Ringling College of Art and Design celebrates its students this month with the annual 2017 Best Of Ringling Exhibitions, highlighting work from fine art and illustration to computer animation and advertising design. Spanning six of the college’s galleries, including the debut show for the newly opened Lois and David Stulberg Gallery in the still-rising Basch Visual Arts Center, more than 500 pieces from more than 500 students across 11 different departments are on display, giving the community and fellow students a broader look at the work being done at all corners of campus.

In the Patricia Thompson Gallery in the Keating Center, a selection of portraits and the occasional landscape or interior make up the photography exhibition, while just a quick walk up the wooden gangway across the street leads into the Stulberg Gallery, where computer animation and game art hold court. Concept art for fantastical worlds cover the walls and miniature screening areas with seating and flat-screen TVs rotate through selected animated short films and video game trailers that look like AAA releases. Board games, created and illustrated by Ringling students, sit under glass cubes like relics. By one wall, a gaming station to try some of the computer games built in-house.

For the fine arts, head across Old Bradenton Road to the Crossley Gallery to see the latest in more traditional media, but save time for the Larry R. Thompson Academic Center, which houses both the Willis Smith Gallery and Basch Gallery—each overflowing with student work. In the Basch Gallery, take a gander at advertising design and graphic design projects, and stop by the trio of televisions for a quick but exhilarating time-lapse run-through of the intricacies of motion design. Out one door and through another, and the Smith Gallery highlights work being done by the interior design department and the business of art and design department, with one half dedicated to illustration.

A juried competition, each department brings in an outside juror to critique student work and award the best. At each stop, readings on the wall introduce the juror and their expectations, along with their comments on the award winners. Prizes range from prestige to scholarships to both.

“It’s a lot of work,” says Ringling College Curator of Exhibitions Mark Ormond, “but it’s the most fun show because there’s participation across campus and across majors.” A “campus-wide effort,” the team starts planning back in the fall but the work pays off with one of the college’s most popular shows each year. “It’s very rewarding to see over 1000 people coming on campus,” says Ormond. “It’s a window into what’s happening here and what new ideas are being brought forth by very talented young people.”

The 2017 Best Of Ringling Exhibitions run through April 22. 

Pictured: Work from the interior design department on view in the Willis Smith Gallery. Photo courtesy of Ringling College.

Grapevine Communications on Thursday announced a change in leadership for the company. Founder Angela Massaro-Fain and partner John Fain will work alongside new president Allison Imre Perkowski during a transition. “This transition has been a part of our business strategy, as John and I have discussed the path we’d like to see Grapevine take in the years to come on behalf of our team, our community and our clients,” said Massaro-Fain, who will now serve as executive creative director while Fain stays as operations consultant. “For us, it was about finding the right person who brings the vision, energy and enthusiasm, and embraces Grapevine’s history while moving the agency into the future.”

Perkowski, who launched her career in marketing for the Kansas City Royals Radio Network, later worked for iHeart Media managing clients like the Baltimore Orioles and Schroeder Manatee Ranch. “Grapevine is more than a trusted name for effective multi-media solutions and outstanding creative services,” said Perkowski. “It is an aspiration, a steadfast promise we make to both our clients and ourselves on every project we touch and business we serve. Our clients deserve nothing less, and will continue to see the results they expect from the region’s top agency.” 

Having people over for an Easter lunch this Sunday and need an easy (and fun) meal for both kids and adults? Look no further than Mi Pueblo's carne asada tacos with salsa verde. Hand-held and bite-sized, they're sure to be a crowd pleaser. 

Ingredients: Sirloin steak; corn tortillas; 1 white onion, chopped; fresh cilantro, chopped

Salsa Verde ingredients: 1 large or 2 small tomatoes; 5 jalapeños; 2 garlic cloves; 1 medium onion; 1 bunch of cilantro; 2 avocados; dash of salt

For the salsa verde, add the tomatoes, jalapeños, onions, garlic and cilantro to a pot of water and bring to a boil. After a few minutes, strain ingredients and add to a blender or food processor, along with the avocados. Blend all the ingredients together to desired thickness. Add some of the boiling water to thin out the salsa if needed. Add salt to taste and blend. Then , grill or pan-fry the steak. After steak is cooked through, chop into bite-sized pieces. Warm tortillas over stovetop or in oven. Add steak over tortillas and top with chopped onions and cilantro. Finally, drizzle salsa verde over the tacos and serve. 

Photo courtesy of Mi Pueblo.

Mi Pueblo, 8405 Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, 941-359-9303; 4436 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, 941-379-2880.

Cask & Ale Executive Chef Justin Sells went all the way to Egypt to find the artichokes for his riff on the traditional Mexican sope—there grow specialty artichoke bottoms that negate the need to pluck and pare away all the stiff leaves. Instead, the little hearts come ready and able to be stuffed, in this case, with beer braised short rib, huitlacoche crèma, cotija cheese and a charred tomatillo salsa. Built to mimic the Latin staple usually made from masa, or a corn dough, Sells' version incorporates the hard-to-find, corn-based huitlacoche flavor into the yogurt-centric crèma. Ringing in at just four bucks, this little nugget is the perfect elevated bar bite to go with your bourbon. 

Cask & Ale Kitchen, 1548 Main St., Sarasota, 941-702-8740.

Realtor Maria Lisa Higgins has joined the Venice office of RE/MAX Platinum Realty. She was formerly with Coldwell Banker, where she earned Million Dollar Club status. Specializing in residential properties in the Venice and Englewood area, she brings eight years of real estate experience, strong negotiation skills and a focus on customer service. Higgins joined RE/MAX Platinum Realty because of the company's "brand awareness, resources and multiple offices." A native of New York City, she raised three children with her husband, Sean, in Buffalo, NY. RE/MAX Platinum Realty’s Venice office is located at 307 West Venice Ave. 

RE/MAX Platinum

Pines of Sarasota Education & Training Institute expands its education offerings with the release of its new DVD and online video, titled: “Practical Tips for Better Living with Parkinson’s Disease.” Produced in partnership with neurologist Dean Sutherland, MD, PhD, and occupational therapist Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, this new program is an educational toolkit for those affected by Parkinson’s disease. In the first workshop, Dr. Sutherland provides the medical foundation necessary to understand what happens in the brain, who is at risk, how it is diagnosed and which medications or treatments might be helpful. In the second workshop, internationally renowned trainer Teepa Snow offers practical techniques to empower caregivers. Using physical and visual cues, caregivers learn how to help a person with PD to overcome freezing, improve walking through rhythm or how to assist in transferring from standing to sitting without fear or stress. Pines of Sarasota Education & Training Institute is the educational department of not-for-profit Pines of Sarasota Rehabilitation and Senior Care Community, providing cutting-edge, specialized education, outreach programs, support and resources to family members and geriatric caregivers. 

Pines of Sarasota Education & Training Institute

The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization that focuses on quality, safety and transparency in the US healthcare system, released new Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, which assign A, B, C, D and F letter grades to hospitals nationwide. For the fourth consecutive time, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota received an A for its commitment to reducing errors, infections and accidents that can harm patients. Developed under the guidance of an expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 30 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 US hospitals twice per year. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. 

Doctors Hospital

[blank] slate gallery has announced that it will be closing its Sarasota location on Pineapple Avenue. The gallery will continue to function as an online store. Tonight will be the gallery's final participation in the Burns Court "Second Fridays—Sip, Shop and Stroll" series. With limited hours for today and tomorrow (Friday 3pm–8pm, Saturday 12pm–4pm), the gallery is featuring specials and discounts on not only the art on display, but gallery furnishings from furniture to wall-hanging systems, clothing ceramics and a glass and steel desk. As the gallery closes, the proprietors will still be available by appointment at 302-258-4618 and via email at info@blankslategallery.com.  

[blank] slate gallery

SRQ MEDIA hosts the powerful Hear Me Roar Leadership and Awards Luncheon on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at The Francis to recognize exceptional women in the region through the Annual Women in Business competition who have made noteworthy contributions to business, education, philanthropy, culture and health in the community. The luncheon kicks off with the keynote speaker who shares her story of success and the honoring of this year’s recipient of the prestigious Trailblazer Award, given to a luminary who has cultivated distinguished achievements. It is our great pleasure to announce the keynote speaker and Trailblazer Award recipient for the 2017 annual luncheon and awards ceremony: mathematician, classical pianist and child prodigy Keynote Speaker Ria Persad, Founder and CEO of Statweather, and, Trailblazer Award Honoree Nancy Bernardini, General Manager of Gurwitch Products/President of Laura Mercier and RéVive, the global luxury cosmetics and skincare entreprise. Past Trailblazer Award recipients include Adrienne Vittadini (2015) and Pamela Fiori (2016).

To purchase your online tickets to the SRQ Women in Business Hear Me Roar Leadership and Awards Luncheon and for more details on the program, visit SRQHEARMEROAR.COM. 

Women In Business

SRQ Magazine will host the third annual Women in Business Hear Me Roar Leadership and Awards Luncheon on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at The Francis in downtown Sarasota. We will recognize this year’s Women in Business nominees, our judges, keynote speaker, Ria Persad,  past Leadership Circle ambassadors and our “Hear Me Roar” Trailblazer Award recipient, Nancy Bernardini and announce the finalists and winners who will be inducted into this year’s esteemed 2017 WIB Leadership Circle.

To purchase your tickets to the SRQ Women in Business Hear Me Roar Leadership and Awards Luncheon and for more details on the program, visit SRQHEARMEROAR.COM. 

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