Gathering every Friday, usually somewhere in Downtown Sarasota, the members of the Sarasota Urban Sketchers set up their easels and their notepads, their pens, pencils and watercolors, and set to sketching. A loosely formed organization of largely amateurs, the group meets on a weekly basis for the simple enjoyment of the art and pleasure of each other’s company. But last month, the artists of Sarasota Urban Sketchers proved that once again a small group of determined people can make a difference, with a donation of near $3000 for two local schools from the collective’s first group show and fundraiser.

Founded almost two years ago by Faith Reynolds, art classes at Selby Gardens turned into something more as she took to sketching on her own about town on Fridays. First one friend tagged along and then two and then friends of friends and today Sarasota Urban Sketchers boasts around 30 members. Intentionally informal, Reynolds sends out an email each Wednesday notifying the group of the next location and those who can attend do. Typically nine to 13 sketchers come out every week.

But all of the members chipped in for Sarasota Urban Sketchers’ first group show, held this past March at Malbi Décor on Pineapple Avenue. Organizing with Malbi owner Maria Alberta Borri, Reynolds and the other members contributed original work for sale while Borri and other local merchants offered items for raffle—with 100% of the proceeds going to the art departments at Booker Middle School and Horizons Academy. “We knew the schools were underfunded in their arts,” says Reynolds, but they didn’t know how badly. Visiting the schools later, she remembers a young and talented art teacher showing her the cabinet where he kept his class’ art supplied. “We were appalled,” says Reynolds. “They were hardly there.” When students painted murals on the walls of the school building, they used leftover house paint donated by teachers.

As for the sketchers, many of them had never sold a painting, but that changed rather quickly. More than 100 people came out for the show at Malbi, estimates Reynolds, and the show generated $2,900 to be divided evenly and presented to Booker Middle and Horizon Academy. The artists were “thrilled,” says Reynolds, but unsurprised. “People in this area are pretty generous,” she says.

Looking to the future, Reynolds says that the group will return to both school to sketch with the students, but other than that aims to continue how it has—informal, fun and open to all. Always looking for new members, Reynolds says it’s never too late to join. “We have infinite places to sketch in Sarasota,” she says. From the Ringling Museum to Selby Gardens or just any of the many interesting perspectives and constructions that can be found in the city, there’s always something new to capture with a blank sheet of paper.

For those looking to join, the Sarasota Urban Sketchers can be found on Facebook and Reynolds can be reached at faithreynolds@me.com. 

Pictured: The Sarasota Urban Sketchers present funds raised to Horizon Academy�s art department. Left to right, Assistant Principal Ryan Clarke, artist Amy Harding, artist Brandy Braver, Malbi proprietor Maria Borri, artist Faith Reynolds, Horizon

Looking for a decadent dessert but don't want the weight or the calories of chocolate? Libby's Café makes what's called a Dutch Apple Baby, a made-to-order masterpiece served in a hot skillet right out of the oven. Cinnamon-covered apple slices get baked into a puffy cake pastry and slathered (yes, slathered) with warm caramel sauce—every spoonful you raise to your mouth has golden sugar droplets reaching back down toward the gooey center. And don't forget the pièce de résistance: the cinnamon ice cream. It's cool, it's hot—the Dutch Baby is everything.  

Libby's Cafe, 1917 South Osprey Ave., Sarasota, 941-487-7300.

Commercial real estate agent Ivan Gould of RE/MAX Alliance Group has earned the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation. Awarded by the CCIM Institute, the designation recognizes leading experts in commercial investment real estate. Designees have completed advanced coursework in financial and market analysis, and have demonstrated extensive experience in the commercial real estate industry. In 2016, Gould ranked 20th among the top 25 RE/MAX commercial sales associates in the Florida region. He has worked in banking and real estate since 1981, bringing experience in lending, developing, leasing and bank-owned properties. He came to Florida from the United Kingdom, where he is still a fully qualified banker and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (now the Institute of Financial Services), having gained the prestigious "Top 50 Worldwide" member status. Gould's last position in the United Kingdom was as chief executive officer of the Buckinghamshire Building Society, where he built assets from $250 million to $400 million during his five-year tenure. He has a master's in business administration from Henley Business School in the United Kingdom. 

RE/MAX Alliance Group

Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Todd Bowden has announced that as part of the realignment of executive responsibilities in his administration, the position of executive director of human resources and labor relations will be restored. The position has been vacant since the retirement of Michael Jones in 2014. Bowden has appointed Roy Sprinkle to the job. Sprinkle has served as the district director of human resources and labor relations since 2007. As an executive director in the operations division of the district organization, he will report to Assistant Superintendent/Chief Operations Officer Scott Lempe. The appointment will be presented to the School Board at its May 2 meeting. If approved, it will be effective immediately. Sprinkle, 52, served as principal of Bay Haven School of Basics Plus, the district’s elementary magnet school, from 2004–07. He was an assistant principal at North Port High from 2001–04 and an AP at Booker Middle from 1998–2001. He held administrative positions with the Osceola County School District in 1997–98 and served as an assistant principal of a junior/senior high school in Indiana from 1995–97. He taught children with emotional handicaps in Indiana from 1989–95. Sprinkle holds a bachelor’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University Bloomington, a master’s degree in educational studies from Purdue University and a certificate of educational leadership from the University of Central Florida. 

Sarasota County Schools

Michael's On East Co-Proprietors Michael Klauber and Philip Mancini accepted a proclamation from Mayor Willie Shaw on behalf of the City of Sarasota this week during a City Commission meeting held at City Hall. The proclamation commemorated the restaurateurs’ three decades of success in the culinary world and commitment to the Sarasota community through their fine dining restaurant, boutique wine cellar and prominent catering division. The proclamation conclusion read: “Now, therefore, the City Commission of the City of Sarasota, Florida, and on behalf of the citizens of our community, takes great pride in recognizing April 17, 2017 as ‘Michael’s On East Day,’ a day of special importance and worthy of the recognition of the citizens of the city of Sarasota.” The official 30th anniversary of the Restaurant’s founding is April 27, 2017. 

Michael's On East

Whether your child is taking their first steps in dance or perfecting their arabesque, this summer the only place to be is The Sarasota Ballet School. ‘Step Into Ballet’ is the perfect introduction to dance, with a 1 week camp from 9am – 12pm, children ages 4 – 6 will discover the magic and joy of ballet with our wonderful and nurturing staff. The ‘Children’s Summer Workshop’ will provide student’s aged 7 – 10 with 2 weeks of dedicated and tailored instruction to develop and enhance their understanding and connection to the world of ballet. Starting at 9am and finishing at 3pm, each action packed day will include classes in ballet, jazz and costume design from our excellent and enthusiastic teachers.

Don’t miss out on all the excitement and delve into dance at The Sarasota Ballet School this Summer. 

Sarasota Ballet

Children's author Mifflin Lowe wants kids to know they have options in life. His new book Cowboy Howie chronicles the story of Howie, a child (living in New York City with his black mother and white father) who just wants to be a cowboy. Read about his story in Cowboy Dreams. 

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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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