Near 35 third grade students from Alta Vista Elementary School stepped out of the classroom and into the studio yesterday—three studios, to be exact—thanks to a new arts program from Any Given Child Sarasota called “Paint. Print. Dance.” Dividing into three groups, the students spent the afternoon exploring three different types of art—printing, painting and dance—with visits to Alfstad& Contemporary, Grace Howl Contemporary Art and Gallery and Sarasota Contemporary Dance for all, where professional artists awaited with exercises and encouragement.

At Alfstad& Contemporary, Studio Manager Chris Schumaker stood amongst the current exhibit with a special screenprinting station set up in the middle of the floor. Surrounded by inquisitive faces, he explains the difference between a print and a painting, how each can be valuable and how they can make their own print right there. “Does anyone want to try?” he asks, and hands shoot into the air. “I think we’re going to need a line,” he says. Under his guidance, each student tries their hand with the squeegee, making their own prints on material supplied by the gallery, that the students take home at the end of the day.

Just down the road, with balloons floating out front to welcome the day’s visitors, Grace Howl gives a group of students an introduction to abstraction and playing with color. With three stainless steel tables arranged across the room, each student has a workstation complete with a canvas square, a paper plate palette, a paintbrush and a whole array of paints and carven cork stamps. Howl makes her interference “as minimal as possible,” she says, simply asking the children to paint what feels right and listen to their emotions. Standing under a sign reading “No Fear. No Rules,” Howl adds some final wisdom—“Have fun.”

At the third stop, everyone gets a workout. Because on the top floor of Sarasota Contemporary Dance, company member Benjamin Howe leads his young charges through exercises in creative movement. Forming three lines at the end of the room, Howe challenges the students to embrace the silly side while appreciating the versatility of the body. Make circles as you dance across the room, he tells them, showing them all the different ways to make circles with arms and legs and hips. At his signal, many of them decide to roll across the floor. The exercises continue, and so does the laughter, echoing off the ceiling as the kids bounce off the walls. In the end, they divide into pairs to create their own dance move, before convening in a great circle to show off their creation.

“Art is an essential component of learning,” says Brian Hersh, program director for Any Given Child, who hopes this will be the first of many chances for students to jump into the studio and get their hands (and feet) a little dirty. “That’s aways the objective,” he says. “How do you create more opportunities and collaboration?” 

Pictured: Alfstad& Contemporary Studio Manager Chris Schumaker leads Alta Vista students in a silkscreen workshop. Photo by Phil Lederer.

The artists of Southern Atelier Center for the Arts have taken over the artist’s nook in Art Ovation Hotel this past week, and stay in residence through the end of Saturday for anyone looking to learn a little bit more about the school and the training it offers. With easels, charcoals and oils laid out (not to mention some dropcloth to protect the Art Ovation floors), the varied students of Southern Atelier will be creating live each day in front of hotel guests and passersby, and welcoming all comers to explore their own creative side.

Founded by Charles Miano, the Southern Atelier focuses on classical training, with an emphasis on the fundamentals. For Li Volk, a Southern Atelier student of two years and now executive director, that discipline, as opposed to the freewheeling but aimless creativity she sees often endorsed by instructors, made all the difference. Pivoting from a career in marketing, she picked up the paintbrush. “Everybody has this dream,” she says, but not everyone takes the plunge.

But many do, and Southern Atelier students range from a rising senior at Pine View School to a retired elderly gentleman looking to explore his artistic side in his golden years. One student even chose Southern Atelier instruction over attending a master’s program after graduating from New College of Florida. “If you want to be a serious artist,” says Volk, “you need to have fundamentals.”

Also fundamental to the Southern Atelier method is the belief that art can be available to anyone, and anyone can be an artist. More important than innate talent or experience, says Volk, is patience and a desire to learn. “Everyone can paint. Everyone can draw,” she says. “Everyone can be trained.”

In that spirit, for the last two days of their residency in Art Ovation Hotel, the artists of Southern Atelier look to set up a still-life table full of supplies for passersby who feel the urge to try their hand at some spontaneous creation. “Something triggers,” says Volk, “and people want to take the step.” 

Pictured: Li Volk (center right) and the students of Southern Atelier in the artist's nook at Art Ovation Hotel. Photo courtesy of Southern Atelier.

Local partygoers, eat your heart out at Pier 22’s landmark venue located in historic downtown Bradenton and nestled right on picturesque Manatee River. The newly renovated grand ballroom hosts a magical destination for couples dreaming of a waterfront celebration for their wedding. You and your guests can look forward to imaginative culinary artistry coupled with an unforgettable seaside atmosphere. The beautiful space located on the second floor, evokes a sense of sophisticated character, Old Florida elegance and rich design executed in wainscotting, a suspended ceiling, newly installed downlighting and sound-absorption drapery. All nine Spanish-style windows were also restored, updating the already sweeping vistas out back. The choice to maintain much of the 1920s Spanish design elements works in its favor, providing the ballroom with a charming personality, while the neutral color palette and high-toned decor throughout give the space a universal appeal. Beyond its new look, modern conveniences have been put in place as well to make it the ideal setting for entertainment. With floating bars, a removable dance floor, a 6-foot projector screen/HDMI hookups, room partitions in play and ample space for seating arrangements, your event becomes a seamless and impeccably run experience.

“In the planning stages we knew that we wanted to create a room that had character, while also offering guests a fresh space for creating one-of-a-kind functions," says General Manager and Chef Greg Campbell. The grand ballroom’s onsite culinary team is directed by award-winning Chef Campbell himself—creating a high-caliber, all-inclusive dining venue for all your wedding needs. You and your beau can look forward to designing your own menu and even designing a signature cocktail—all to fit your schedule and budget, while incorporating fresh seasonal ingredients, catering to special dietary needs and maintaining exquisite food presentation. This upcycled space proves a real gem for spoiling guests with unsurpassed service, food, ambiance and gorgeous Gulf Coast sunsets. 

Find the spirit of Southern Hospitality exemplified with each bride and groom assigned their own professional event coordinator that will walk them through space planning, event design and decor, and day of organization. Experienced event planners are always on hand, so if you're looking to schedule a tour of the renovated ballroom or any of the five private event spaces, call Pier 22 Special Events at 941-748-8087. Pier 22 is a member of Nosh, SRQ Magazine's content marketing program for local restaurants. 

Image courtesy of Pier 22.

1200 1st Ave. W., Bradenton.

The Florida Counties Foundation (FCF) recently presented Manatee County Commissioner Charles Smith with the Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) designation following completion of a comprehensive study program developed by the Foundation. Commissioner Smith was one of 10 county commissioners to receive the designation during an awards ceremony held at the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Annual Conference in Orange County last month. The ACC education program is an advanced leadership program designed for graduates of the Certified County Commissioners (CCC) program. The course focuses on leadership with an emphasis on the future of Florida. Participants are tasked with preparing for the future by thinking and acting anew and asserting skillful leadership in times of daunting challenges and rapid change. 

Manatee County Government

Murray Devine, the manager of communications and marketing for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, has been selected as a member of Leadership Florida Connect Class IX. Devine joins up to 45 other young emerging leaders chosen from across the state to participate in this statewide resource for educating, engaging and inspiring Florida’s top young professionals. Leadership Florida Connect classes are determined annually following a highly selective application process open to leaders age 25-39 from throughout Florida representing multiple industries and sectors. The program comprises five sessions over a nine-month period in different locations throughout the State. Since 2014, Devine has been responsible for independently managing the communications, marketing, and branding efforts of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which last year awarded more than $33 million in grants and scholarships. He serves on the board of the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida PR Association and the Sarasota Young Professionals Group. Devine was awarded the 2017 Young Professional of the Year Award by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, the Thomas Nunan Rising Star award by the Florida PR Association and was named as one of the “30 Under 30” by SRQ magazine. 

Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Legacy Hotel and IMG Academy will be hosting a Legacy Hotel & IMG Academy Operations Career Fair this July 19, and currently have more 75 open full-time and part-time positions. On Thursday, July 19, from 10am to 3pm at IMG Academy Field House. The below departments will be represented: Legacy Hotel, Food & Beverage, Accommodations/Housekeeping, Grounds, Campus Safety, Transportation and Operations/Maintenance. To register, visit the website below. 

Legacy Hotel & IMG Academy Operations Career Fair

GATES Construction has announced the addition of Steve Davis as senior superintendent. Davis is responsible for daily onsite supervision of GATES’ projects, including quality control, safety, security, project close out and transition planning. Davis has over 30 years of construction experience with a wide variety of project types. With experience in high security, government and federal projects, Davis’ additional works include multi-family, hospitality, healthcare construction and much more. Davis will be based out of GATES Construction’s Headquarters in Bonita Springs. 

GATES Construction