Something special is always on the docket for Sarasota’s Art Ovation Hotel and this week is no different. Starting this coming Monday, the hotel will celebrate “Mark” week, a week-long event celebrating the hotel’s signature “Mark”, with portions of the proceeds benefiting the Ringling College of Art and Design.

“Under Marriott we have the Autograph Collection Hotels. Each one has a signature mark, something that they’re known for, something that was conceived and the hotel has a vision for embracing that mark. For us at Art Ovation, that mark is the sketchbook,” says Robyn Holl, Cultural Curator at the hotel. “This was conceived from the developer’s vision of it being an art hotel in collaboration with the Ringling College of Art and Design, everybody collaborating on creating an experience for the guests with our art exhibits and more specifically, a sketchbook in every room where guests can essentially leave behind their mark with their own drawings.”

This week’s celebration incorporates, as Art Ovation Hotel is known to do, parts of Sarasota that are essential to the city’s identity. Mark week opens with a Circus Celebration, featuring performances from some of the Circus Arts Conservatory’s youth performers and is followed on Tuesday night by a Sketch-a-thon, where guests are invited to draw alongside Ringling College students in the hotel’s lobby. Wednesday and Thursday will feature a whiskey dinner and a mixology class, respectively, followed by a closing cocktail party on Friday night.

September 23 to 27, Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 North Palm Ave, Sarasota, 941-316-0808.

To learn more, visit.