At the age of 13, Alyssia Lazin received a camera from her parents. “It was my favorite gift I ever received and it was a great way for me to express myself,” she said. “Photography spoke to me.” Lazin never put the camera down, snapping away through her time as a student at Yale University and a graphic designer in New York City. The international photographer today divides her time between the beauties of Siesta Key and Lucca, Italy, and her latest commission sees 26 photographs selected for display in the Lodha Supremus building in Mumbai, India, designed by the firm of acclaimed architect I.M. Pei.

With continued interest in and inspiration from architecture and abstract painting, Lazin’s own work leans heavily towards the abstract into what she feels comfortable calling “semi-abstract”—objects and subjects remain largely identifiable, but composition and cropping suggest an alternate understanding. Human subjects only recently entered the frame, but even Lazin’s portraiture introduces a hint of subversion, often obscuring or ignoring the face. “I’m interested in the parts of the figure that express something without seeing the face,” she said. A series of subjects with their backs defiantly to the camera only drives the point home.

Brought in on the ground floor by an Indian gallery owner familiar with her work, Lazin was thrilled “to say the least,” she said. Contacted before the building was completed, she worked with developers throughout the construction process to find photographs fitting the design and desired feel. “The overarching element would be color,” Lazin said. “India is full of color and it’s really appreciated there.”

In addition, Lazin and husband Pavel Kapic, a painter, will have a joint exhibit in Pune, India, in 2017. 

Pictured: Fragment Broken Off by Alyssia Lazin.

The Sarasota theater scene was rocked this week by news of The Players' rebrand and imminent relocation to Lakewood Ranch, where the beloved community icon will take residence in the planned Players Centre for Performing Arts. With designs in the works for a 480-seat main stage auditorium, 125-seat black box theater and 100-seat cabaret stage alongside the main campus for the Simonsen Players Studio and its educational endeavors, Players Artistic Director Jeffery Kin envisions a bright and expansive future for Sarasota’s oldest community theater. “We’ve cut some square pegs into round holes to make this current location work,” he said. “It will be really nice to be the shining new penny for once.”

And what a penny it will be. Designs are not yet finalized but current plans see the three stages—main, black box and cabaret—feeding an expansive front lobby, with a separate entrance for students attending class or rehearsal. With all three stages available year-round, Kin views the move as a chance to reinforce the theater’s identity as an artistic hub for the greater community and an opportunity to support its aspirations. “We’re going to have spaces that allow us to share with other arts groups,” he said. “I’m hoping to be a home for contemporary dance and choral groups and even small play festivals.”

That’s a big part of why Kin isn’t too sad to leave the downtown area and the theater district that grew around Players. “I don’t think we’re needed downtown,” said Kin. “Most community theaters aren’t in the middle of an arts hub and surrounded by professionals.” A community theater doesn’t need to compete with professional theaters, and with those options the downtown audience doesn’t strictly need the presence of a community theater with all that entails. Lakewood Ranch however... “Lakewood Ranch folks have been champing at the bit for an arts center and that’s what we plan on being,” said Kin, making extra note of the availability of space in Lakewood Ranch versus the heavily developed downtown area. “We’re moving ourselves to a location where we can have growth and potential,” he added.

From a theatrical production standpoint, the biggest changes will come with increased space and modern technology. “Right now we’re dealing with technology that is 50 years old,” said Kin, “and what’s not is laid into a plot that’s 50 years old.” The new space will be constructed from the ground up with modern-day acoustics and integrated state-of-the-art equipment. Shows should be easier for audiences to both see and hear, according to Kin, which is no small matter with a seasoned theater-going populace. As for the educational programming, he expects “huge growth.”

“Right now we do a great job ‘making do,’” Kin said. “To have a space that has the proper dimensions and up-to-date theatrical equipment is going to do huge things for us.” 

Downtown's newest coffee addition Kahwa (French slang for coffee) is perhaps best known for roasting its own single-origin beans, pouring out full-bodied blends named after winds from different regions of the world. But Kahwa isn't simply a coffee destination; snap out of your pre-caffeinated haze and notice the fully-stocked case full to the brim with pastry gold. 

And that's just what the croissants are: flaky, smooth, chocolate and buttery gold. A store manager arrives at 6:45am to begin baking the nuggets of dough flown in from France. If Kahwa is your early-morning pit stop, it's impossible to miss the mouthwatering fragrance drifting out to the sidewalk tables. Leave yourself a few extra minutes to get to work or spend a lazy Parisian-inspired afternoon sipping the Mistral espresso and savoring a few flaky morsels while sitting on the terrasse.  

Kahwa Coffee, 1487 2nd St., Sarasota, 941- 203-8971

If you have taken juicing into your own hands, you may be wondering what to do with all that leftover pulp. This recipe, from my book Pulp Kitchen, will help you make a delicious treat with juicing pulp. These raw, vegan chocolate peanut butter balls are so healthful and simple that you will not believe how incredible they are.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients: 1 cup carrot pulp; 1 cup soft pitted medjool dates; ¾ cup crunchy peanut or almond butter; ½ cup cocoa powder; unsweetened shredded coconut, as needed.

Place the carrot pulp in a large mixing bowl and set aside.

In a Vitamix or food processor, combine the dates and peanut or almond butter. Process until relatively smooth, using the plunger of the Vitamix or a spatula to scrape the sides of the machine as needed.

Add the mixture to the large mixing bowl. Add the cocoa powder and knead well.

Shape the mixture into 26 balls of equal size. Roll each ball in coconut. Serve immediately, or store in a covered container in the refrigerator.  

Pulp Kitchen

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight promoted eight employees to new ranks this week. Lt. Tim Enos was promoted to the rank of Captain and will serve as the Emergency Operations Bureau Commander. Media Relations Specialist Kaitlyn Johnston was promoted to Community Affairs Director. In the Law Enforcement Division, Sgts. Bryan Ivings, Donny Kennard and Brian Gregory were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Detective Matt Tuggle and Deputies Gregory Cramer and James Darby were promoted to the rank of Sergeant. 

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office

The Family Village will host a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony on Tuesday for a facility that will add 66 beds to Harvest House’s existing 340 beds serving families, veterans and unaccompanied youth who are homeless and individuals who are recovering from alcohol or drug addiction. The event will be held at 3:30pm at the facility on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way in Sarasota. 

Harvest House