The energy around the growing Rosemary District ticks up a notch this week with the opening of a new gallery from acclaimed local artist Grace Howl. Located off Central Avenue, the gallery also connects to Howl’s studio, allowing for one continual space dedicated to creation—and for her growing clientele to catch a glimpse of the artist at work. “This was a dream,” says Howl, who also lives above the gallery, completing her consolidated artist’s habitat. “I’ve wanted this for years and it finally came together.” The Grace Howl Contemporary Art Studio & Gallery opens this Friday with a reception at 5:30pm.

On a certain level, Howl knew she needed her own gallery as much as wanted one. “We’ve got great galleries and I respect them very much,” says Howl, “but I probably don’t fit the mold.” Part of it comes down to size, and Howl likes to go big, with pieces regularly eclipsing nine feet in one dimension or another. Sharing a gallery with other artists would leave room for only or two of these to show, whereas at her opening reception (including both the studio and gallery) Howl will show at least 30 pieces. Not all will be large-scale, but many will be. Having a dedicated gallery also allows Howl to showcase her varying output, moving deftly from one subject, style or school to the next as the will takes her.

No fear. No rules. Those are the only rules of Howl’s studio, which will also be open to the public this Friday. “I am blessed with so many ideas and so few rules,” she says, “that I will try anything.” Oftentimes she approaches the canvas without a single idea or concept, simply picking a color and beginning the exploration. It’s a “no-thought process,” Howl says, where she can explore other worlds and “something from deep within” flows through her fingers to the canvas. Hours will pass. Howl will not notice. “Sometimes I don’t recollect painting a painting,” she says. “I don’t consciously do it; I just do it.”

But opening her gallery and studio in the Rosemary District most certainly was a conscious decision. A fierce proponent of the area, Howl hopes to see the neighborhood continue its upward trajectory, and that maybe the gallery can help. “I love that the people who live here are all joining together,” she says. “We want it edgy. We want it creative. We want it fun, walkable and a safe place for people to venture.”

Grace Howl Contemporary Art Studio & Gallery opens this Friday at 419 Central Ave., Sarasota, with a reception at 5:30pm. 

Pictured: Grace Howl in front of her work, "Untitled." Photo courtesy of Grace Howl.

More high school students are embracing USF Sarasota-Manatee.

“We have new academic programs, facilities and scholarship opportunities that have helped attract new students,” says Andrew Telatovich, director of admissions and financial aid.

USFSM’s total student population grew 3 percent this past fall to 2,127. Much of that came from increases in freshman and transfer students. USFSM’s freshman population hit a peak this year with 110 new students – 26 percent more than last fall.

Meanwhile, our population of transfer students – students from other colleges and universities – rose 13 percent this fall to 401, helping to pave the way toward an impressive jump in overall enrollment.

Much of the credit for the growth must go to USFSM Admissions officials, who are working harder than ever to spread the word to local high schools and elsewhere about everything USFSM has to offer, including new programs and facilities, such as its teaching labs at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota.

Also in recent years, the campus has added a College of Science & Mathematics, a $1.6 million Student Commons – with a fitness center and student lounge – and, this fall, a new campus café with a fresh, made-to-order menu and free coffee for students.

All of these changes and several others are helping to draw attention to our campus.

“The quality of education students receive on our campus, the small classroom environment, and affordability make USFSM a great option as we become more well-known as a four-year campus,” says Telatovich. 

USF Sarasota-Manatee

The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation has announced that John Annis will join the foundation team on Jan. 1, as senior vice president of collaboration and impact. Barancik Foundation, a private foundation serving Sarasota, has awarded $27 million in grants since its 2014 inception. Annis has served as senior vice president for community investment at Community Foundation of Sarasota County since 2012.  Previously, he worked at Collins Center for Public Policy as vice president of public policy. From 2002 to 2010, he worked for Herald-Tribune Media Group as director of customer services and was a member of both the executive team and editorial board. The majority of John’s professional experience comes from more than 24 years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. 

The Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation

Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Doctors Hospital of Sarasota have each received an “A” for patient safety, according to Leapfrog Group’s latest hospital safety report card. This is the third time in a row that Sarasota Memorial has participated in Leapfrog’s national safety survey and received back-to-back A’s for preventing medical errors, infections and other harms. For Doctors Hospital, it is the eighth consecutive time. Developed under the guidance of a Blue Ribbon National Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Most local hospitals received “C” grades. SMH and Doctors Hospital are two of 832 across the nation that received A’s. 

The Leapfrog Group

Gulf Coast Community Foundation has awarded the State College of Florida Foundation $10,000 for Gator Engineering at SCF and its Gator Den at SCF Venice. The Gator Den is a dedicated space for engineering students to study, collaborate and seek the guidance of an SCF advisor as needed. Gator Engineering, a signature SCF Venice program, develops pathways for students to be admitted to the University of Florida’s (UF) Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering while starting their education at SCF. The students take their coursework at SCF until they complete their necessary math and science classes and then move to the UF campus to continue their engineering education. The program, with its smaller class sizes and supportive cohort of fellow students, offers advantages to ensure student success. As part of the concierge services, students receive dedicated support with an SCF advisor and access to UF departmental advisors. The Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s grant award allows SCF to help students excel in this rigorous coursework. The Gator Den includes real-time video conferencing space which allows for frequent access to UF resources. 

Gator Engineering

CareerEdge Funders Collaborative has announced the completion of another express training course with the graduation of 16 individuals in Manatee Technical College’s pilot program in Plumbing and Electrical service. Given the high demand for skilled workers in the region, CareerEdge is partnering with local educational institutions to provide short-term programs in order to quickly move individuals into apprenticeship-based occupations in the trades. CareerEdge partnered with Manatee Technical College on the Plumbing and Electrician programs by helping to recruit individuals, providing funding for the courses and offering a soft skills training for the students. Graduates of the three-month program receive certifications in the following industry-recognized credentials: NCCER, CPR, Forklift and OSHA. Starting wages for these entry-level plumbing and electrical technician positions are approximately $15 per hour, with average wages between $40,000 and $50,000. At the end of the program, CareerEdge organized a job fair with 10 local employers participating in the recruitment of the students. The next cohort of express programs will begin in January 2018, with a daytime Plumbing class and an evening Electrical course. 

Manatee Technical College

“JPan has the best sushi in town.” —  Elli Baldwin. Will JPan re-claim the top spot again this year or will local favorites and last year’s runners up Pacific Rim, Yume or Tsunami take the throne? Weigh in below to share your favorite Local Sushi in SRQ Magazine's 2018 Best of SRQ Local Readers Competition. 

Vote Here!