The galleries at Art Center Sarasota are full to bursting with work from all across the state for this year’s Florida’s Finest juried exhibition. Receiving more than 400 submissions from Florida artists and displaying a record 260 throughout the four galleries, the exhibition offers a curated cross section of work being done in the increasingly active Florida scene. “We’re witnessing a blossoming of the visual arts in Florida,” says Florida’s Finest juror R. Lynn Whitelaw, the founding director and curator at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. “This exhibition clearly demonstrates the variety of talents our state is home to.”

From photography to painting, collage to mixed media, the range of media on display rivals the geographical spread, with a strong showing from the sculptural arts, including a geometrically maddening contribution from Zach Gilliland and an alligator named Vinnie, crafted from palm fronds by David Skaggs. But it was Sarasota’s own Jana Millstone who came down with the top prize for a politically charged piece entitled Fire.

Created from acrylic on wood panel, the piece is one in an ongoing series Millstone calls Veil, focusing on women living under the domination of fundamentalist or oppressive regimes. The women of Fire, covered head to toe in seemingly religious garb, all face away from the viewer, as if fleeing, the central recessed figure further increasing the distance between audience and subject. Silkscreened over the top, an original poem by Millstone decries the cycles of fear and hate that suffocate and trap their victims. “They haunt me,” Millstone says of her continual subjects, simultaneously literal and totemic. “I can’t seem to shed myself of them.”

“Astounded” at winning the competition, Millstone admits to initial trepidation at sharing her work. “It could be misinterpreted as an indictment against religion,” she says, “but it’s not.” Though inspired by reading about atrocities committed by the Taliban, the indictment is of a general nature and condemnation of dogmas that would hold women down worldwide. The research side can be “miserable,” says Millstone. “But it’s something I can’t turn a blind eye to. It’s happening in our world now.”

Currently on display at Art Center Sarasota, Florida’s Finest runs through August 11. 

Pictured: "Fire" by Jana Millstone. Image courtesy of Art Center Sarasota.

Churning out homemade creations, Settimi’s Gelato offers a cool and refreshing respite from the summer heat, especially the lemoncello. Resembling creamy lemonade, the lemoncello has a tangy citric taste, giving all the biting and mouth-puckering sensation of lemon but instantly softening it to a delicious tease with the velvety texture of gelato. Sourcing flavors locally and from across the pond, the gelato geniuses at Settimi’s say it all comes down to a strong backbone of fresh whole milk, a boost of non-fat dry milk and some sweet, sweet sugar, for frozen goodness that packs strong flavor into each scoop. Perfect for an afternoon snack or a delicious dessert, Settimi’s gelato satisfies any summertime cool-off craving. Other flavors offered include raspberry, nocciola (hazelnut), stracciatella (milk-based with chocolate shavings), cappuccino, almond chocolate and much more.  

Photo by Shelby Schwartz.

Settimi's Gelato, 367 B St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, 941-388-4485.

Williams Parker attorney Michael J. Wilson has been reappointed to serve as a director of the Tax Section of the Florida Bar for the 2017-2018 term, a position he has held for the past five years. He was also appointed to the section’s Finance Committee. Wilson, a member of Williams Parker’s management committee and the firm's treasurer, practices tax, corporate and business law handling sophisticated tax planning and tax controversy matters and advising clients on their most significant business transactions. He serves as outside general counsel to businesses of all sizes in many industries. He is certified as a tax specialist by the Florida Bar and handles federal, state and international tax planning matters. Wilson also represents clients during the tax audit process, before the Internal Revenue Service Appeals Office and before the Internal Revenue Service National Office, in requests for rulings and technical advice, before the Florida Department of Revenue in audits, appeals and ruling requests and before the United States Tax Court and the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. He also advises clients on sales, acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, private equity and venture capital investments, capital raising transactions, tax-exempt bond financings, credit facilities, business succession, corporate governance and other business and commercial transactions. 

Williams Parker

Florida Studio Theatre has announces that longtime associate director, Kate Alexander, will transition to the role of associate director at large. Alexander has been an artist with the company for more than 30 years, and an executive leader and board member for more than 20 years. Alexander will continue to direct and/or act in five to six productions on FST’s Mainstage, Children’s and Stage III programs. As a founder of FST’s children’s education program, she will continue to provide artistic consultation to program development. She will also continue to guide the FST Forums. Alexander will be stepping off the FST Board of Trustees and will step away from day-to-day operations. 

Florida Studio Theatre

The Francis was full of motivating people, compelling discussions and local professionals eager to learn yesterday at the conclusion of SRQ MEDIA’s 2016-2017 SB2 breakfast symposium series with GOOD HAND Building Capacity in our Independent Sector. Keynote speaker, David Odahowski of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation and panelists Roxie Jerde of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Stacey Corley of the Ringling College of Art and Design, Veronica Brandon Miller of the Goodwill Manasota Foundation, Susie Bowie of the Manatee Community Foundation and Heidi Brown from JFCS of the Suncoast dove into non-profit fundraising, innovation, mission alignment and most importantly, return on donor investment. Thank you to our keynote speaker, panelists, event sponsor Cool Today and series sponsors CS&L, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and the Resort at Longboat Key Club and all who attended yesterday’s spirited event. 

Visit clicksrq.com for event photos.