Although Alfstad& Contemporary may have closed its doors, the creative forces behind it remain in the Rosemary, as owner Sam Alfstad and studio manager Chris Schumaker redirect their energies a mere two doors down at the newly opened Alfstad& Editions. A community-minded studio and collaborative space with a special emphasis on printmaking, the versatile undertaking will offer everything from professional printing services to introductory classes—all while serving as exhibition and gathering space for creatives. “It’s all about community,” says Schumaker of this latest venture. “Everybody can learn and make a print and have fun.” And the fun begins tonight with an opening reception from 5pm to 8pm.

Featuring an exhibition of 50 framed prints, as well as a silkscreen demonstration and plenty of works on paper to sift through, Alfstad& Editions’ printmaking focus is front and center from the get-go. And equipped with silkscreens and massive digital printers and all manner of specialized equipment, the truth is that Alfstad& Editions is also itself a print shop all its own. Not merely a place to display prints, within these walls, Schumaker will pursue his own printmaking, collaborate with visiting artists, create commissioned orders and even lead introductory and safety classes for people looking to dip their toes in these inky waters. And for artists who need no introduction or assistance, the machines and space are available for rent.

In large part, that’s what it’s all about—space. Space to create and space to collaborate. Schumaker still remembers trying to make prints at home, exposing silk screens in the shower and washing them with the garden hose out back, and appreciates what it means to have dedicated space available for an aspiring artist. And with four iMac workstations and plenty of room to spare, photographers and other artists can find a place to fit in at Alfstad& Editions as well.

“It’s always a creative space,” says Schumaker. “Whether you want to paint in the courtyard out back, make a print or just talk to other creatives, this is the place.”

Alfstad& Editions opens tonight at 1421 5th Street, with a reception from 5pm to 8pm. 

Pictured: Prints on display at Alfstad& Editions. Photo courtesy of Chris Schumaker.

The Sarasota-based painter Eleanor Merritt died yesterday, sources say and the artist’s website confirms. She was 86.

Merritt left her mark on Sarasota since her arrival in the 1980s, exhibiting in group and solo shows, as well as becoming involved in the greater arts community and its administration. A longtime member of the Art Uptown artist collective, she exhibited under the big red awning on Main Street, and she showed at ArtCenter Manatee, Art Center Sarasota and Venice Art Center, where she once served as president for a time. A member of Petticoat Painters, one of the oldest continually exhibiting women’s arts groups in the country, Merritt was also the founder of Women Contemporary Artists.

She joined the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County back when it was called the Sarasota County Arts Council, and served on the board. And she served as chairman of the Public Art Committee when so many pieces of public art were installed outside area libraries in the ‘90s. Somewhere in all this, Merritt found time to sit on the board at the Ringling Museum, where she also volunteered as a docent for 25 years.

In February 2017, the Arts and Cultural Alliance hosted a retrospective exhibition of Merritt’s work, entitled Sixty Years of Painting, 1957–2017. The Center for Arts and Humanity was packed, with attendees lined up out the door, craning their necks to see the artist address the crowd. “It was very special, and empowering,” she told SRQ at the time, before cracking a joke. “I think my name’s known around town.”

Eleanor Merritt: 1933–2019. 

Pictured: Eleanor Merritt at the opening of "Sixty Years of Painting, 1957-2017" in February 2017. Photo by Michael White.

Add South African craft gin to your palate's thirsty repertoire. Inverroche Gin debuts in Florida by special request of Co-proprietor Michael Klauber of Michaels on East & Michael’s Wine Cellar—who'll be the first restaurant and retailer to offer all the artisanal spirit’s varieties to the Sunshine state.

Distilled in small batches in a custom-made copper pot still, then bottled and labeled purely by hand, Inverroche comes in three varieties Classic, Verdant and Amber—each with their own distinctive flavor profiles, but all infused with Fynbos botanicals. Haven't heard of this highly aromatic, fine-leaved flora kingdom? That's because it's only found scattered along the coastal dunes and rocky terrain of the southern tip of Western Cape. The distillery attributes its fragrantly smooth, specialty taste to hand-selected bouquets of this native flowery petal, as well as the family estate’s limestone-rich water aquifer and ancient secrets passed down over millennia. 

This exciting debut comes three years in the making, when Klauber first tasted Inverroche with his wife Terri while leading a wine-focused luxury safari journey for clients in South Africa in the summer of 2015. “Gin & Tonic is known as the cocktail of choice when on safari and we’ve been known to enjoy a classic ‘Sundowner’ cocktail with friends while leading our bi-annual Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club trips,” says Klauber. “But I’ll never forget our first sip of a Sundowner with Inverroche while visiting Londolozi Game Reserve. We knew immediately it was a special part of Africa we’d like to offer it to our friends back at home.” Since that pivotal safari ride, Klauber’s been working closely with distributors and importers the last three years to bring Inverroche to our local market. And after a stroke of Good Hope, the “crafted by nature” gin made its way to the Gulf Coast.

So let the evening beGIN with 'The Cape Town Fig Bramble'—the newest handcrafted cocktail at MOE featuring Poire Williams Liqueur, bitters, and yours truly Inverroche Amber Gin—garnished with Allspice-soaked figs and an orange twist to complement the delicate, woody finish. The Cape Town Fig Bramble is available during lunch, happy hour or dinner at the Michael’s On East Lounge or in the Restaurant’s dining rooms for $14. “Gesondheid”. 

Michael's on East, 1212 East Ave. South, Sarasota & Michael's Wine Cellar, 1283 S. Tamiami Trail, Midtown Plaza, Sarasota, 941-366-0007.

Photo courtesy of MOE

Impact 100 SRQ, a new group of local philanthropists committed to high impact strategic grant making, has announced that it has reached its first goal of raising $100,000 from 100 committed women. Sarasota and Manatee County women have banded together under this growing philanthropic movement that aims to deliver meaningful change in the Suncoast area. Currently, membership is at 107 women, with aspirations to double its membership by February 28. The idea behind Impact 100 SRQ is simple:  Encourage 100 women to donate $1,000 each, then pool those resources into one big grant of $100,000 for a qualifying non-profit in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Impact 100 SRQ has no paid employees or staff, so 100% of each member’s annual contribution is awarded to nonprofit organizations in grants of $100,000 or more. Operational costs are kept to a minimum and funded voluntarily by members and corporate supporters.

Impact 100 SRQ is hosting several upcoming events for women interested in becoming a founding member or supporter, which can be viewed at the link below. 

Impact 100 SRQ events

J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp., a Venice-based commercial construction company, was recently awarded the contract to spearhead the exterior renovation of a new 2,200-square-foot outdoor dining area for the Bird Key Yacht Club, a private yacht club located on the Sarasota Bay.

The $340,000 project is slated to start in spring 2019 with a three-month schedule to revamp the space. The construction team will demolish the existing deck and add an extension and exterior design details, including a new stainless steel railing, tile flooring throughout and updated lighting and cabinetry. A 4-inch awning system will also be installed to keep guests cooler in the summer months and warmer in the winter months. The out-of-doors seating capacity will double to approximately 60 seats. The outdoor space will feature a serving station, allowing for expedited services for its members. 

http://jecharlotte.com/