The parking lots are full and so is the large conference room on the first floor of the Center for Arts and Humanity, where the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is celebrating a community icon with the opening of a solo exhibition of the work of local artist Eleanor Merritt. Late arrivals crane for a better view as Merritt finishes an impromptu speech to rounds of applause and one woman standing to declare, “You are the greatest!” Merritt takes it in stride, saying only the show of support was “very special and very empowering.” She had thought this may be her last exhibit, she muses, “but after that show, maybe it won’t be.”

A known presence in the arts community since her arrival in Sarasota in the 1980s, Merritt has served on the board of the Arts Council, as president of the Venice Art Center and on the board of the Ringling Museum, where she was also a docent for 25 years. And as a member of the Florida Artists Group, Women Contemporary Painters, Petticoat Painters and Sarasota’s own Art Uptown artists collective, Merrit has devoted decades to her art. Entitled Sixty Years of Painting, 1957–2017, this exhibit offers a retrospective on Merritt’s acclaimed career through a series of more than 20 paintings adorning the halls and walls of the Center and leading the viewer through Merritt’s own journey of artistic self-discovery.

The exhibit is a “true retrospective,” says Merritt, in that to the careful viewer, it reveals more than just a chronology of paintings but an artist’s evolution over time. “I wanted to show that evolution,” she says, “and how it transformed my work and the way in which I painted.” With limited space on the walls, paintings were selected with purpose to represent pivotal moments in her career. As an indirect result, while many paintings in the show are for sale, many are also from Merritt’s private collection and available only for viewing.

Walking through the exhibit, certain consistencies in techniques manifest—the strong use of line and curve, the dynamic palette, a persistent figurative focus and a penchant for patterning—as do differences, such as the continual shift in medium from acrylics to oils to water-based and mixed-media. “I’ve been constantly experimenting and constantly looking for new ways to make the image,” says Merritt. “I like the material to allow me to be experimental.”

As for the artist moving forward, what the future holds, she can’t say. Will this be Eleanor Merritt’s last show? It seems doubtful. “I’ll just keep painting,” she says, “and see what happens.”

Sixty Years of Painting, 1957–2017 hangs at the Center for Arts and Humanity through February 27. 

Pictured: Eleanor Merritt stands in front of her work. Photo by Michael White.

It’s hard to imagine what Tom Brady ate to fuel himself before the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LI in order to come back and sink that mindblowing win for the Patriots—but it probably looked a whole lot like a healthful bowl from Fresh Kitchen. These build-your-own bowls pack in the power with hormone- and antibiotic-free grilled meats, local roasted vegetables and an array of bases including vegetable quinoa, sweet potato noodles and perfectly spiced rice sure to kickstart the energy for any major comeback. Pair with a signature FK bottled cold-pressed juice to really #BeLikeBrady. Football season may be over but Fresh Kitchen is here for the win.  

Photo courtesy of Fresh Kitchen.

Fresh Kitchen, 8491 Cooper Creek Blvd., Bradenton, 941-208-3900.

The exhibition for Marc Chagall’s nature-inspired artwork at the Selby Gardens has partnered with the Perlman Music Program (PMP) to present one of six Chagall Nights. On Wednesday, February 15 from 6pm–9pm alumni from PMP will perform at the Gardens. They will play violins from Violins of Hope, a traveling exhibit of 16 instruments once played by those imprisoned during the Holocaust at Nazi concentration camps. Tickets are $40 for Selby Gardens members and $50 for guests. Along with the performance, there is full access to the Gardens, the exhibition, hors d’oeuvres and complimentary beer or wine. This performance is presented by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and the Mazur Family Fund. 

Additional monthly performances by the likes of the Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Opera and the Sarasota Orchestra are also planned. Visit www.selby.org for a complete schedule.  

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) has named Ryan Hale its dean of academic affairs at SCF Venice. Hale, who began in his new job in July, formerly was a mathematics instructor and dean of students at SCF’s Collegiate School. A long time educator, Hale helped develop two Charter Schools. In his new role, he has expanded SCF programs including the accelerated dual enrollment program and the honors program. Hale is responsible for the direction and administration of academic programs in Venice, including Language and Literature, Business and Technology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Hale has a bachelor of science in chemistry from Grand Valley State University in Michigan and a master of science from the University of Florida at Gainesville. He is working on his doctorate in higher education administration, where his research focuses on the factors affecting college readiness in mathematics for students from low-income households. 

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF)

Sarasota Memorial Hospital has earned 3-Star ratings from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for overall quality and clinical outcomes in all three adult cardiac surgery procedures the national organization measures: aortic valve replacement (AVR), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and AVR combined with CABG surgery. The 3-star ratings, which denote the highest category of quality, place SMH’s cardiac surgeons among the best of nearly 4,000 surgeons and providers in the United States and Canada participating in the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, officials announced at Sarasota Memorial’s fifth annual Cardiac Summit on Saturday. Only 11 participating hospitals achieved the 3-Star ratings across the board – for overall care and clinical outcomes achieved in isolated CABG, isolated AVR and CABG+AVR procedures. 

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office today donated more than 60 computers to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County. The computers were seized during investigations into illegal internet gambling cafes throughout Sarasota County and prior to the donation, cleaned by digital forensic technicians. The 63 computers will be placed at the Newtown Estates Park, Lee Wetherington and Gene Matthews campuses, granting students access to technology outside the classroom and further aiding the after-school program in facilitating study and homework sessions. 

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office

In this month's Design Dossier (Head Over Heels), we catch up with Tatyana Sharoubim, owner of high-end shoe boutique T. Georgiano's. Sit on a comfy couch with her and her son Byron Stewart and chat about entrepreneurship, the risks and joys of owning your own business and the future of fashion in Sarasota.  

Read more