimenez of Santiago de Cuba and Chef Osniel Chirino of Havana—took over the former downtown Flavio’s location on Main Street. It’s the second Cuban concept from Jimenez, whose first Cuba 1958 restaurant in Westfield, New Jersey, became an instant hit when it opened in 2018. And, as the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Appetizer highlights include the croquetas—ham or cod—fried croquettes that are often the first to disappear from a Cuban household’s party platter.
A Cuban-style tamal features the typical corn of its Mexican counterpart, but adds mojo-roasted pork. The
plantain chips with guac is a bright, tropical, familiar bit of Latin American goodness, with the chips made in-house. Entrees feature some of the usual suspects, such as Ropa Vieja and Lechón Asado (roast pork). The ropa vieja (translation: “old clothes”) is a savory stewed beef—most commonly flank steak—shredded into tender filaments after cooking in sofrito, a tomatobased cooking stock flavored primarily with onions, garlic and green bell peppers. The umami compounds during the cooking process, culminating in a rich, savory flavor similar to an all-American beef stew but turned up several notches.
With the lechon asado, ask for an extra spoonful of the pan drippings, not because it needs it but because the pan drippings are as good as gold in a Cuban household. And for good reason. By far the most prized entree on the menu is the Rabo Encendido (translation: tail on fire). In this case, the “tail” is oxen and the preparation has seldom been seen outside the island nation. Even with the recent rise in popularity of traditionally “cheap” meats like oxtail, the search for rabo encendido would likely prove fruitless for anyone outside of Miami. At Cuba 1958, Chef Chirino plates up four big chunks of oxtail that have been braised lovingly for hours. The result is a tender, silky, Beefy-with-a-capital-B entree whose jus drizzle is so concentrated with flavor it should come with a warning label: Please enjoy this just sitting down.
Lovers of steak should take note of the bistec de palomilla. It’s a thin cut sirloin pan-fried quickly and topped with sautéed onions. The rapid sear over high
heat gives the exterior an almost crispy bite. It is, by any meaningful measure, a delicious and novel way to eat a slab of beef. But this is not a preparation that typically comes blood-red in the center.
The sides are portioned generously and feature more of the staples that feed the typical Cuban family. Congri (or moro , depending on what part of Cuba you’re from)—similar to black beans and rice except the beans are cooked with the rice—comes heaped in a mound of balanced carbs and protein. Yuca with mojo is a deliciously starchy serving of boiled cassava topped with garlic-rich mojo. Those that like french fries will probably enjoy tostones more—deep-fried plantain patties with a dash of salt.
Both the mojitos (which come in flights!) and the flan highlight the propensity for Cuban cuisine to err on the side of sweet. Order the flan early—they tend to run out. Cuba 1958 is also one of the few places where Sarasotans can enjoy a bottle of Hatuey, a light, Cuban-style lager. SRQ
This page left to right: The flan (left) is sweet beyond comprehension. Owners Danny Jimenez and Chef Osniel Chirino (top right) are all smiles in their bustling new restaurant. Housemade plantain chips and guacamole are a light and approachable snack.Cuba 1958, 1766 Main Street, Sarasota, 941-280-1958, cuba1958.com
INNOVATION IN PHILANTHROPY
A CONVERSATION WITH NELLE MILLER OF ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK, BILL SADLO OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SARASOTA AND DESOTO COUNTIES, COLLEEN THAYER OF NAMI SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTIES BRENA SLATER OF SAFE CHILDREN COALITION
SRQ MAGAZINE BRANDED CONTENT PROGRAM | OCTOBER 2024 | INTERVIEWED AND COMPILED BY BARBIE HEIT
LET’S START BY SHARING A BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION.
BRENA SLATER, CEO, SAFE CHILDREN COALITION Safe Children Coalition is a large, $55 million a year nonprofit organization. Internally, we have about 300 sta members and we contract out for many more sta with case management. Our organization manages the foster care, adoptions and protective supervision for all of the children that are in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. We also have a shelter that serves Sarasota and DeSoto children that we are contracted with and it’s a short-term shelter for families, whether children are runaways, truant or if parents just need a respite. COLLEEN THAYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NAMI NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness and we are the Sarasota and Manatee County a liates. We are one of more than 600 across the country, and there are 24 Florida a liates. A liates run with anything from a handful of volunteers like ours started with, to NAMI organizations in say New York City, which is just huge. What we’re aiming to do is o er that level and amount of programming. We’re a mid-
ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS
All Faiths Food Bank, Nelle Miller Nelle S. Miller is a longtime community leader with more than 16 years of nonprofit management experience in Sarasota County. Nelle was named president and CEO of All Faiths Food Bank in January a er previously serving as a board member and board chair. During that time, she helped lead the food bank response through Hurricane Irma and COVID. Prior to being appointed president and CEO, Nelle served on the boards – and o en as board chair – of several Sarasota nonprofits. In 2022, she was recruited to provide interim leadership to Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast, and later, UnidosNow. Nelle was a founding partner of BizTank in Sarasota and PlanetResume and So ware House, both in Boston. She holds a BA from Brandeis University and a Harvard University Executive Program certificate in Governing for Excellence. She is an avid runner and volunteer, and commi ed to creating cultures that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion.
size organization in this market but we’re tiny compared to Safe Children Coalition. Our budget is about one and a half million now. When I started, I was the fi rst employee they ever had and I was part time. That was about six and a half years ago. We’ve got 25 now, so we’ve grown a lot over the last six years. NAMI o ers support and education as our core function. We are not clinical or treatment providers at all. We o er individuals living with any kind of mental health condition support programs and we do the same thing for families and caregivers. We’ve expanded into recognizing that there are a whole bunch of youth and young adults in this community that are having mental health challenges and that’s been exacerbated over the last couple of years. We have a family peer support program which is where we literally hold someone’s hands as they wade through the process and the services. NELLE MILLER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK All Faiths Food Bank is the only food bank in Sarasota and DeSoto Counties and the largest distributor of food in the two areas. We distribute roughly 22 million pounds of food a year right now to
over 70,000 of our neighbors. We have 700 distributions a month, and we have all kinds of partners in the community, including the Boys & Girls Club, especially over the summer, who we work with to get the food out to our neighbors. People sometimes have the misnomer that we’re a food pantry, but when you come to our facility out here on Blaikie Court, which is where we have our warehouse and o ces, we have over 50,000 square feet of racks with food and freezers and refrigerators. So it’s like a small Costco. BILL SADLO, PRESIDENT AND CEO, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SARASOTA AND DESOTO COUNTIES We serve children 6 through 18 years of age in both after-school and summer programming. Last year we served 3,348 young people and are trending to do the same this year or more. We have 11 sites throughout Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. And of those 11 sites, six are full service Boys & Girls Clubs. Five of them are school sites where the children stay after school and we provide programs there. Lastly, I’d say we focus on three major areas–academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.
Boys and Girls Club, Bill Sadlo Bill Sadlo’s journey with Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties began at the age of eight when he became a proud member of the Fruitville Boys Club (now the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club). Bill later graduated from Sarasota High School and acquired his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of South Florida in 1992. Since then, Bill has moved up the ranks in roles that have taken him all over the nonprofit, from an assistant program director to being named President/CEO in 2011; devoting his entire 35-year career to the organization that empowered him to succeed. In 2017, Boys & Girls Clubs of America presented Bill with the National Professional Service Award to honor his 30 years of dedication. Since then, he has been recognized with several other awards including; the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Bull by the Horns Award for efforts in navigating and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the inaugural
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION?
SLATER We have a HIPPY program, which is a home instruction for parents of preschool youngsters, and that’s where family advocates go in and prepare children to get ready for kindergarten. They work with our three, four and five year olds from low-income homes. The neat thing about that program is all of our advocates are or were HIPPY parents. We even have a mother-daughter team that works for us where the daughter was a HIPPY child and the mom was a HIPPY parent. We have a program through Sarasota County for school children that are homeless so that we make sure they can get to their home schools, help them with housing if they need it, school bus transportation, school uniforms and whatever kind of services they need. Something that is also di erent about us is that we serve thousands more children in diversion than we do in our system. People know us for having all the foster care adoption children, but we really work on diverting thousands of children outside of our system.
THAYER What sets us apart is that we are the only all peer-led organization around. NAMI is completely peer run, meaning everybody, all of our sta volunteers either have their own experience as somebody who lives with a mental health condition and/or is a family member. So for me, I’m a family member. Like Brena mentioned about the HIPPY program, the lived experience that you get from working with somebody who has been through a similar experience to you is it’s just part of that whole continuum of care that we think is part of recovery, and you can’t get through the normal treatment process, so it’s part of that process from a large service perspective. We’ve got young adult stu too and we try to do a lot of outreach on suicide prevention and mental health support. We do that in and out of the schools as well. In addition to the family peer support, which expanded the last couple of years, we’re in year two with Safe Children Coalition to try to work specifically with fathers. We have a program called Parents for Parents that works with families in the child welfare system. We’re on the side of support and trying to get them through that
very challenging time ultimately with a goal of reunification. Our parents that work in that program have been through that experience, and that gives families more hope. Also, we took over a program in 2021 that is a mental health drop-in center. We’ve got a site in Sarasota and one in Venice, and it is a program that literally provides day drop-in services for adults that live with mental health conditions. It doesn’t matter what the diagnosis is. These sites o er support groups, classes and wellness activities. We’ve got somebody who helps in the kitchen every day because they love to cook. We’ve got somebody who leads yoga, di erent kinds of things like that.
SADLO The community is starting to realize some of the high-level programming that we’re doing, especially with our teens serving as full voting members on boards of directors through our Star Leadership Program or starting their own businesses through our Perlman Price Young Entrepreneurs program. But other things people may not know about us, and this is very apropos for our partnership with Nelle, is that we served 97,000 meals and snacks last year. Couldn’t do that without partnerships like All Faiths Food
Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth Megaphone Award (2022) for efforts to amplify youth voices, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Robert M. Sykes Award for Professional Excellence (2023), the Sarasota Magazine Unity Award (2023), the SRQ Media Good Hero Award (2023) and CEO of the Year by the Florida Area Council of Boys & Girls Clubs of America (2023).
Safe Children Coalition, Brena
Slater Brena Slater, SCC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology Counseling and more than 30 years of hands-on experience in Child Welfare including relationship building, community development, leadership in case management, diversion, and strategic initiatives. Before transitioning to the CEO in October 2019, Ms. Slater worked with the Safe Children Coalition (SCC) for six years as the Vice President (VP) of Community Based Care, which proved her ability to successfully bring a community together to meet and exceed outcomes that benefit children and families.
Bank. We are also a true partner in education. For the last four summers, 100% of our youth have either maintained or improved their math and reading during the summer programs. MILLER All Faiths over the last few years has really developed into an organization that provides wraparound services. We recognize that there are people who are coming to share food with us and that there are potentially other services that we can provide for them, especially out in DeSoto County. We provide help with the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) application, we provide help with tax returns and we also do a lot of navigating through the Uniteus platform to send neighbors to other organizations that provide services that they need. There’s a big movement in this country for food as medicine, or food is medicine (there’s an argument whether it’s ‘is’ or ‘as’). So we’re working with a lot of the medical practices, like Sarasota Memorial Hospital, to do hunger screenings. And then when someone’s determined to have some food insecurity needs, they are referred to us and we provide them with links to other organizations and services that they may
NAMI Sarasota, Colleen Thayer Colleen
serves as the Executive Director of NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties (NAMI), an organization whose mission is to provide mental health support and education to individuals and families throughout our community. She is fortunate to be able to lead a team of peers who work daily to help others experiencing mental health challenges find the resources needed to achieve wellness. Colleen holds a master’s degree in Management and Leadership, is Accredited in Public Relations, and a Certified Public Relations Counselor. She is active with several local organizations and is the immediate past chair of the board of Centerstone Florida. Colleen and her husband Chad live in Sarasota County, and are proud parents of two sons and daughter, along with three fabulous black labs.
need, as well as a permanent food distribution that they can go to. So we’re working to disrupt medical issues with nutritious food.
WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU’VE
BEEN
FACING LATELY?
SLATER Our more recent challenges would be our high needs youth, children that are experiencing something significant, whether it’s mental health, substance abuse or just trauma throughout their life, and now all of a sudden they’re a teenager. COVID probably exasperated a lot of the feelings of children and some of the isolation. We are getting in earlier before their parents hit this crisis situation to where they can no longer handle their children. We want to make sure that this isn’t just our issue, but that it’s the community’s issue. These kids are our community kids. We’re not going to make them better in our foster care system of care because there are so many kids across the state and actually across the country that are having such significant needs that there are not appropriate places for them. I also want to say something about the partnership that we’ve had with Parents for Parents and Fatherhoods. It’s so important for people to understand that it doesn’t matter whether you have the best case manager in the world–having a peer that has gone through the system, letting a parent know they can get better, that they’re going to get better, it’s just been amazing to see some of the parents and especially some of our dads who are working on fatherhood initiatives. People tend to think it’s all about the moms but there are a lot of dads out there that are really good dads, they just haven’t been given the chance to try. I want to give a plug for working together with NAMI for that and really making sure that there are peers available for our parents. We have a community shelter that’s through a di erent funding source than the Department of Children and Families,
which is our largest revenue. And we’re in the middle of a capital campaign to build a new one. Our current shelter only holds 12 youth, but our new shelter will hold 24 youth. Currently, there’s just not enough beds to take care of the high needs youth. A lot of them now are from Baker Act facilities where their parents are refusing to come pick them up or from the Department of Juvenile Justice. We’re getting these kids before they come into the foster care system, so we will take them into our shelter and try to work with the parents on getting the child back home as opposed to foster care because again, there’s no placements available in foster care either. We’re working on building a larger community shelter and hoping to break ground in the next several months. THAYER The navigation/family parent support program that we have—we started that under a grant in 2020, the idea being that we could take a handful of families and our family peers would work with them and help them navigate that system of care and get them into services and advocate for them. We quickly figured out that we needed young adults also. So we’ve got several young adult peers on sta because they can connect with the kids. It is just very interesting to see how the parent peer can work with the family system, and the young adult peers are connecting with the youth and young adults. That program just has exploded, I think in part because it’s very hard to access services. We get a ton of referrals, and now we’re going into Cornell at Sarasota Memorial, which is their Baker Act facility for youth in Sarasota. Our peers are going in there to try to get a warm hando on discharge, which is catching people earlier. You may come out of a crisis unit and you may need treatment, intensive outpatient or partial hospital, and SMH o ers that, but there’s more need than they have space. So you might have to wait, and then we can help work
in that interim with the family. MILLER The challenge that we’re facing is if you look at the economy in this area in Sarasota County and DeSoto Counties, the misnomer is that people who are in a situation of poverty are the ones who we need to provide services and food for. But the reality is that there’s the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) level of citizen here, and we now know a family of four needs to be earning $94,000 a year to make ends meet in Sarasota County. The number’s lower in DeSoto, but it’s as di cult to attain there. So we have a whole group of people who aren’t considered within the group who would be considered at poverty level or below, who really require help. When we do math, there are probably 200,000 people-plus in the two counties that could be considered food insecure and we’re currently reaching 70,000 of them. Little by little, we’re starting to open up new partnerships and getting into parts of the community that we haven’t been able to collaborate with before. Also, when there is a storm, we’re part of the emergency response group within the county as well as within the state. With the last storm, we were able to maintain our normal deliveries once we started but we were also just taking food and water out on trucks and delivering it to parts of the area who were a ected by the floods who don’t typically receive food from us. So we were just showing up at the door with pallets of water and food. We’re a big part of that emergency response, and I think that we’re probably going to hit the peak of that in a few weeks when people start getting back into their homes and they’ve lost all their food and have to start again. SADLO Our families are the ones most a ected by community disruptions like the pandemic and hurricanes. A nationwide study said 42% of high school students feel helpless. So we feel like the youth we’re serving, especially in
our community where we’ve had so many disruptive issues, is that it may be a little higher for our teen The mental health crisis is out there, it’s real, and we took some opioid prevention dollars that we got from the state last year in our lobbying efforts and we started a behavioral health program with an embedded full-time behavioral health specialist on our team We also hire school social workers at each of our club sites.
CAN YOU SPEAK TO FUNDRAISING EFFORTS OUTSIDE OF GRANTS THAT OUR READERS MAY BE ABLE TO HELP WITH?
THAYEROurs would be our NAMI Walks. We do one fund-raiser a year that is fundraising, but also huge awareness. NAMI Walks is a national program, so there are NAMI Walks all over the country. We were approved to start it here actually during COVID. The fi rst one was a hybrid thing, and it’s been growing ever since. This will technically be our fourth. It’s October 5th, and that’s our main and only external fund-raiser and awareness event we do. It’s a fun walk, so it’s not a 5K, 10K. It’s really just come out, have a good time, and then people can create teams and have folks join their teams and raise money that way. SLATER Most of our funding is government funding. So one of the parts about government funding is that while they fund us for operational things, they don’t provide funding for capital. We are in the middle of a capital campaign right now, so we are defi nitely raising money for that to be able to build a new youth shelter. And that will be where we will be able to house up to 24 youth ages 10 to 17. Our current shelter and even our previous shelter had dorm style rooms or rooms where you had to have two or three children in them. Our new shelter will have the availa-bility to have children with single
EVERYONE LOVES A HAPPY ENDING. CAN YOU SHARE A SUCCESS STORY? SLATER
rooms. There are pretty strict regulations when you have children in the same room. You can’t have children more than two years apart. MILLER We run different campaigns throughout the year based upon what the current needs are. For example, we have a campaign against summer hunger that we run late winter, early spring where we provide kids with some subsidies to the food that they may not be getting because they’re not in school. In the fall, we run a campaign to raise funds so that we can purchase extra perishables. Produce is really important to us. We’re gravitating toward the healthiest food we can possibly source. So while we get a lot of the food that we distribute through donations from large distributors, we also purchase a great deal of our fruits and vegetables, proteins, milk, eggs and all of that. We also have a big campaign for purchasing turkeys. Last year we distributed almost 14,000 turkeys. SADLO There are two major ones–I just mentioned the behavioral health program, and that came from opioid prevention dollars from the state through the Department of Children and Families. Unfortunately, going into this budget year, that was vetoed by the governors so we will be getting $213,000 less this year and we have to fi gure out how to privately fund that program. It’s too important not to keep and sustain. The second one is our Everyday Club Kids. It costs us $2,500 a year to serve a child. Many youth come for free and many are on scholarships to reduce rates. We charge nowhere near that. No child pays that much. Every youth is on scholarship at the Boys & Girls Club. So we have a matching program to match every gift, $2,500 per child, and they’ll be matched one for one by an anonymous donor.
Everyone talks about adoption, but I love seeing the reunification stories. We recently had one of our case managers who saw one of our children who was a chronic runaway and di cult to deal with when he was a teenager, and he was on the run a lot, but we ended up fi nding him an adoptive home when I think he was close to 17, he ended up graduating high school, getting some advanced education. He’s now getting ready to go o to the Air Force. I love seeing kids that go on, even though they have struggled in foster care, and they struggled throughout their lives, but seeing them continue with their education and having them come back and work for our system is wonderful. Colleen gets to see it all the time, but we don’t get to see a lot of that. So whenever we do see it or they come back to be employed by us, I love it. THAYER In our drop-in program, we have a gentleman who had issues with substance use, had issues with his mental health, and lots of ongoing challenges. He started coming to the drop-in and over time, he’s become very comfortable and interacts with everybody here so well, and he’s taken on leadership roles and is helping with other groups and new people coming in. I always fi nd that really amazing to see when it comes full circle MILLER We just recently opened a new partnership in the Newtown area with a group and in a neighborhood that had never really responded to our o ers of help in the past. I started going into Newtown and literally hung out in a park with some of the community influencers who have now established a partnership with All Faiths Food Bank and have a partnership at one of the daycare centers in the community. And as a result of that, other neighbors in the community there have approached us and have been willing to talk to us about how we
can help them. It’s resulted in the design of a lot of new programs and a lot of piloting. I am so excited because we know that there are hundreds of people there who could benefit with our help and our sharing. SADLO Our teams recently went to the National Keystone Conference in Atlanta. Our club from Newtown, the Roy McBean Club, won the national award for Best Keystone Club. They won for the best project and they won for best Keystone advisor and they pretty much swept all the national awards.
WHAT ARE SOME LONG-TERM GOALS, LET’S SAY, OVER THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE YEARS?
SLATER Over the next three to five years, we want to continue our diversion and prevention e orts and doing outreach and making the community aware that it’s not just us, it’s the school systems, it’s the Department of Juvenile Justice, it’s programs like NAMI has. We want children being helped before they reach our system because once they reach our system, then there’s an abuse call that’s been made, so a child’s been abused, neglected, or abandoned once it reaches our system. Our goal is to make sure the community comes together and is educated to take care of all the children before they hit our system of care. THAYER There’s a group of us really advocating for a fi rst episode psychosis program here, which really would take kids that are experiencing a fi rst episode, which typically happens between that mid-teen, upper teen and 30 at the outset, so those college age years in particular. If you intervene really early with this kind of team approach, and there are a couple best practice models that are out there, you have better outcomes. But it takes a village. It takes a very intensive team that works with these kids and their families for a long period of time. The closest one here is in Tampa. We took over Manatee County NAMI in 2020. It was in the mid-
dle of the pandemic, so everything went online. We couldn’t really do in-person services there for a long time. Really entrenching in Manatee is important to us for all of the programs in particular. MILLER We need more space because we’re only limited by the amount of capacity we have here logistically. So a big goal is to probably double the size of our warehouse, which we’re currently in the beginning stages of working on. But that leads to us being able to serve a greater part of the population who could use our services. Right now, we can handle about 6 to 7% growth in our distribution a year. We know that we want to incrementally have reach. It benefits us in so many ways if there’s an economic impact to the community when people are lifted up because they’re not worried about what they can’t a ord to pay for. So it’s all about expansion and reaching people so that we can help them get to the next stage of their lives and make sure that they’re healthy. SADLO Priority number one is to fi nish our capital projects that we’ve kicked o . We’re going to fi nish up our Arcadia Club as we speak with building a new teen center there. We had to replace the Gene Matthews Club in North Port, and we’re going to be starting construction soon on the new Steven and Marjolaine Townsend Campus. Then the Roy McBean Club is going to be completely rebuilt. For our campus that is on public housing property on 21st Street, there’ll be a partnership there with early childhood education with the YMCA Southwest, Florida. So it’s going to be a very exciting project, a true cradle to college-wide career program campus. It’ll be wonderful. We also want to expand our teen programs. As I mentioned, we’re building a teen center in Arcadia. All of our youth in the two county areas have access to our teen program. SRQ
giving coast
AN AGENT OF CHANGE
David Crawford of Catalist Realty is an innovator who launched a real estate brokerage with a pioneering model that weaves a spirit of giving into every transaction. Barbie Heit
giving coast
NATIVE FLORIDIAN DAVID CRAWFORD
WAS
BORN AND RAISED IN DAYTONA BEACH.
A graduate of the University of Florida, he moved to Sarasota, his wife Stacey’s hometown, in January 2011. Crawford’s family–Stacey and six-year-old daughter, Callie–are his greatest source of joy and inspiration. Together, they love exploring the beautiful Sarasota area and participating in community events whenever possible.
As Founder and Broker/Owner of Catalist Realty, Crawford shares that he was basically born into real estate. “I remember helping my dad fix rental properties since I was barely tall enough to reach the toolbox! I then became a leasing agent at a large apartment complex in Gainesville during college that had 1020 total residents. After undergrad I was an executive director for a nonprofit organization which partnered with local governments to revitalize, activate and strengthen older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts and this is where I began my love for the concept of building community.” With a passion for both business and community service, he founded Catalist Realty in 2018 to merge these interests. Over the years, he’s focused on creating a real estate brokerage that not only excels in the market but also makes a meaningful impact on our community through philanthropy contributions. Last year, his firm was recognized for donating 15 percent of the commission of every transaction to the buyer or seller’s nonprofit of choice. “The philanthropic plan at Catalist Realty emerged from my desire to integrate giving back into the very fabric of our business,” he explains. “I believe that success in business should also translate into positive impacts in the community. Since opening in 2018, we have been the catalyst(pun intended) of just shy of $300,000 in total impact to over 30 local nonprofits, with about $205,000 of these contributions being unrestricted funds direct from property sales. This model allows our clients to choose the nonprofit they are passionate about, making every transaction personally meaningful and impactful.”
In addition to financial contributions in our region, Crawford has actively served on the Board of Directors for the Conservation Foundation for the past four years where he currently holds the position of Secretary.
“With both my wife and I being native Floridians we want to instill the same love and appreciation for our outdoor spaces, waterways and the incredible natural resources we have in our communities to our daughter and what better way to walk the walk then to support the amazing mission of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast,” he says. Crawford is also the Vice President of the Real Estate Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) and will be moving to PresidentElect in 2025. “My involvement extends to the state level as well, where I serve on the Florida Realtors’ Boards of Directors as well as being the current Vice Chair of the Emerging Technologies committee at Florida Realtors. These positions allow me to contribute to my career and the real estate industry as well as support various local philanthropic initiatives, furthering my commitment to giving back and fostering positive change,” he adds.
Crawford believes that his philanthropic spirit is driven by a deep desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
“Seeing the positive impact that our contributions can have on local nonprofits and the community as a whole is incredibly rewarding. It’s about creating a legacy of kindness and generosity that can inspire others to follow suit. We live in such a special place and if we all can take even baby steps in the right direction the ripple effect is huge.”
Crawford fondly recalls one particularly inspiring moment from his philanthropic work. “One of our clients’ donations went to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties. The Director explained to us that this donation would allow them to cover all expenses for the Club’s summer program for 12 kids including their breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. Knowing that these children could enjoy a memorable summer in a safe environment, filled with learning and fun
without any financial burden on their families was incredibly fulfilling. It is moments like these that remind me of the profound impact we can have on our community.”
A quote that resonates with Crawford is by Tim Tebow as he feels that it perfectly encapsulates his belief that true success is measured not just by personal achievements, but by the positive impact we have on the lives of others. He says it inspires him to use his talents and resources to serve our community and create lasting, meaningful change: “When we succeed, we impact our individual lives, but when we are significant, we impact others. To transcend business success into eternal significance, you have to take your gifts, find a need and meet it. Achieving significance means we go beyond gaining financial comfort and we strive to serve others.”
Crawford advises anyone looking to get involved philanthropically to start by reaching out to local foundations and nonprofits that align with their interests. “Volunteering is a great way to get started and understand the needs of the community,” he says. “Building relationships with these organizations can lead to more meaningful and impactful contributions.”
Last year, Crawford was an award recipient at SRQ’s SB2: Philanthropic Agenda and Good Hero Awards Luncheon at Michael’s on East. “Being honored as a Good Hero in our community is a profound recognition of the values and mission that Catalist Realty stands for,” he shares. “It reaffirms our commitment to using our success to make a significant and lasting positive impact on our community. This award is not just a testament to our efforts but also an inspiration to continue striving for excellence and compassion in everything we do. It is also incredibly humbling even being recognized next to so many amazing businesses we have in our region that have made significant impact for decades.” SRQ David Crawford was honored as a Good Hero by SRQ Magazine in December 2023.
ARTISTREE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE & DESIGN
Core Values
When the sun beats down and customer demands must be met, ArtisTree’s four core values remain: do the right thing, communicate, be safe and leave the world better than they found it.
thankalandscaper.com
DEEPER ROOTS. HIGHER STANDARDS.® IN 1990, ARTISTREE PUT DOWN ITS ROOTS IN VENICE, starting as a four-man mow crew and blossoming into a nationally ranked landscape company serving Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. Today ArtisTree works with homeowner associations, property owners and builders to deliver award-winning landscape maintenance and design services. While the 34-year old company has earned numerous accolades over the years, including being named among the nation’s “Top150” landscape firms by Landscape Management Magazine , ArtisTree is most proud of how it supports the local community through job creation and charitable work. Specifically:
• The $30.5 million company employs more than 400 employees and provides growth opportunities for a diverse workforce.
• It latches landscapes to life by contributing to numerous local non-profits, participating in school landscape projects, and providing complimentary landscape makeovers for deserving residents.
The company also launched a “Thank A Landscaper®” appreciation campaign for those who dedicate their lives/ businesses/programs to making the local community a more beautiful place to live. At thankalandscaper.com, visitors learn how the efforts of anyone connected to the American landscape in a positive way deserve to be celebrated.
ArtisTree attributes its achievements to an employeecentric culture that has guided the company through significant growth. When the sun beats down and customer demands must be met, their core values remain: do the right thing, communicate, be safe and leave the world better than they found it. These values are rooted in the essence of who ArtisTree is: a company of proud, hardworking individuals who give to each other and to the community around them.
ArtisTree VP of Operations Bill Walters and VP of Landscape Design Joe Mantkowski
AUTOLIFE INSURANCE GROUP
PLATINUM WINNER | BEST LOCAL INSURANCE AGENCY | 2024
AT AUTOLIFE INSURANCE GROUP, WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON BEING A CORNERSTONE OF THE SARASOTA, FLORIDA COMMUNITY. The Dakkak Family has been helping Sarasota and Manatee residents with their insurance needs for over 35 years. Our commitment extends beyond providing exceptional insurance solutions; we are deeply invested in the well-being and prosperity of our local neighbors. With a focus on personal lines, we work diligently to tailor insurance plans that meet the unique needs of Sarasota residents, whether they are seeking coverage for their homes, vehicles, or businesses. Our agency understands that Sarasota is more than just a beautiful coastal city—it’s a vibrant community with diverse needs. That’s why we take a proactive approach to engaging with local organizations,
sponsoring Lakewood Ranch Humane Society, and supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of life in our area. Our team of experienced insurance professionals is not only skilled in navigating the needs of our clients but is also passionate about building lasting relationships. We take the time to understand each client’s individual situation and provide guidance that goes beyond policy details, offering peace of mind and security in every aspect of their lives. We are proud to be a trusted advisor agency for Sarasota residents and businesses, and we remain committed to supporting our community through exceptional service and active engagement. As Sarasota continues to grow and evolve, we look forward to being a lifetime partner in protecting its future.
“Winning BOSRQ is a testament to our deep roots in the community and our commitment to protecting what matters most to our neighbors. Being a Sarasota native company, we are proud to be the trusted choice advisor and we will continue serving our hometown with the dedication it deserves.”
941-210-4499
info@autolifegroup.com
CUTTING LOOSE SALON
MENTION
CORAL PLEAS IS THE FOUNDER OF CUTTING LOOSE, a leading top 200 salon in the United States. Over her 40+ year career, Coral has gone from stylist to 7-figureentrepreneur as she’s started multiple salons, mentored hundreds of stylists, and served thousands of guests. Her achievements have been recognized in Female Entrepreneur magazine and as the cover of Salon Today and West Coast Woman magazines. In addition, she was recognized as the “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2015. As a thought leader in the beauty industry, Coral speaks internationally to thousands of stylists and salon owners through her partnerships with leading organizations such as Intercoiffure, Oribe, Paul Mitchell, and Qnity to name a few. In the world of beauty, we are driven by our commitment to caring for others and giving back, creating a positive impact on lives and reshaping how the beauty industry is received. You can always count on us to be there, supporting you passionately and patiently, holding you accountable and standing up for you. We will never betray your trust. Our business is built on ethics and customer service, providing you with a level of service that goes beyond expectations. When you do business with us, you receive not just a service but an all-encompassing experience, from our welcoming concierge to our top-notch facilities, amenities and perks. Doing business with us means receiving joy, hope, security and confidence. But our impact extends beyond just our guests; we aim to inspire others in the industry, making them want to be part of our community. We want to spread joy, security and a sense of pride throughout the beauty industry. UNIVERSITY
The Square at UTC 8429 Honore Ave. University Park, FL 34201
River
5820 Ranch Lake Blvd | #112 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
FREEMAN ORTHODONTICS
CELEBRATING OVER 20 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
Freeman Orthodontics is trusted and well known throughout the community for quality care, treatment results and community involvement. Dr. David Freeman, a Board Certified Orthodontist, has proudly been providing personalized comprehensive orthodontic care to children, teens and adults in Sarasota for over 20 years.
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Freeman Orthodontics is a family owned, established orthodontic office supported by a talented, professional, enthusiastic and committed team focused on excellence. Their highly skilled, certified orthodontic assistants are welcoming and gentle. Their devoted administrative team is friendly, professional, efficient and organized. The entire team of Freeman Orthodontics loves smile transformations and cherishes the relationships they build with patients and their families.
Dr. Freeman passionately supports schools and not for profit organizations that serve children of all ages, animals and those in need. Dr. Freeman and his wife, Tiffany, have three adorable sons and two rescue dogs. They look forward to continuing to actively support the Sarasota community for the years to come. Freeman Orthodontics is humbled and honored to be recognized again by SRQ readers as Best Orthodontist!
“Dr. Freeman and his team are honored to be recognized again by the Best of SRQ Local. They look forward to serving Sarasota for the years to come both professionally as well as actively supporting the community.”
DR. BENSON AND HIS HIGHLY TRAINED TEAM PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL PATIENT CARE USING THE MOST ADVANCED DENTAL TECHNIQUES AND TECHNOLOGIES. We take pride in providing our patients with a 5-star experience. We are known for our patient-centric approach and for having the ability to provide most dental procedures in one location. Although new to the Sarasota area, Dr. Benson has been practicing dentistry for over 18 years and is licensed in Florida, Colorado and Wyoming. His dental practice was locally recognized this year as a Top Local Dentist and was the Gold winner for Best Cosmetic Dentist in SRQ Magazine. Integrated Dental of Florida also won Best Cosmetic Dentistry in Sarasota Community’s Choice Awards and Dr. Benson has been recognized nationally as a TopDentist™ since 2020. In 2024, Dr. Kristen Presswood joined our team, increasing our capacity to see more patients and adding additional services such as facial and skin aesthetics. People often ask, “Why is your name Integrated Dental?” It is because we integrate all facets of dentistry to include traditional oral health visits and cleanings, tooth restorations, extractions and dental implants, dentures, TMD/facial pain, oral medicine, and facial aesthetics. Comprehensive dentistry
1435 S. Tamiami Trail | Suite B Sarasota, FL 34239
does not stop with just the teeth and gums; it has far-reaching implications that if left untreated can make other medical conditions worse such as diabetes, heart disease and blood pressure. Our team believes in treating the whole patient and educating them on why a specific dental approach may be better in their individual case. This allows the patient to be involved in their oral health through a collaborative partnership with their dentist for the best treatment outcome. Dr. Benson and Dr. Presswood look forward to welcoming new patients to our office and our entire team cannot wait to show you how we change the way you go to the dentist!
“Integrated Dental of Florida is a locally owned and family operated dental practice whose mission is to “Change the Way You Go to the Dentist.” Our dedicated team provides 5-star patient service with our signature brand of straightforward dental care that respects each patient’s unique oral and health needs and operates on the philosophy of “Inform Before We Perform.”
Facebook: facebook.com/IntegratedDentalFL
Instagram: instagram.com/integrateddentalfl
YouTube: youtube.com/@IntegratedDental
TikTok: tiktok.com/@integrateddentalf
Above Left:
Melvin Benson Jr.
DDS, FAGD Above Right:
Presswood
PURMORT MARTIN INSURANCE AGENCY
PURMORT BROTHERS INSURANCE AGENCY WAS FOUNDED IN 1957 IN SARASOTA. They were joined by Richard Martin in 1959 and Purmort & Martin was formed. The Agency moved the office to the current location at 2301 Ringling Blvd in 1979 and we continue to operate out of this location. Purmort & Martin Insurance is a locally owned full service Independent Property and Casualty Insurance Agency. We are privileged to have long standing relationships with some of the finest insurance carriers in the industry. Our partner carriers recognize the benefit of working with an Independent Agency and the expertise that we can provide their insurance customers. The fact that Purmort & Martin is a locally owned independent Agency, is our greatest strength. We are not beholden to shareholders, home offices in other
states or institutional investors. We answer only to our clients. We are able to always make the client’s best interest our number one priority. As this is the case, we are pleased to be one of the largest and most tenured locally owned independent insurance agencies in our region. As a locally owned agency we are also proud of our involvement in the community. Both current Agency owners, Russ Bobbitt and Larry Bowman grew up and attended school in the Sarasota-Bradenton Area. We are proud to support many community organizations including The Pines of Sarasota, the Boys and Girls Club, the Senior Friendship Center, The Asolo Theater, many youth sports programs, and others.
Thank you, Sarasota for the honor of making us the Best Insurance Agency in SRQ Magazine for the past three years. You all are the reason for our success. We look forward to continuing the relationships that we have established and serving you, our Sarasota friends and neighbors.
“We are honored to have been selected by the readers of SRQ Magazine as the Best Insurance Agency in Sarasota. We would like to thank our clients, friends and neighbors for the recognition. Sarasota is a wonderful community and we are pleased to be a part of it.”
FOR SEVEN REMARKABLE YEARS, Salt of the Earth Sarasota has been a trusted sanctuary for natural healing, serving thousands who seek relief from respiratory issues, pain, and infl ammation. Our wellness center is more than just a place; it’s a beacon of hope and rejuvenation, offering noninvasive, effective solutions that our clients have come to rely on. Our dedication to natural healing has earned us recognition in esteemed publications like SRQ Magazine, Edible Sarasota, Sarasota Magazine and Suncoast View. Proudly, we’ve been voted “Best Wellness Center” multiple years in a row, a testament to the impact we’ve made in our community.
We’re thrilled to introduce our latest innovation, ACT— a patented CBD Salt combination that’s been rigorously tested and proven to reduce respiratory issues and joint infl ammation. As one of the few wellness centers nationwide to offer this groundbreaking service, we’re setting a new standard in holistic care.
4037 Clark Rd. Sarasota 941.702.8300
info@sotesarasota.com sotesarasota.com
This year brings even more exciting developments. We’ve officially become a Registered Trademark and are preparing to expand our healing mission across the country. In addition, we’re honored to be the U.S. Representative for ISO Benessere ® , a global leader in wellness, spa, and beauty equipment. ISO Benessere ® is renowned for its cutting-edge solutions, with over 40,000 satisfied customers world-wide. We’re now bringing their innovative products to hotels, spas, resorts, architects, wellness centers, and beauty centers across the United States. For more information, visit usa@ISOBenessere.com.
“Our commitment to natural health and wellness is unwavering. At Salt of the Earth Sarasota, we believe in the transformative power of natural healing and are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health and well-being. Join us in the
Facebook.com/SaltoftheEarthSarasota
Instagram: saltoftheearth_sarasota
LinkedIn: Salt of the Earth Sarasota
Youtube: Salt of the Earth Sarasota
Left to right, Mike Zildjian, and Owner, Dianna Manoogian
SEASHORE MARBLE & GRANITE
PLATINUM WINNER | BEST GRANITE/COUNTERTOPS | 2024
“Our journey has been far from easy, but our unwavering commitment to our mission and standards has guided us every step of the way. Receiving the Platinum award at the BOSRQ awards reflects the hard work and perseverance that have driven our success. We are incredibly proud of our progress and excited to keep serving the wonderful community of Sarasota for years to come!”
SEASHORE MARBLE & GRANITE, A PROUD FAMILYOWNED BUSINESS, has become a cornerstone of the Sarasota community through its exceptional craftsmanship and unwavering commitment to quality. With over two decades of experience, this esteemed company is renowned for its countertop installations. Their dedication to excellence was recently recognized with the prestigious BOSRQ awards, winning Gold in 2023 and Platinum in 2024, highlighting their leadership in the industry.
The company’s deep connection to Sarasota is reflected in their focus on delivering superior service. Seashore Marble & Granite’s skilled team collaborate closely with clients to create custom stone features that enhance the beauty and functionality of homes and businesses. These recent awards underscore the high standards of craftsmanship and innovation that Seashore Marble & Granite consistently upholds.
As a family-owned business, Seashore Marble & Granite brings a personal touch to every project, treating each client with the care and attention they would expect for their own family. Their commitment to excellence and strong relationships with clients remains central to their mission. Looking ahead, Seashore Marble & Granite is excited to continue transforming spaces and serving the Sarasota community with the same dedication and passion that has defined their legacy.
SIRIUS DAY SPA, SALON &
“An incredible honor to be recognized as Best of SRQ again in so many categories! We truly believe in our incredibly talented team of 40+ employees, and we are proud to give back to our community by being members of nonprofit organizations including Sisterhood for Good”
—Karen Medford
SIRIUS DAY SPA, SALON & MED SPAS are privately owned and proudly ranked #1 in Sarasota & Manatee Counties including Reader’s Choice Best Spa 2020-2024. Best of SRQ 2021-2024, and Best of Sarasota Magazine 2024. Founded in 2018, Sirius has 2 locations, one at the Shoppes at UTC (Sarasota) and the other in Lakewood Ranch. Always innovating with the latest technologies, Sirius offers over 200+ services, including a full med spa, Botox, Fillers, B12, Laser, Morpheus 8, Chemical Peels, Diamond Glow Facials and more. Facial Specialists and Skincare offer customized facial treatments, and each location has a full-service salon with Master Stylists. Colorists, and Nail Specialists. The massage therapists are top in their field, and there are 11 treatment rooms in each location. Each luxury service includes the use of the serenity lounge, equipped with meditation-videos, 360-degree massage chairs and a refreshment bar. There are also 3 Wellness
Programs that are offered for additional savings on services (up to 45%) for both single and family options.
Sirius has also been recognized by the community as finalists for Small Business of the Year for both the Sarasota and Manatee Counties, and owner, Karen Medford has been recognized by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance as Networking Queen, Women of Infl uence, Women on the Scene, and the KNOW Sarasota. Also recognized by the School District of Manatee County, Sirius was awarded in the Business & Education Partnership Awards. Additionally, the impact on the community has been ongoing with hosting fundraisers for Big Cat Habitat, Circus Arts Conservatory, and Sisterhood for Good, as well as sponsoring many other nonprofi t organizations including Sunshine Kids, American Cancer Society and more. Visit us for the best in all Beauty and wellness needs!
THE BAZAAR ON APRICOT
& LIME
DISCOVER THE ENCHANTING WORLD OF THE BAZAAR ON APRICOT & LIME, a vibrant marketplace nestled in the heart of the Limelight District in Sarasota. With its diverse array of 40 local creators and curators, this hidden gem is a treasure trove of artistic expression, unique fashion finds and home decor, and delightful treasures that will captivate your senses. Step into The Bazaar and immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and creativity. Art enthusiasts will be enthralled by the stunning collection of original art all at affordable prices. Whether you are a seasoned collector or simply appreciate the beauty of art, you are bound to discover a masterpiece that speaks directly to your soul. Fashion mavens will rejoice at the plethora of clothing options that await them at The Bazaar. From bohemian chic to urban streetwear, there is something to suit every style and personality. The Bazaar is a haven of succulents and other botanical wonders. Bring a touch of nature into your home or office with these low-maintenance, yet visually striking plants. Let the lush greenery breathe life into your space and create a serene oasis that nurtures your well-being. Handmade treasures abound at The Bazaar, where artisans showcase their exceptional craftsmanship. Discover exquisite jewelry pieces that exude elegance and individuality, or find the perfect handcrafted gift for a loved
one. Each item tells a story, reflecting the care and passion poured into its creation. No visit to The Bazaar would be complete without indulging in the culinary delights of the award-winning Hamlets Eatery. The culinary world of vegan and non-vegan cuisine collide. Their tagline, “To Meat or Not to Meat,” reflects their commitment to providing delicious options for every palate. At The Bazaar, there truly is something for everyone. Whether you are seeking artistic inspiration, fashion-forward finds, or simply a delightful experience, this captivating marketplace promises to be a feast for the senses. Come and explore the magic that awaits within its walls, and let The Bazaar become your go-to destination for all things creative, stylish, and delicious.
“There is a reason we have been named Best Gift Shop 5 years in a row,” says co-owner Kim Livengood. “Not only do we have unique items but you get to meet the people who make them or pick them out. Having the artists and curators here, truly sets us apart and makes the experience that much more fun!”
TOASTIQUE
GOLD WINNER | BEST LOCAL ACAI BOWL-JUICES-AVOCADO TOAST | 2024
10 S Lemon Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34236
94.312.4099
toastique.com/sarasota
TikTok: @toastique.srq
TOASTIQUE SARASOTA IS MORE THAN JUST A DESTINATION FOR FRESH AND DELICIOUS FARE; it’s a proud member of the Sarasota community, dedicated to bringing health, fl avor, and vitality to every corner of the vibrant city. Since opening our doors, we’ve been committed to crafting an exceptional dining experience that refl ects our passion for quality ingredients and innovative food. Toastique is honored to have been voted gold in BOSRQ for Best Local Acai Bowl, Best Local Juices and Smoothies, and Best Local Avocado Toast. These accolades are a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and the trust our customers place in us. Our journey in Sarasota has been marked by exciting milestones, including a recent one-year anniversary celebration in July of 2024, which was a week-long event filled with giveaways and specials. This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of our local patrons, who have embraced our mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through fresh, innovative food. But Toastique Sarasota is more than our menu. We’re deeply embedded in the Sarasota community, supporting local events, and collaborating with nearby businesses. Whether we’re sponsoring community wellness events, or simply providing a welcoming space for friends and families to gather, our mission is to be a positive and nourishing presence in Sarasota. We look forward to serving you the best in local, fresh, and fl avorful offerings for many years to come.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Sarasota community for their support over the last year as we just celebrated our 1-year anniversary in July. Being a part of BOSRQ made this milestone extra special. Our mission has always been to provide healthy, delicious options that our customers can feel good about, and it’s been amazing to see how well-received our off erings have been. We look forward to continuing to serve and grow within the Sarasota community.”
—Laura Anderson, Toastique Sarasota Co-Owner
SHEROARS
DESIGNING SPACES WITH UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES
ELYSE DELUCCI
BEING UNABASHEDLY YOURSELF IS THE ULTIMATE SUPERPOWER
MEET THE SRONG WOMEN OF OUR REGION
Trailblazer Award Recipient
GUTSY ROAR
From magazine editor to suspense author, Kate White has forged a path of go big or go home. interviewed and written by ashley grant
KATE WHITE STOOD IN A NYC SHOWROOM FACING
RACKS OF CLOTHING. She had just won a spot as one of Glamour Magazine’s honorees in the prestigious Top Ten College Women Competition of 1972 celebrating undergrad leaders who were embarking upon ambitious careers. Her unconventional winning essay about why she had no goals was a rule breaker. She had goals of course, but opined in her submission, ‘Why lock yourself in? Be open to the future!’ Now there would be a fashion shoot and one out of the ten women would be chosen for the cover. As the other honorees all selected muted outfits in pale shades of heather and gray, Kate instead grabbed a shockingly bright yellow, green and orange number from the end of the racks. “I need to stand out,” she thought. A small choice in one of many go big or go home moments to follow—she got the cover and embarked on a brilliant career filled with gutsy moves and envelope-pushing creativity.
The recipient of the SRQ Trailblazer Award, which recognizes a women who is fearless in pursuing her dreams and helping others to do the same, White has made a name for herself as a fearless firestarter blazing trails as the former Editor in Chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine and currently as a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author and speaker. Winner of the Matrix Award for Outstanding Achievement in Communication as well as the
Woodhall Institute Award for Ethical Leadership, she has been nominated for an International Thriller Writers Award in the fiction category, and her books have been published in over 30 countries worldwide. And it all started with a love of the written word and the fearlessness to stand out from the crowd.
As a child growing up in Glens Falls, New York, White dreamed of being a mystery writer, inspired by Nancy Drew’s The Secret of Redgate Farm. Though encouraged by her mother who bought her a typewriter, the road to her dream was not clear but there were breadcrumbs of serendipity along the path lighting the way. While babysitting, she learned that the childrens’ cousin worked for a magazine and the fire was lit. “I just remember thinking, ‘How does she work there?’ I couldn’t imagine how you would get there,” she says. Pre-internet, the publishing world was one of proximity and connections. “I knew about The Bell Jar and Sylvia Plath and how she was a Mademoiselle winner and lived at the Barbizon Hotel. I would hear these vague stories, but I didn’t know anyone in New York City,” she said.
In high school she wrote for the local paper and explored her options. In a bit of foreshadowing, Kate’s mother seemed to predict her daughter’s future, “I could see you being Helen Gurly Brown one day,” she said, giving her daughter a copy of Sex and the Single Girl, a groundbreaking book by Brown who, like White,
“One thing that Cosmo really reinforced for me is the go big or go home stuff. Cosmo was so over the top. And I hadn’t worked in a magazine like that before and I used to keep a note in my drawer that said ‘What have you done to break the law today?’ I would get in trouble sometimes from my boss, but then the issue would sell two and a half million copies and all was forgiven. Cosmo just reinforced that you’ve got to go big. You have to ask yourself every time: Could it be bigger? Could it be bolder or could it be more badass?”
— Kate White
Above: Ric Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova attend the 20th Anniversary Celebration Of The Children’s Defense at Guastavino’s on December 6, 2010 in New York.
“Once I got to New York, there were a few years where any chutzpah I had was sucked out of me because the city was so big and i was suddenly in a whole different fish bowl.”
— Kate White
also went on to become the Editor in Chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine—infusing the publication with bold directives for single career women of her day. White went on to study English at Union College and when the institution submitted her for the Glamour competition she knew that there was no guarantee she would win so as a backup, she wrote to an editor at Newsweek who told her that she was welcome to apply but women were never promoted above a certain level and were not allowed to be senior editors.
So Glamour was her shot. Becoming an honoree and cover girl may have gained her access to the publishing world but it was a shaky start. She says, “Once I got to New York, there were a few years where any chutzpah I had was sucked out of me because the city was so big and I was suddenly in a whole different fish bowl.” Instead of landing the writing gig she dearly wanted, White took a job in the promotions department at Glamour. It was not the best fit. She decided to start writing articles on the side for the magazine for free, noting that to get where you want to go, “You just sort of have to do more than you’re told to do.” Finally Glamour gave her an editorial assignment. The magazine sent her to participate as a guest clown with the Ringling Brothers Circus at Madison Square Garden and asked her to write about her experience. The article was a hit and White was promoted to be a top staff writer. Buoyed by this success, she decided to write an essay about being single in the city and submitted it to the Editor in Chief. “They’d never done a first person essay before, it was always these how-to pieces like, ‘The New Dating Rules’ and ‘Everything You Should Know About Birth Control’. My career at Glamour took off from there. They had me write more essays and gave me a column. That gave me back my chutzpah.,” she says. From promotions to feature writer and columnist at Glamour, her career trajectory led her to work on and helm numerous national publications including Mademoiselle, Child, Working Woman, McCall’s and Redbook magazines before landing the top job at Cosmopolitan. “I guess the main thing is I wanted to be successful and I didn’t
really know what that meant. I was always compelled to create, eventually within the context of the magazine world. Then I thought, I want to write articles that get me noticed, that help me get the next job. I did the math. If I wanted to be editor in chief, I realized that every woman I knew who was an editor in chief of a major women’s magazine had gotten there by the time they were 39 to 41. I was 33 at the time. So I took a little class in public speaking and started to do things with the idea of ‘I’ve got a window here’,” she says.” She took the window and rose on the fast track, editing and producing the top magazines in the US.
While she was at RedBook a former employee wrote an article about how White was a gutsy girl compared to a good girl. “I never really thought of myself as a gutsy girl but I just loved the idea of that,” she says. So she wrote a book based on that concept called Why Good Girls Don’t Get Ahead...But Gutsy Girls Do: Nine Secrets Every Career Woman Must Know. She says, “The book did extraordinarily well and I loved being able to write again.” Her success reawakened the passion for mystery and suspense writing she had as a child. Around the same time a meeting with an unusual visitor added fuel to that fire. White recalls, “One day a woman came in to see me who wanted to pitch a horoscope column. We didn’t really do that at RedBook, but I thought it would be fun to see her. She took my palm to read it and said ‘I see two sides of you. I see you sitting in this pretty office with all these people around you but I also see a part of you that’s all by yourself in this little office doing something creative.’” The reading was illuminating and White realized, “If I didn’t write that suspense novel before too long, I was going to die without ever having done it.” She pounded out four chapters of a thriller. Then fate intervened and seemed to stall her plans. One Sunday, White got a call from her boss, “I thought, ‘I’m not the editor of RedBook anymore’,” she said. But instead of losing her job, she got a better one. White recalls, “They wanted me to take over Cosmo. Of course I said yes because it was the big money maker in the company and came with all these perks. I
loved the packaging for Cosmo and finding the celebrities that were going to be perfect Cosmo cover girls but I knew I’d never be able to write a thriller now.”
It was an all-consuming job and White, married to former news anchorman Brad Holbrook with whom she has two children, knew that Cosmopolitan demanded total commitment from its staff. Nevertheless, she was determined to find balance. She says, “The person who was running Cosmopolitan when I got the job worked until 8:15pm. There was a note on her office wall that her kids left for her saying, ‘Mommy. Please come home.’ She thought that was cute. I was used to leaving at five every day and then working after the kids went to bed and I thought my gosh, I’m just not going to feel comfortable working those hours. And you don’t have to do that with magazines. It’s not like a law firm. So I just decided I’m gonna try it my way. I started leaving at 5:30 instead of five and I worked every night probably for two hours after the kids went to bed. That’s a long day when you’re finally hanging it up at 11pm but I could still take my kids to school. I was still there for dinner.”
She says, “One thing that Cosmo really reinforced for me is the go big or go home stuff. Cosmo was so over the top. And I hadn’t worked in a magazine like that before and I used to keep a note in my drawer that said ‘What have you done to break the law today?’ I would get in trouble sometimes from my boss, but then the issue would sell two and a half million copies and all was forgiven. Cosmo just reinforced that you’ve got to go big. You have to ask yourself every time: Could it be bigger? Could it be bolder or could it be more badass?”
White’s accomplishments during her time at Cosmo were extensive. Over her 14 year run, she increased Cosmopolitan’s monthly circulation to over three million readers and presided over the most successful magazine in single copy sales in the US. She also oversaw Cosmo Books, Cosmopolitan.com, digital projects and the Cosmo fashion line introduced at JCPenney. White also found success as a career advice writer. In addition to her first gutsy career book, she published more non-fiction books with career advice for
women including 9 Secrets of Women Who Get Everything They Want, and I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This: How to Ask for the Money, Snag the Promotion, and Create the Career You Deserve.
Along with the books, White developed a thriving speaking gig. While running the magazine and writing career and suspense books she also managed to make a name for herself as an in-demand speaker at corporations, women’s groups and literary societies. She was a frequent guest expert on television sharing her wisdom for audiences of The Today Show, CBS This Morning, Morning Joe and Good Morning America
About five months into her new job White decided to tackle the four chapters of the thriller she set aside and try and finish it. She wrote eight suspense novels while at Cosmo and notes, “I was definitely burning the candle at both ends, but I did it before my kids got up on weekends and I did it before my staff got in. I wrote an hour a day at Cosmo and the pages added up. Not only did the suspense writing satisfy White’s calling but it also provided her with a fallback. She says, “I figured it would give me a plan B if I got fired which, fortunately, I never did. So the writing was both making sure I still did this thing I love but also a bit of a cushion for me in case I fell on my ass.”
Her fallback plan proved to be prescient. In the highly competitive magazine publishing world during its heyday, editors and publishers were used to competing for the number one position on newsstands and the fight for readership was fierce. But there was a new threat to the industry on the horizon and White recognized it immediately— the internet. On the day White got the Cosmopolitan job she had the foresight to hire a trend spotter specializing in the Gen X and Gen Y demographics who suggested shorter cover lines right off the bat and changes overall to established norms. White notes, “A lot of magazines did not adapt to the attention span of young readers. So many editors were at the mercy of their temperamental art directors and there wasn’t enough attention paid to the fact that magazines needed to be designed differently.” White held focus groups every month and read every email she got from readers. But the signs of change kept rolling in and she recognized the industry was in trouble. “One of the things I learned in my job as the Editor in Chief of McCall’s and RedBook is that there would be a really precipitous drop in circulation and then it would all level out and plateau for a while. That was a warning. When those big industry dips happen you better put
on your wading boots. After those big dips and plateaus everybody would think okay, it stabilized, but I knew that it hadn’t,” she says. It was time for a new chapter and a return to her first love but the transition was bittersweet. White notes, “I loved my job, I loved my boss, I loved my company, but I just knew. I had a fabulous career and loved every minute of it but I saw the magazine business just going downhill.” She committed to writing suspense fiction and has produced 18 novels of suspense: eight Bailey Weggins mysteries and ten standalone psychological thrillers, her most recent called The Last Time She Saw Him Her writing is described by adoring fans as “layered” and “full of red herrings and plot twists you didn’t see coming.” She has a gift for creating depth in her characters and intricate details in environments that jump off the page and beckon you in. White’s first mystery, If Looks Could Kill, was a Kelly Ripa Book Club pick, a #1 bestseller on Amazon and an instant New York Times bestseller. As happy as White was with her new career, switching from the bustling atmosphere of a magazine to solo novel writer took some adjusting. “It is very solitary compared to magazines. At Cosmo I had my private office but we did our meetings out in the bullpen. It was exhilarating. I did a salon every six weeks where we would have interesting speakers. Dave Simone did three salons with us and he brought a 13-week-old tiger to one and a mountain lion to another. Celebrities like Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams Ludicrous or Rumor Willis would just stop by. It was like being in a television show. It was so much fun. Suddenly, I’m in this private office and dealing with a different type of content.” Without the regular magazine deadlines, motivation was also a challenge. “When I tried to write fiction before I’d been a big procrastinator. That was one of the good things about magazines. Done was better than perfect. You just had to get it out the door and you didn’t have more time to write that cover line.“ Her new vocation required new systems which she uses to this day. She notes, “I use a time management trick where you slice the project into the thinnest slice that you can handle. With the first book I wrote for only 15 minutes a day for the first six months. There’s another technique called the Pomodoro Technique where you use a timer and do 25 minutes of work then a five minute break. You must work for these 25 minutes.”
In addition to time management practices, White has rituals she uses to spur creativity and help the writing process. “I’ve got a home
office and I like to use a scented candle just to make it a little bit more appealing to force me in there. I like it quiet. Too much music or the wrong kind is just too intrusive. My zone is in the morning. So I try to be at my desk at 8:30am and go to lunch time and then I can usually edit for an hour or so in the afternoon. Where my ideas come from can be a conversation or from a news article and then I do a wonderful technique that writers use where you just start playing with the possibilities. Also, I have to remind myself, just like I did at Cosmo: Did I do anything in my books today that broke the law or is going to scare somebody to death?”
White says that writing is a lot like life and can provide a roadmap for those embarking upon a path of change and reinvention. She recommends using a suspense writing technique that ignites the plot, and creates a thriller’s page-turning momentum called the “inciting incident,” a moment when the protagonist realizes there’s something that needs to be done and she’s going to do it. In the Hunger Games it’s when Katniss sees that her sister has been tapped to be in the game and knows she will never survive so volunteers to take her place. White notes, “When you are ready for the next chapter in life, whether it aligns closely with what you’ve been doing, I guess mine did a little bit but there’s a big difference between running a fashion magazine and writing about blood spatter and corpses, what you have to do is create your own inciting incident and embrace it. A protagonist’s stakes are that she’s probably got a serial killer on her ass. That’s a motivator. It’s worth thinking about your own stakes. For me, it was if I don’t write this suspense novel now I’m gonna die without having done it. Sometimes in the inciting incident the motivator is feelings. Is it regret? Envy is a great motivator. We think it’s so horrible, but let it shine a light on what you want. What you’re trying to do in your own life is embrace activational energy. Motion begets motion. Start small. Raise your hand. Create the job. Start with just making that one call or going to hear that one talk or like me writing 15 minutes a day. You will find that you start to create that energy that allows you to go after the next chapter.” SHE ROARS
KATE WHITE WILL BE RECOGNIZED AT THE SRQ TOGETHER WE ROAR LEADERSHIP AND AWARDS LUNCHEON ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25. 2024. TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS AND TABLE: SRQMAG.COM/WEROAR
“ I had to tone everything down. I played a role. I wore pearls, and I like pearls, but not the pearls that I had to wear for work. But I did it. I did whatever I had to do. I did it because that’s what they told me to do. To my core, my deep core, it never crushed my spirit. You’ve got to do what you got to do until you don’t—and then you can do your own thing.” — Elyse DeLucci
Illuminator Award Recipient
AUTHENTIC AT THE MIC
Elyse DeLucci proves that being unabashedly yourself is the ultimate superpower. interviewed and written by ashley grant
ELYSE DELUCCI IS PROOF THAT BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS AND ONE LITTLE STEP IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR DREAMS CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Eight years ago, as an overworked executive dealing with outrageous corporate deadlines, two small children and a failing marriage, Delucci was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. In her desperation she took a leap of faith, headed to a comedy club, stood up at an open mic night and transformed her life through laughter. From burnout to breakdown to breakthrough she reinvented herself as a standup comedian, podcaster and social media star who inspires others to live life to the fullest with gusto.
Mix a dash of Mrs. Maisel with liberal shots of Fran Drescher in The Nanny, add in the speed-talking magic of Loralei Gilmore and finish off with the sparkle of Lucille Ball as Auntie Mame and you have the recipe for DeLucci’s special sauce. Delving into topics ranging from her Italian-American heritage, corporate experiences, marriage, divorce, food, co-parenting, motherhood and how to navigate the wonderfully messy thing called life, her New York Tawk podcast has garnered 5 star reviews and is filled with hilarious stream-of-consciousness observations with a warm confidential tone that feels like you are having a chat with your BFF. She has amassed a tribe of over 330,000 die-hard followers who regularly come up to her on the street to share what a difference she has made in their lives, and has clocked over 60 million views on TikTok and Instagram combined. She has been featured in the New York Times, The New York Post, Business Insider, Wall Street Journal’s Marketwatch and more. Equal parts best friend, confidant, honorary Italian mother and keeper of the secrets to the best life tips on the planet—she is an absolute treasure. The recipient of the SRQ Illuminator Award, presented to a woman who lights the way for others to follow their dreams, DeLucci’s joie de vivre is so infectious, one might be tempted to think she has led a charmed life. And while in some ways she has had the benefit of serendipity, it has been at the expense of painful experiences of bullying and feeling like a fish out of water. Her story is one of overcoming judgment and misperceptions, showing people how to rise above everyday challenges with grace and humor and most of all—embrace being themselves.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Staten Island in a middle class Italian-American family, she spent her days playing with other kids out on the block but it was not a fairytale experience. “I was bullied. Even though I had the same accent as those kids, I had a funny sounding voice. We would play cops and robbers and the kids would make me the robber and throw rocks at me. I was always so in my own head, I wouldn’t ever really get that that was bullying. I’ll never forget my mother would stand on the terrace and scream over our gray Monte Carlo, ‘What’s the matter with you? Don’t you know they’re not being nice to you?’ But I was just happy to be included,” she
says. High school wasn’t much better. DeLucci recalls “My senior prom, I didn’t have a date. I wasn’t popular and there was a guy, he was the captain of the football team, very popular. He had a girlfriend for a long time and they broke up and as a joke he asked me to go to prom on one condition—that I brought a friend to the after party so he could meet her. That’d be so insulting to most people, but I didn’t care. I was like, ‘All right, sure.’ And then I filled a limousine with all of my other friends that didn’t have dates, and we all just partied together.”
DeLucci notes that the bullying helped her to realize the power of authenticity and develop a thick skin which came in handy later in life. She says, “I think when you’ve had a lot of shitty things happen in your life, you just learn to make the best of them. Then you get out into the world, and realize it’s a much bigger place. People will talk and make their assumptions, and who cares? You run into trouble when you care about what other people think. I’ve always just been like, ‘I’ll make the lemonade out of the lemons,’ and I think that worked for me.”
Being “different” turned out to be her secret weapon and was the key to her resilience and willingness to see the positive side of challenge. In college she decided “I’m going to have seven internships. I’m in Staten Island, Manhattan’s right here. And I worked, worked, worked. At the time, interns didn’t get paid. I can’t believe, by the way, what I hear they make now. They get $30 an hour, these interns, I’m just like, I watered plants for nothing.”
After she graduated, DeLucci got a job selling advertising in the “boiler room” of a publishing company and found her niche in bringing print magazines online for top publishing houses. Eventually arriving at NASDAQ, one of the world’s largest financial exchanges, she rose through the ranks to become head of digital revenue and strategy. Early in her Wall Street career she was told that if she wanted to get promoted she would need postgraduate study to have a larger institution “validate” her. She completed a Harvard Business School program in Digital Strategy while pregnant with her first child and another at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business in Managerial Economics and Leadership while pregnant with her second child.
DeLucci was highly successful, credentialed, at the top of her game and yet, the “different” thing reared its ugly head again. Despite all her hard work and achievements she was once again criticized for just being herself. It became glaringly obvious when her company tasked her with interviewing tech CEOs on camera. She says, “I sounded very…I just sounded however I sounded.” And that sound is not what her company wanted so they sent her to a vocal coach, a Shakespearean actor, who told her, “With that voice, the only thing you’re going to do is be in a commercial for Ragu.” She says, “When I was on Wall Street, I had to be undercover Italian. They liked my resume, they liked my personality but they had me dress a certain way. They gave me voice lessons, like elocution lessons. I had to tone everything down. I played a role. I wore pearls, and I like pearls, but not the pearls that I had to wear for work. But I did it. I did whatever I had to do. I did it because that’s what they told me to do. To my core, my deep core, it never crushed my spirit. You’ve got to do what you got to do until you don’t—and then you can do your own thing.”
The pace of managing her fast tracked career and maintaining her “cover” alongside raising a family was grueling. “I had a very full life and two babies seventeen months apart and a husband, and an apartment that we renovated and this beautiful job. I was working some days, nine hours, some days, fourteen hours. I was traveling all over the world, and I was really starting to break. I mean, really break down. I was the primary earner of my household, my husband had a job and we had a very 50-50 thing. He wasn’t one of these guys that were like, ‘Yeah, make me coffee.’ He was very there, but it was just too much on me. And our marriage started to dissolve. I called my Aunt and said, ‘I’m working all these hours, my marriage is falling apart.’ And I’ll never forget her saying, ‘Don’t let work become who you are. Don’t become all work consuming.’”
In an effort to help relieve some of the pressure DeLucci looked for an outlet doing something she had loved as a child. She says, “Before I got into performing, I would love to watch all the old musicals. I would go to the theater. I would always go to shows.” So she decided to sign up for classes at The People’s Improv Theater (The PIT) in New York City. Her instructor encouraged her to try standup comedy but she felt she had nothing to talk about. And then one night, she did. She says, “I
ELYSE DELUCCI WILL BE RECOGNIZED AT THE SRQ TOGETHER WE ROAR LEADERSHIP AND AWARDS LUNCHEON ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25. 2024 TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS AND TABLE | SRQMAG.COM/WEROAR
had a fight with my husband. It was 11 o’clock at night, and The PIT had an open mic night. And I just showed up there. It was just a weird thing. I did five minutes just about the stress of my work and the pressure. I didn’t have a set. I didn’t have anything prepared.”
The rush of performing gave her a platform—a place to share and be unabashedly herself. And the freedom she felt led her to make other changes in her life. She says, “I started working in the clubs, and became a stand-up comedian. Left my job and got divorced. I just totally reinvented myself.”
Delucci was finally doing what she loved and following her dreams but just as she was settling into her new adventure, immediately she was faced with an unexpected situation that would test her resolve. She says, “When the world shut down with the pandemic, I was like, ‘Well, this is great. I’m homeschooling my two kids, I’m in a tiny apartment in Manhattan, two bedrooms, one bath, three girls. What a horror.’ And I was losing my mind. I left this corporate job to do stand-up comedy, and now there’s nowhere to do it, so I guess I’ll just go online.” She asked her younger sister to teach her “how to TikTok” and built a social media following. She traded Wall Street for authenticity and her fans are grateful she did. DeLucci notes that her pre-comedy background was not wasted and still informs her life in a myriad of ways. “The benefit of having the corporate background is I’m so disciplined. Every day I wake up at 6:40am and write every single day for an hour to two. If something comes out, great. If it doesn’t come out, fine. I do it every day as if I have a boss and I have to turn it into him.” Still, she recognizes how much better her life is now and is grateful for the freedom of expression and purpose. She says, “If I didn’t leave that world, would it be the worst thing? No. I mean, I had a wonderful job, my salary was fabulous, the benefits were amazing and you get your time off. But I didn’t want to spend 40, 50, 60 hours a week pretending. I didn’t want to spend all this time just trying to put money in a 401(k) and having to have all these fake conversations. This is way better. I mean, you meet some brilliant people in the corporate world, but I meet equally brilliant comedians. They have a different kind of brain, they think differently, and they’re brilliant.”
Delucci has gone from toning it down to gleefully living out loud and she’s having a ball. She has a talent for transforming everyday
humdrum into an adventure and her fans revel in her unbridled delight in life and ability to squeeze lusciousness out of the mundane. From where to buy the perfect caftan, to the virtues of painting your living room pink, to why you should carry aluminum foil in your purse, to the proper technique for sauntering around your living room, the restorative properties of cheese or the hilarious New York Tawk Word of the Day— she is the poster girl for following your dreams and living authentically. (Note, Don’t let the Schmegges get you down). For those looking to break free and change their lives like she did, DeLucci first advises going easy on yourself in times of transition. “When I first got divorced, I spent six months crawling around my floor in a kimono. I was crawling, I was crying, I was overeating. I didn’t know if I was doing the right thing, the wrong thing, but I had to give myself some grace. You’ve got to give yourself that grace,” she says. Once the dust has settled it is time to tackle practical matters. “Get yourself straight, get your money in order, your finances, and then focus on all your own stuff,” she advises. Then comes the exploration process. Examine your options and see what’s out there with a sense of curiosity. DeLucci says “The ROI of being curious is a life well-lived.” And finally the most important step of all, go for your dreams. “You just have to just take the leap. No risk, no reward. It’s a corny little saying, but why wouldn’t you do it?”
Elyse has become coach, cheerleader and gloom-chaser extraordinaire. Life may be rough but it can be funny as well so why not focus on the absurdity of the bad and celebrate the good things. She celebrates being human and acknowledges that while being human can be sad, sometimes it’s also really funny.
“At the end of the day, all the mishegoss, prices of things, all the shit in the politics, and friends, and all the stupid nonsense. At the end of the day, it’s really just about being normal, your family and keeping it together. Everybody goes through stuff. Somebody told me years ago, ‘If everybody put their problems in the center of the kitchen table, you would take yours back.’ Everybody goes through the same thing. We’re all human. So I feel like I take the things that are frustrating, or upsetting, or have been darker in my life, and I try to find the humor in them. And that’s what comedy is. I mean, that’s the essence of comedy and that’s what us comedians do.” SHE ROARS
Fortitude
INSPIRING WOMEN LEADERS
COURTNEY
LUCY
Fortitude
THE LIBERTY SAVINGS BANK “WOMEN
"Our interest is in you.”
SARASOTA 2323 Stickney Point Road Sarasota, FL 34231
941.927.8293
8383 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34238
941.927.3629
BRADENTON
3901 Cortez Road W. Bradenton, FL 34210
941.755.5733
VENICE
4103 S. Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34293
941.493.9174
WHO ROAR”
AT LIBERTY, OUR PASSION FOR BETTER BANKING DRIVES EVERYTHING WE DO. From mortgages to highinterest checking and savings accounts, our retail team is dedicated to making sure we provide the best services and products possible for our customers. We also believe in the power of community. Our dedicated team works and volunteers in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, striving to make it a better place to live. Together, we invest our time and efforts to create positive change and contribute to the well-being of the people in Bradenton, Sarasota and Venice.
Below, from left to right: Sandy Perrine, Susan Ross, Lisa Toppin, Lauren Fuller, Nevenka Kovcic, Danielle Bachar and Crystal Creagh
REGION SALES MANAGER VP - MORTGAGE LOAN ADVISER NMLS# 1532056
WHAT IS YOUR SINGLE, MOST SIGNIFICANT STRENGTH AND HOW HAVE YOU UTILIZED IT TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT WITHIN AN ORGANIZATIONAL OR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ROLE? “My single, most significant strength is the combination of kindness and confidence. I know I can significantly help people grow their nest eggs, businesses be more profitable, and non-profits fulfill their important missions. When I see them smile, it makes me happy too.”
CRYSTAL CREAGH FINANCIAL CENTER MANAGER
WHAT IS YOUR “SECRET SAUCE?”“My secret sauce is to identify mentors and learn as much as I can from them. After that I outline our goals and work hard as a team to achieve them… all while having a bit of fun along the way!”
LAUREN FULLER
AVP, FINANCIAL CENTER MANAGER II - MORTGAGE LOAN ADVISER NMLS# 1161296
WHAT IS YOUR STORY OF SUCCESS? “I started as a teller at Liberty Savings Bank and always liked helping customers. I was promoted several times, eventually becoming Financial Center Manager due to my enthusiasm, teamwork and community leadership with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, the Foodbank and The Big Bank Theory at Manatee County Schools.”
NEVENKA KOVCIC
FINANCIAL CENTER MANAGER | MORTGAGE LOAN ADVISER NMLS#676922
DESCRIBE YOUR OWN OUTLOOK ON LIFE IN SIX WORDS. “Only I can hold myself back.”
SANDY PERRINE
AVP, FINANCIAL CENTER MANAGER II - MORTGAGE LOAN ADVISER NMLS# 1532057
WHAT HAS BEEN THE SINGLE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN WORKING AND LIVING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED AS A RESULT? “The pandemic was scary for a lot of our older customers. Many did not want to leave their homes. At Liberty, we innovated by using our drive-thru for more things… like opening accounts or just to say hello. You see, many of our customers became friends and it was good to see them. I guess we learned to face challenges head on and figure out ways to make things work.”
SUSAN ROSS
REGION SERVICE MANAGER AVP | MORTGAGE LOAN ADVISER NMLS# 776069
HOW HAS AN EXPERIENCE IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE MOTIVATED YOU? “My sister is currently learning to walk again after being in ICU for over a week. Her struggle reminds me that challenges in my personal and work life are minor in comparison! Dealing with personal and customer challenges can be hard work but can change lives when you succeed!”
LISA TOPPIN
AVP, FINANCIAL CENTER MANAGER II - MORTGAGE LOAN ADVISER NMLS# 1532058
EVERY DAY I AM THANKFUL FOR . . . my daughter, my customers, my team, my boss, Venice, fishing, my mom and no hurricanes!”
PATTY O'LEARY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO | CHILDREN'S CANCER CENTER
"I have learned that when a community comes together in crisis, love can move mountains."
WHAT HAS BEEN THE SINGLE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN WORKING AND LIVING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, AND HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED AS A RESULT? The pandemic created a barrier in treating the children and families we serve. To meet their needs, I needed to be adaptable to technology, and in turn, we rolled out two virtual programs that continue to this day. WHAT IS YOUR SINGLE, MOST SIGNIFICANT STRENGTH, AND HOW HAVE YOU UTILIZED IT TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT WITHIN AN ORGANIZATIONAL OR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ROLE? My most significant strength is my ability to inspire and motivate others. This allows me to foster collaboration, dedication, and resilience, leading my team to achieve remarkable results. WHAT IS YOUR "SECRET SAUCE”? A touch of sweetness with compassion. A dash of spice and heat with creativity. A generous portion of strong leadership skills. DESCRIBE YOUR OWN OUTLOOK ON LIFE IN SIX WORDS. Believe in yourself and your greatness. EVERY DAY I AM THANKFUL FOR our community’s generosity enables us to serve the immediate needs of local children and families battling pediatric cancer.
CHILDREN’S CANCER CENTER
4901 W. Cypress Street | Tampa, FL 33607 813-367-5437 | ext.10 poleary@childrenscancercenter.org
TORRI ZARNOWSKI
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | CLIVE DANIEL HOME
"Excellence demands effort and perseverance."
AT CLIVE DANIEL HOME, MY SUCCESS STEMS FROM UNWAVERING TENACITY AND ADAPTABILITY. I prioritize genuine care for everyone involved—our team, clients, builders, developers, and the charities we support—because strong relationships drive trust and success. MY GREATEST STRENGTH LIES IN MY ABILITY TO ADAPT TO CHANGE, constantly seeking innovative solutions and new tools to enhance the client experience and stay ahead in a dynamic market. Inspired by my driven and kind parents, I strive daily to make them proud by fostering a culture of kindness, problem-solving and resilience. Embracing the principle that "Excellence demands effort and perseverance," I am proud to contribute to our firm's excellence and I AM GRATEFUL FOR the unwavering support of my loving husband, family, friends, and our top tier team at Clive Daniel Home led by our president, Daniel Lubner.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”
—Atticus Finch, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee
WHAT IS YOUR SINGLE, MOST SIGNIFICANT STRENGTH AND HOW HAVE YOU UTILIZED IT TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT WITHIN AN ORGANIZATIONAL OR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ROLE? Knowing when to ask for help and not being afraid to do so has been invaluable to my work, both as an attorney and with the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. A common refrain throughout the Sarasota business community is that it is hard to network and forge business relationships if you are not originally from the Sarasota area. I hail from the Northeast and can attest to the truth of this statement. As a result, I had to get comfortable asking others for help to build business connections and make a name for myself in the legal industry. Now that I’ve established my practice in Sarasota, I pride myself on helping build connections for other newcomers. This strength translates directly to my work with the Boys and Girls Club. I know firsthand the transformational effect that something as simple as an outstretched hand and a little help can have on a person’s life, and I want to be that difference maker for kids in my community. This goal has pushed me forward through some of our organization’s toughest times, especially during the pandemic, when it was even more important to continue to provide critical services to our kids. Asking for help is integral to enacting any kind of meaningful change, and it has irrevocably shaped my personal and professional life. WHAT IS YOUR “SECRET SAUCE”? As a litigator, I interact with a lot of big personalities and strong emotions on a daily basis, and it can often be difficult to shake off the negativity. To combat this, I created a folder called “Sunshine” in which I have placed all the kind and appreciative messages I’ve been lucky enough to receive from my clients and colleagues over the years. One message in particular helps give me perspective when I have a rough day. Several years ago, I represented a woman on behalf of her recently passed father in a heavily disputed case. Once the dust settled, the daughter reached out to thank me for representing who her dad was as a human being—his values and what he cared about. This message reminds me that through my work as an attorney, I have made, and will continue to make, a positive difference in the lives of my clients. In a career where kind words are sometimes few and far between, my Sunshine folder is my secret sauce. DESCRIBE YOUR OWN OUTLOOK ON LIFE IN SIX WORDS. Being kind is not a weakness. EVERY DAY I AM THANKFUL FOR the opportunity to be a problem-solver for my clients and community. TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION OR PHILANTHROPIC WORK. Shumaker, the law firm where I have been lucky enough to work for over 15 years, is a premier provider of legal and legislative services with a team of more than 300 lawyers and advisors, 55 paralegals, and 550 employees in its 12 offices located throughout Florida, Ohio, Minnesota, and the Carolinas. We are focused on being a positive and impactful difference maker for our clients and in the communities we serve by providing high-quality, dependable counsel while supporting a variety of nonprofits and local organizations. Shumaker recently announced the launch of our Make a Difference through Literacy Initiative, which aims to improve literacy for more than 250,000 individuals by 2025.
SHUMAKER, LOOP & KENDRICK, LLP
240 South Pineapple Avenue | 9th Floor Sarasota, FL 34236
941.364.2783 | mserrano@shumaker.com
Fortitude
IVORY MATTHEWS VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, NEAL COMMUNITIES
"Change your mind, change your life."
WHAT IS YOUR SINGLE, MOST SIGNIFICANT STRENGTH AND HOW HAVE YOU UTILIZED IT TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT WITHIN AN ORGANIZATIONAL OR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ROLE? My success has largely stemmed from my strong communication skills. Whether in my personal life or my work in public policy, I've made a significant impact by embracing and navigating difficult conversations. I'm good at articulating thoughts during challenging situations. I also take pride in acknowledging the hard work of my team and making sure that I am giving feedback and praise. I've made it a priority to confidently share my own achievements. Recognizing that women often face challenges in celebrating their accomplishments, I strive to openly discuss my successes and the impact of my work because I am very proud of it. WHAT IS YOUR “SECRET SAUCE?” The power of A-S-K. DESCRIBE YOUR OWN OUTLOOK ON LIFE IN SIX WORDS. Life is long, stay flexible. PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SENTENCE: EVERY DAY I AM THANKFUL FOR never listening to the people who want to see me fail.
MY STORY OF SUCCESS STEMS FROM RESILIENCE, FLEXIBILITY AND PERSEVERANCE. From a very young age; I believed in my internal locus of control. I believed that I had the power to change and improve my situation. I don’t believe in blame or clinging onto excuses. I believe I’m the one in control and also realize what is out of my control; and I make peace with that. I think that particular mindset can dictate your perception of success. The concept of “success” means balance and happiness to me. I don’t believe it’s a final arrival point. It’s a never ending negotiation and work in progress. I think on a personal level, I’ve operated in an underdog mentality. I operate well in that space because it’s a motivator for me. My upbringing and even now I encounter people (as we all do) who self project their insecurities onto you. If I did well as a child there were justifications for my success unrelated to my abilities or talent. Or it was about minimizing my accomplishments. I think that chip on my shoulder could’ve easily forced me to develop a hard exterior and shell. But I take pride in the fact that I have channeled it for fuel and focus. I think negative can be channeled to good. WHAT IS YOUR SECRET SAUCE? My interpersonal skills. EVERY DAY I AM THANKFUL FOR my family because they give me the courage to push forward no matter what.
"Cherish every moment. Life is a series of experiences, both big and small. Be present, savor the joys, and learn from the setbacks. They all contribute to the person you are meant to become”
Originally from Boston, I attended college in Cincinnati where I started my career working in sales for a Fortune 500 company before transitioning into real estate with a prominent brokerage. In 2001, my family and I relocated to Florida, where I continued my real estate career in the Sarasota area. My effective negotiating skills and extensive business experience have contributed to my proven track record, including a record-setting sale back in 2015 for $14.5 million and 15 consecutive years of winning the Five-Star Professional Real Estate award. I have always wanted to own my own real estate brokerage. The impetus for me to go out on my own was when I realized the need for a concierge brokerage that delivers a white glove service from start to finish including after the sale. I saw that there was a lack of training and coaching in our industry; I wanted to build a company where the advisors are highly trained with the same core values so when clients hire someone from my company, they know the level of service to expect. In 2020, I started laying the foundation to go out on my own as an independent brokerage. That’s when COVID hit, and I put on the brakes. I was approached by a boutique real estate company called Engel & Völkers about opening a franchise in the Sarasota/Venice area. I had been contacted by several other real estate franchise companies but none of them compared to Engel & Völkers. I was intrigued by what they had to offer and was very impressed with their systematic approach, advisor training and coaching, cutting-edge technology, distinctive marketing measures and truly connected global network. And, their vision and core values aligned with mine.
ENGEL & VÖLKERS SUNCOAST 22 S Links Ave #201 | Sarasota, FL 34236
ANGIE STRINGER
GIRLS INC. OF SARASOTA COUNTY
"Empowered girls empower the world."
WHAT HAS BEEN THE SINGLE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN WORKING AND LIVING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED AS A RESULT? During COVID-19, I realized how important the support services are that we provide to girls and families. Closing our doors in March 2020 was heartbreaking, but we immediately began offering programs virtually to stay in contact with our girls and families. Our team also shifted their focus to addressing the most pressing needs of our families impacted by job loss, school closures and changing circumstances, which challenged us to be strategic in our approach. During this time the strength of our team was more evident than ever. They continuously inspire me with their unwavering commitment to our girls. WHAT IS YOUR SINGLE, MOST SIGNIFICANT STRENGTH AND HOW HAVE YOU UTILIZED IT TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT WITHIN AN ORGANIZATIONAL OR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ROLE? My most significant strength is empathy. I’ve used it to develop strong relationships within my team and community, ensuring everyone feels valued. I believe that empathy has allowed me to build a career and life working with many different groups of people and having the ability to understand the needs of individuals who face different challenges in life than I do. WHAT IS YOUR "SECRET SAUCE"? My secret sauce is a commitment to seeing each person as an individual, recognizing their potential and opportunities to grow into it. Above all, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every person is valued equally. EVERY DAY I AM THANKFUL FOR the opportunity to make a positive, lasting difference in the lives of our amazing girls.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | SUNCOAST CHARITIES FOR CHILDREN
WHAT IS YOUR SINGLE, MOST SIGNIFICANT STRENGTH AND HOW HAVE YOU UTILIZED IT TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT WITHIN AN ORGANIZATIONAL OR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ROLE?
Determination is my most significant strength. I never let unexpected challenges, setbacks, or negativity derail my focus on what I set out to do or achieve. Maintaining a positive attitude and finding solutions for positive outcomes is key within any organization or leadership role. HOW HAS AN EXPERIENCE IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE MOTIVATED YOU? When a stranger came up to me in public with tears in their eyes and said to me, “Thank you for the work you do – it made such a difference for our child.” This motivated me to continue working hard, sharing all the great work that Suncoast Charities for Children provides. WHAT IS YOUR "SECRET SAUCE"? “Never stop believing in yourself.” EVERY DAY I AM THANKFUL FOR the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of local children, teens, and adults with special needs.”
SUNCOAST CHARITIES FOR CHILDREN
5317 Fruitville Road, Suite 43 Sarasota, FL 34232
941-487-7904 | Fax 941-706-3825
“The purpose of life is to live with purpose.”
NILAMBEN PATEL
SUNSHINE ALLERGY AND ASTHMA
WHAT IS YOUR STORY OF SUCCESS? I started out studying pre med at Rutgers University in NJ and went to medical school and internal medicine training in Pennsylvania. I applied and matched into allergy and immunology fellowship at Boston Medical Center. I graduated in 2019 and joined faculty at UMASS – Worcester where I was an Assistant Professor of Medicine, Co - Director of the Allergy Clinic and taught students and trainees.. In 2020 after COVID I decided to move to Sarasota with my new husband to work at a private practice. While the people I worked with were amazing - I was not happy working for someone else, so I decided to leave and start my own office. With the help of my incredible husband, father-in-law and countless other family members, we renovated a building in North Port and opened Sunshine Allergy and Asthma! I am incredibly grateful to be trusted and welcomed by the local primary care doctors and pediatricians as well as the people. Opening my office has been the best decision I have ever made and serving the community around it has been my greatest honor. WHAT IS YOUR “SECRET SAUCE”? Resilience and Honesty. DESCRIBE YOUR OWN OUTLOOK ON LIFE IN SIX WORDS. Embrace uncertainty, be present, find joy. EVERY DAY I AM THANKFUL FOR a supportive family and circle of friends who always believe in me. “
SUNSHINE ALLERGY AND ASTHMA
2565 Toledo Blade Blvd | North Port FL 34289 941-257-3119 Sunshineallergist.com
Meet eight talented women who have made their mark on the Sarasota interior design scene
DESIGNING WOMEN
written by kate wight | photography by wyatt kostygan
This spread, left to right: Tracee Murphy, Jennifer Masters, Chelsea Dunbar and Meg Carson, this page. Ana Santa Maria, Angela Rodriguez, Christiana Engert, Anne Folsom Smith, opposite page.
AT ITS CORE, INTERIOR DESIGN IS ABOUT CREATING ENVIRONMENTS THAT ENHANCE THE WAY WE LIVE, WORK, AND FEEL. Interior designers work closely with architects and builders, often dealing with the highly technical aspects of projects. They also develop close relationships with their clients, helping them discover and refine their style while considering the emotional and practical aspects of a space. SRQ Magazine spoke to eight talented local interior designers who are trailblazers in their field. Each woman runs her own design firm and brings a unique perspective to the world of interiors. These women are redefining what it means to create spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
Angela Rodriguez ANGELA RODRIGUEZ INTERIORS
“I WAS AN ARTIST FROM THE TIME I COULD HOLD A PENCIL,” says Angela Rodriguez. “But when it came to a career I was also interested in the business side of things and I wanted to find something that combined business with the creative arts.” Growing up in Philadelphia, Rodriguez spent every summer from elementary school through high school taking classes at an art college while her mom worked a few blocks away. Over the years she explored a range of disciplines including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography and metalsmithing. “By the time I was deciding where to go to college I felt like I’d already had years at art school,” she says. “I was determined not to go to an art college because as much as I loved the arts I had this impression that I hadn’t found the right thing yet to make a career out of.” Rodriguez was taking business classes when she learned about interior design. The more she understood about what the field included she felt she’d finally found the career path that appealed to both her practical and creative sides. In her sophomore year, she transferred to the Ringling College of Art and Design where she graduated in 2005 with a BFA in Interior Design. In 2020, she was named to the college’s list of most Distinguished Alumni. Ringling is also where she met her husband Pablo. After graduating, Rodriguez quickly found work in hospitality design at a major firm, designing luxury resorts and spas around the globe. While she had always intended to open her own firm someday, that plan was accelerated when her office closed during the Great Recession. In response to this, Rodriguez launched Angela Rodriguez Interiors in 2009.
“In the beginning, it was just me at my dining room table,” she laughs. Fifteen years later, the business has grown to a team of ten, including her husband who has become her business partner as well as her life partner, with offices in Sarasota and Naples. In addition to working with clients in and around Sarasota, the firm takes on projects outside the area, including Manhattan and the Florida Keys. As the firm has grown, so has the Rodriguez family. Rodriguez and her husband didn’t have children when the firm first started but since then they have welcomed three. “It’s a cool thing for my kids to see the family business,” Rodriguez says. “I like to think that it’s a good model for them about work ethic and goal-setting. I think it’s good for them to see how the business has evolved, and that success doesn’t happen overnight. Hard work, commitment and perseverance all go into it.” Angela Rodriguez Interiors, 7357 International Place Suite 105, Sarasota, 941-388-8202, angelarodriguezinteriors.com.
“i really had a passion for New York City. the avant-garde nature of the work that was coming out of New York appealed to me.”
—Jennifer Masters
Jennifer Masters AND MASTERS
JENNIFER MASTERS HAS LED AN ECLECTIC LIFE. A self-described military brat, Masters spent her childhood bouncing around the United States and Europe where she was exposed to different architectural styles. As fascinated by math and science as she was art, Masters realized early that the field of architecture was the perfect blend of those interests. She went on to attend the University of Tennessee where she received a Bachelor of Architecture Degree. After college, she was ready to tackle city life. “I really had a passion for New York City,” Masters says. “The multiculturalism and the pace of the city appealed to me, and then just the avant-garde nature of the work that was coming out of New York also appealed to me.” In New York, a lot of architecture work consists of taking existing structures and working within them, instead of creating new builds. After moving there, Masters found herself focusing more on interior architecture than exterior architecture. She built her reputation working for large firms on projects ranging from galleries and museums to high-end residential spaces to hotels in Dubai.
“But then I wasn’t happy just doing the interior architecture of those spaces,” she says. “I wanted to also put together the furnishings so that it looked like a place that was done by one hand. And that’s how I came to be more on the interior design side of things.” Masters spent the next 18 years in New York but after her daughter was born her intense work schedule and the high cost of living prompted a change of scenery. She and her daughter relocated to Sarasota and she opened And Masters. “Getting past the age of 40, I didn’t know if I necessarily wanted to work for anybody again. The move to Florida allowed me to spend more time with my daughter, and it also prompted me to really make a go of it and start my own business,” Masters says. Seven years later, the business has blossomed, growing organically from repeat clients and word of mouth. As of this summer, Masters has added two people to her team so she’s no longer flying solo. The slower pace of living has also given Masters the opportunity to give back.
“After having my daughter I wanted to give back to the community so when I came down here I knew I wanted to join the Junior League,” she says. “It ended up being important because it helped me meet other women in town. Some of my first clients came through the Junior League and those clients are now dear friends. So that’s been a blessing in twofold. I’ve been able to do what I wanted to do, which was to contribute to the community, but also teach my daughter that giving back is an important element of being a responsible adult.” And Masters, 630 Orange Avenue Suite 200D, Sarasota, 941-706-3300, andmasters.com.
DANGEROUSFIT
LAKEWOOD
RANCH | SARASOTA
"PACK
YOUR DOUBTS AND DISCOURAGEMENT INTO YOUR FITNESS BAG AND LEAVE
IT AT HOME!"
AT DANGEROUSFIT WE KNOW THAT YOU WANT TO BE POWERFUL AND SEXY. To do that, you need a strong, physical presence, lots of positive energy, and a mindset centered on wellbeing. We have all that you need to create a powerful and sexy new you. Your world needs you! Hi, I am Dangerous Donna, the personality behind DangerousFit Personal Training Service and I am excited to roar by the side of the other ladies. For over thirty years, I have trained everyone from the soccer moms to the professional athletes. I was one of the first Personal Trainers in the country, and I opened one of the first personal training facilities in the country; then known as DangerousCurves. I, myself, have competed at the highest levels of body sculpting, combining weight, aerobic training and nutrition for maximum results. The only thing I love more than overcoming challenges and creating power in my own life is multiplying it in others.
For many women, stepping into a traditional gym can feel like a daunting experience. Whether it’s the intimidating atmosphere, unwanted attention, or lack of confidence in using equipment, there are many barriers that can prevent a woman from reaching her fitness goals. This is where DangerousFit’s women-only gym comes in. We provide specialized programs designed to the unique needs and goals of women. Our service caters to a diverse range of preferences, from the elite female age 40+, targeted exercise routines that consider women’s specific physiological factors, and to the process of being nourished with a female-centric approach. Our training environments are designed to empower and have fun. Highly qualified professionals coach, encourage and “look out” for participants.
“I DO NOT WATCH HGTV BECAUSE IT CAN GIVE PEOPLE UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE ON SMALL BUDGETS AND TIGHT TIMELINES,” SAYS MEG CARSON. Ironically, HGTV was popular with college students when Carson was attending Florida State University in the early 2000s. While she had originally planned to major in communications, she switched her focus to interior design. After graduating she spent several years in Orlando doing commercial projects at a boutique interior design firm before moving to Sarasota in 2011 where she worked for a luxury custom home builder. Finding herself in high demand from prior clients and referrals, Carson struck out on her own and opened Emcy Interiors 2015. Now she has two other designers and an office coordinator on her team, and the firm has as many as 40 clients at any given time. Success like that doesn’t happen overnight. “I would work 60, 80 hours a week,” Carson says. “It was nuts. I never saw my husband. But I got it off the ground.” Though she’s developed a reputation for her coastal contemporary work, Carson’s willingness to take on projects of all sizes and design styles has helped her build a loyal clientele. But while Emcy Interiors is full-service, Carson isn’t available 24/7 anymore. “I used to work all day every day, Saturdays, into the night, into the mornings,” she admits. “But I have a three-year-old and a sixteen-month-old so any free time is spent with them. Now I turn it off at five o’clock. That’s their time.” Emcy Interior Design, 2580 University Parkway, Sarasota, 941-807-0479, emcyinteriordesign.com.
Chelsea Dunbar BLU INTERIORS
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A GOOD ROLE MODEL.“My mom owns a graphic design company. It’s a woman-owned design company and it was out of our house so I watched her run a design firm for my whole life,” says Chelsea Dunbar. Dunbar shared her mother’s creativity, but her interests skewed toward interior design. She attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, graduating with a BFA in interior design. She landed a job at a large architecture firm in Atlanta working on major commercial projects. “I built hotels, convention centers, offices, malls all over the world, islands in Dubai,” she says. “We did the Georgia Aquarium. It was my dream job.” In 2009, the real estate market was down and the architecture and design fields were suffering economically as a result. Dunbar watched as friends and colleagues were laid off. Pregnant with her first child at the time, she started designing neighbor’s homes as a backup plan. She quickly realized working herself would give her a lot more flexibility when her son was born and decided to branch out on her own. “Shifting from commercial to residential design is like an entirely different field,” Dunbar says. “I didn’t have a single resource. It was a huge learning curve. But it was fun.” She had a knack for it. In addition to high-end residential homes, Dunbar worked on projects for HGTV, doing the design work that doesn’t show up on camera. She was pregnant with her daughter when she worked on the Atlanta season of Property Brothers. As their kids grew older, Dunbar and her husband returned to Sarasota to be closer to family. In 2015, she and longtime friend Nicole Dolan opened Blu Home and Dunbar rebranded her once eponymous design business as Blu Interiors. “I have ten women on my team right now and we all contribute to every project,” she says. “It felt wrong to have the business just be my name.” Blu Interiors, 1830 South Osprey Avenue Suite 101, Sarasota, 941-500-4563, bluinteriors.com.
Ana Santa Maria STUDIO SANTA MARIA
INTERIOR DESIGN IS OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD. People tend to think it’s all about picking out furniture and selecting paint swatches and while that is an aspect of it, there is so much more to the profession. “I like to tell people to think of it as interior architecture,” says Ana Santa Maria. “We do the detailing, we do the selections, we pick out the paint and we pick out the wall coverings but that’s the jewels to the dress. You have to make the dress first before you add all the jewels to it.”
Santa Maria knows a thing or two about architecture. Her father is an architect and she and her older brother grew up visiting their dad’s job sites. It made an impression on them both. Her brother became an architect, while Santa Maria opted for a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Interior Arts and Space Planning from Ringling College of Art and Design. As a student, Santa Maria landed an internship at the Tampa office of HOK Architecture, a global firm where she was so impressive she was offered a job before she had even graduated. After several years in the industry she was ready to strike out on her own and she started Studio Santa Maria.
“I had a young family, I had two boys, and I wanted to be able to have the open schedule that I needed in order to be a mom,” she says. “It was important for me to establish myself as a mom, a wife and a professional and I found that it was somewhat difficult to do all of that when a company was depending on me. When I’m depending on myself, I know what my responsibilities are. I establish how hard I push myself in order to accomplish what I need to get accomplished.” Studio Santa Maria, 1100 South Tamiami Trail Suite 303, Sarasota, 941-957-8187, apex-studio.com.
“since i’m from maryland, having the orioles spring training here was kind of a match made in heaven.” —Christiana Engert
Christiana Engert FROND AND FERN DESIGN
“WHEN I WAS TEN, MY PARENTS DECIDED TO CUSTOM BUILD A HOME,” Christiana Engert says. “I was able to be part of the process, getting to choose my carpet and wall colors and what went in our bathroom. It helped open my eyes to interior design as a career pathway.” Engert started taking AutoCAD courses in high school and she specifically sought out a college with an accredited interior design program, ultimately settling on High Point University in High Point, NC. This locale is also home to the High Point Furniture Market, a major furniture trade show that attracts design industry professionals from around the globe. While in school, Engert worked at the biannual market in a variety of showrooms and built relationships with interior designers. By the time Engert graduated, job offers were rolling in. She accepted one in Sarasota in part because she was drawn to the town’s natural beauty and friendly vibe. “And since I’m from Maryland, having the Orioles spring training here was kind of a match made in heaven,” she laughs. Over the next ten years Engert explored different aspects of the interior design field, working on everything from condo renovations with quick turnovers to lengthy custom builds under the auspices of an architecture firm. “I’d say the most influential part of my career was the time I spent with a high-end design firm. That’s where I cut my teeth,” Engert says. “I got exposed to the new construction process in Florida, and I developed some great relationships in the community. In addition to building her professional life, Engert also had to develop a personal life. Aside from designers who had extended her job offers, she didn’t know anyone when she moved to Sarasota. She found a sense of community through coaching youth sports. “I’m so fortunate to be part of the lacrosse community in Sarasota,” she says. “Families really welcomed me when I started coaching. I have girls that I coached when they were very young and now they’re going off to college and I’m coaching their younger sisters.” Engert opened her firm Frond and Fern Design in January 2024. While she’s new to entrepreneurship she’s already making a splash. Her first major project as an independent designer is called the Bird Key Residence. Frond and Fern Design, 941-504-5975, frondandferndesign.com.
Anne Folsom Smith ANNE FOLSOM SMITH INTERIOR DESIGN
“WHEN I WENT TO COLLEGE I WANTED TO BE AN ENGLISH MAJOR. My freshman year I took a few English courses and I said, ‘This is not for me,’” says Anne Folsom Smith. “A dear friend of mine suggested I become an interior designer. So that’s why I got into the business.” As it turned out, interior design was a much better fit. Folsom Smith received her education at East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee and held several jobs in the design field before launching Anne Folsom Smith Interior Design in 1983. Since day one, her office has been located in the United States Garage Building in Burns Court, a historic building from 1924 that she renovated with her husband, architect Frank Folsom Smith. Over the last four decades, Folsom Smith has received numerous awards and has had her work featured in prestigious publications including Architectural Digest. But she doesn’t spend a lot of time looking back. “It’s very important for people to know that we’re not an old firm that does only traditional things,” Folsom Smith says. “We’re constantly making sure we stay relevant. We are more than capable of doing any kind of design that anybody throws at us.”
This philosophy carries over to her work with the Sarasota Orchestra, where she has served as a board member for over 20 years. “The majority of people who support classical music are in their 60s and 70s. We’re trying so hard to get young people to listen to classical music and to be involved in the many programs that the orchestra offers,” she says. “The orchestra is such a vital part of this community that I would be remiss not to be a part of it.” Anne Folsom Smith Interior Design, 330 South Pineapple Avenue, Suite 206, Sarasota, 941-957-0434, annefolsomsmith.com.
“design is such a personal component of your home that being able to communicate with someone and understand how they feel about their spaces is very valuable.” —Tracee Murphy
Tracee Murphy TRADE MARK INTERIORS
SOME PEOPLE KNOW FROM AN EARLY AGE THAT INTERIOR DESIGN IS THE RIGHT CAREER PATH. That wasn’t the case for Tracee Murphy who went to college for psychology. Interior design wasn’t even on her radar. “Then when I was out in the real world being an adult I bought a house and started designing it and discovered what interior design was,” says Murphy. “I started reading about it and researching it. After I designed my house I did my neighbor’s house and my sister’s house and then somebody else’s house and I thought, ‘Maybe I should go back to school.’” Murphy did just that and got a second degree in interior design. She worked at a design firm for a bit to get her feet under her before launching Trade Mark Interiors in 2006. “I started the business out of necessity basically,” she says. “I had two young kids and found I wanted freedom and flexibility. I would say I really worked part-time in the design industry for about fifteen years. Being a mom was an important thing to me and I wanted to make sure that was good.” As her kids grew older, Murphy was able to focus more time and attention on the business. Trade Mark has been steadily growing and now consists of a team of four designers and an operations manager. On September 12 of this year Murphy debuted an educational platform called the Designer Launch featuring classes she wrote where interior designers can get the accredited certification they need for licensing in Florida. Murphy’s psychology background helped her develop these classes, just like it helps her relate to her clients. “Design is such a personal component of your home that being able to communicate with someone and understand how they feel about their spaces is very valuable,” she says. “And nine times out of ten, we’re working with a couple. It helps to understand how two people coexist within a home so we can meet the needs of both parties.” Trade Mark Interiors, 3232 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-879-9494, trademarkinteriordesign.com.
