SRQ DAILY Dec 16, 2019
Monday Business Edition
"We are a place where an artist can come to develop seedling ideas go all the way to full presentation, production or gallery display."
For those who know the reputation of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, the chance to create work here isn’t something to pass up.
“It’s the kind of place that when people do know about it, if they get an invite to it, it feels like winning the Nobel Prize,” said Andy Sandberg, incoming artistic director and CEO. Indeed, the chance to run the Sarasota cultural organization is attracting the theatrical writer, director and producer from his native Manhattan to the Sarasota area. That’s no small feat considering he won a Tony for producing the 2009 revival of Hair, and who also brought a production of Gore Vidal’s The Best Man to a Broadway stage and has a producing credit for Will Eno’s new plat The Realistic Joneses.
But he acknowledges that sterling reputation remains something of a secret.
Executive Director Bruce Rodgers, who retires at the end of the year, grew the artist retreat from a seedling organization to a respected residency program for playwrights, poets, composers and artists of all disciplines.
Now, Sandberg wants to grow the notoriety of the organization, both in the international cultural community and in Southwest Florida. “The organization has grown quite rapidly,” Sandberg said. “Now it’s figuring out Phase II.”
Of course, Sandberg notes, the Retreat today doesn’t accept applications and instead has a national curatorial council invite guests.
He’d like more of the art-loving community in Sarasota aware of work done. And one of the benefits of operating the region is connection to such institutions as The Ringling and the Asolo Repertory Theatre.
“We are a place where an artist can come to develop seedling ideas go all the way to full presentation, production or gallery display,” Sandberg said.
While there’s no requirement artists who complete a residency complete a finished work when they are here, being a part of the process with help develop the broader reputation of the organization. And as more artists take work to worldwide audiences and acknowledge it premiered at, or even just had the beginnings of an idea sparked, at Hermitage, that will feed the reputation of Hermitage further. 
Sarasota County School’s instructional staff, numbering nearly three thousand strong, will receive an unexpected gift this holiday season. The Education Foundation of Sarasota County will administer a $1 million gift from local businessman Eric Baird, in the form of a $350 discretionary grant which may be used for both professional or personal purposes.
While philanthropy in the field of education is relatively common, this style of direct donation to the highly-trained professionals working in Sarasota’s classrooms in somewhat unusual. The donation, according to Baird, is made in honor of his late mother Gail, who encouraged success in others by providing them with what they needed to do their best work.
Baird tells SRQ, “My mother made me the success I am today. She was a big proponent of education and had a masters degree herself. I believe that teachers, along with parenting, provide the critical foundation for success in life.” He went on, “I recently had the idea of rewarding hard working people in professions that are under appreciated but provide tremendous value. There was no better group to begin with than teachers. What they do for our children is priceless, and I have seen it first hand with my daughter. They need to know how much they are appreciated.”
Jennifer Vigne, president of the EFSC, said the organization is excited to convey the grants to teachers as the donation’s purpose aligns with the organization’s mission, which includes promoting excellence in teaching.
The reward, which will be mailed to public school teachers by the end of the calendar year, comes just in time for both holiday expenses and 2020’s rush to restock classroom supplies.
Photo: Eric Baird poses with 2020 Teacher of the Year Heather Young
The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners selected Michael Moran, District 1, as chair and Alan Maio, District 4, as vice chair for 2020 during its annual retreat Friday. Christian Ziegler, District 2, will serve as Pro Tem. The chair presides at commission meetings. The commissioners voted to select the positions, which are effective Jan. 1. The votes were unanimous. Current chair Charles Hines, District 5, will continue serving in that role for the remainder of 2019. Moran currently serves as the vice chair.
“It’s a privilege to be selected by my colleagues to serve as chair of the board,” Moran said, adding, ” I am looking forward to guiding the board through a new year with new goals and new initiatives.”
Moran was elected to the Sarasota County Commission in 2016. His other community and civic association activities include serving as vice chair of the Sarasota County Planning Commission, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Guardian Ad Litem, and the the Southwest Florida Water Management District, among others. Moran moved to Sarasota in 2002 with his wife Lori and two children.
Registration is now open for the 31st Annual Gulf Coast Games for Life, which take place January and February at locations throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.The 2020 Gulf Coast Games for Life events are open to amateur athletes 50 years and older as of December 31, 2020. The games are a qualifying event for the Florida Senior Games State Competition, which serve as a qualifier for the 2021 National Senior Games that will be held in Fort Lauderdale. Gulf Coast Games for Life consists of 19 events beginning with the 5K Road Race on January 18, and continuing with events February 1-9. Events take place in Sarasota County, Manatee County and the City of North Port. Other events include basketball shooting, bowling, golf, pickleball, shuffleboard and more.For a full list of events or to register online visit scgov.net/parks. Additional information is also available by calling the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000.
The Palmetto Historical Park and the Manatee County Agricultural Museum will be closed for holiday break from December 23 through January 1, 2020. They will re-open on Thursday, January 2, at 10 am for their normal operating hours of 10 am to noon and 1 pm to 4 pm. Days of operation are Tuesday through Friday and the first and third Saturday of the month.
Sarasota County Sheriff candidate Colonel Kurt A. Hoffman is has announced several recent accomplishments from his campaign including endorsements from United States Congressman Vern Buchanan and United States Congressman Greg Steube. Both endorsements come on the heels of Colonel Hoffman also receiving endorsements from Florida House of Representatives members Will Robinson, Tommy Gregory, James Buchanan, and Florida State Senator Joe Gruters.Colonel Hoffman’s campaign for Sarasota County Sheriff reported $20,090 in contributions for the month of November, bringing his total monetary contributions to $105,100 to date. Thanks to strong community support, Hoffman hosted two successful fundraisers in October and November. “I am incredibly grateful for the support we received during both fundraising receptions, in addition to the more than 100 people who served on both host committees” commented Hoffman. To date, Colonel Hoffman’s campaign to be the next Sarasota County Sheriff has received contributions from more than 600 individuals and businesses.
The law firm of Blalock Walters, P.A. is pleased to announce that real estate attorney Amanda C. Tullidge has become a principal of the firm.Tullidge joined Blalock Walters in 2013 and is a member of the firm’s real estate and banking practice groups. Her practice is in commercial and residential real estate law, with a focus on commercial leasing, commercial transactions, and residential real estate.Tullidge is a Licensed Realtor, a member of Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, serves on the Manatee County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division board of directors and is a member of Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and Manatee Young Professionals. She was named Finalist for both 2019 Sarasota Young Professional of the Year and Manatee Young Professional MVP. Active in the community, Tullidge serves as board member and grants chairperson of Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation and co-founded Cheers for Charity, a women’s giving circle comprised of over 30 young professional women who raise funds for local nonprofit organizations.
Jennifer began her real estate career in the early 2000’s with a focus on residential and commercial sales. From early on she excelled, winning awards for record breaking sales numbers. She most recently worked in the corporate hotel industry as a Regional Director of Sales and Marketing. Jennifer brings more than 20 years of sales, management and leadership experience to help clients maximize the value exchange of each real estate transaction. Her proven ability to lead a team, communicate clearly and foster creative sales ideas allows her to work closely with clients to create a strategic vision to achieve their real estate and business goals.
Like a breath of fresh Alpine air, this beloved musical masterpiece sweeps onto the Asolo Rep stage just in time for the holidays. Maria, a young nun causing trouble at the abbey, is sent off to be governess to Captain Von Trapp’s seven troublesome children. She brings much-needed love and joy to the family – and the widowed captain – and transforms their world and hers through the power of music. But the looming threat of Nazi Germany’s invasion of their native Austria darkens their future. Overflowing with some of the most iconic songs of all time, this heart warming family musical will be helmed by Josh Rhodes, returning on the heels of his spectacular production of Evita in 2017.
FSU Performing Arts Center, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Born and raised in Mexico City, where he spent most of his career, Manuel Álvarez Bravo (Mexican, 1902-2002) was one of the most important figures in 20th century Latin American photography. Although he took art classes at the Academy of San Carlos, his photography was mostly self-taught, but he was savvy to the emerging international artistic avant-garde. Considered to be one of the founders of modern photography, his work extends from the late 1920s to the 1900s. He was a key figure from the period following the Mexican Revolution—often called the Mexican Renaissance—in which arts and literature flourished. This “Renaissance” owed to the happy—though not always tranquil—marriage between a desire for modernization and the search for an authentic national identity with Mexican roots, in which archaeology, history and ethnology played an important role. Support for this exhibition has been provided, in part, by the Ringling Endowment at the Florida State University Foundation. Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues.
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens lights up the holiday season with Lights In Bloom. Over two million lights will illuminate the gardens and walkways will be transformed into sensory light tunnels. Visitors will have the opportunity to stroll through magical gardens filled with beautifully lit flowers, radiant rainforest butterflies, dragonflies and more. The tropical holiday paradise includes nightly visits from Santa (before Christmas Eve), children’s arts and crafts activities and games and special entertainment. Grilled foods will be available for purchase from the Michael’s on East grill including a cash bar. The Selby House Cafe will also be open with its full menu. In its 16th year, Lights In Bloom has become a tradition for residents and visitors to celebrate the holiday season in Sarasota.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Welcoming all Veterans' Caregivers and Veterans caring for a loved one to a free lunch and monthly Caregivers Support Group every third Monday of the month. This group focuses on the Caregiver and not the patient. Julie Cook Downing, Facilitator and President of Caregivers' Comfort Creations, LLC, has over two decades of experience with both support groups and Family Caregiving.
Mindspa Integrative Wellness Center, 5632 Bee Ridge Rd #101, Sarasota, FL 34233
Concealed and Revealed offers a unique selection of paintings by the artist, along with numerous objects from the Solomon Archive on view for the first time. Syd Solomon (American, 1917-2004) described himself as an “Abstract Impressionist” alluding to the fact that his work infused impressionism into the processes, scale and concepts of Abstract Expressionism. Solomon moved to Sarasota in 1946 with his wife Annie. His was the first work of contemporary art to be collected by The Ringling in 1962. His paintings were greatly influenced by climatic factors and reveal a fascination and concern for Florida’s aquatic environment. Solomon incorporated his experience as a camouflage designer during World War II into his painting. It is not well-known that he was also an accomplished graphic artist, who in his early years designed commercial signage for prominent hotels and businesses in Sarasota. Like his work in camouflage, Solomon’s calligraphic skill was essential to the development of his later gestural abstraction.
Syd Solomon: Concealed and Revealed is presented in partnership with the Estate of Syd Solomon and is accompanied by a 96-page publication with essays by former curator at The Ringling Michael Auping, George S. Bolge, Dr. Gail Levin, and Mike Solomon. The exhibition will include artworks from private collections and The Ringling’s permanent collection.
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
Ringling by the Bay will return for 10 events November through May. We hope that you will join us on the Bolger Campiello for these fun-filled evenings with live music and dancing. Food and beverage are available for purchase on the bayfront. Limited seating is available.
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd.
A Retrospective collection, with a significant nod to music, the arts and the legacy of the Pop Art genre from the studio of artist legend, Peter Max, will be on exhibition and available for acquisition in a limited engagement presentation at Chasen Galleries, Sarasota’s premier pop art gallery. The exhibition opens with an evening preview event on Thursday, January 16, 2020 from 5-8 pm. The Exhibition extends through Sunday, January 26. Two limited engagement, not-to-be-missed Gallery receptions for the public will take place on Saturday, January 25 from 6 to 8 pm and Sunday, January 26 from 1 to 3 pm. All receptions complimentary and open to the public with RSVPs suggested; 866-900-6699.
Chasen Galleries, 1830 S Osprey Ave suite 102, Sarasota, FL 34239
Every third Monday of the month, Julie Cook Downing, President of Caregivers Comfort Creations, LLC, facilitates a Doctors Hospital Caregiver Support Group. This group focuses on the caregiver and offers a retreat from the never-ending mental and physical responsibilities of caregiving. This free, open group provides compassionate support and an opportunity to explore new solutions together to caregiver challenges. The group meets in the classroom outside of the cafeteria.
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, 5731 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, FL 34233
Each season, The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast hosts The Perlman Music Program (PMP) Sarasota Winter Residency. Founded by Toby Perlman, and with a world-renowned faculty led by her husband, internationally acclaimed violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman, PMP augments its seven-week summer school program in Shelter Island each December with a 17-day winter residency, December 21, 2019 - January 4, 2020, in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The residency provides valuable mentoring and performance opportunities for approximately 35 young international string musicians, ages 12-20+, and offers 20+ free and low-cost musical events on the campus of USF Sarasota-Manatee. Each year, the winter residency culminates with the Celebration Concert, January 4, 2020, with Itzhak Perlman conducting the PMP String Orchestra and Patrick Romano leading the PMP Chorus at the Sarasota Opera House.
USF Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 34243
The Perlman Music Program Suncoast Super Strings is presented as part of a public orchestra rehearsal during the PMP Sarasota Winter Residency. Super Strings promotes the interaction of local young musicians with international students of The Perlman Music Program and world-class faculty. Forty-five string players from across the state of Florida join the PMP String Orchestra on stage, for a special one-time PMP Sarasota Winter Residency event, to perform the 1st Movement of Felix Mendelssohn's String Sinfonia No. 2 in D Major, under the baton of Itzhak Perlman. Tickets $10 at Perlmanmusicprogramsuncoast.org
USF Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243
Ring in the New Year at the Sarasota Bayfront Midnight Fireworks Spectacular! See one of the best fireworks displays Southwest Florida has to offer. Make your reservations now by calling Marina Jack at (941) 365-4232. Proceeds benefit Suncoast Charities for Children.
Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Hermitage Artist Retreat and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory are teaming up to present an open class with renowned mime artist Bill Bowers. The class will take place Saturday, December 21, from 11 AM – 12 PM, in the Jane B. Cook Theatre at the FSU Center for Performing Arts. The workshop is free to attend but reservations must be made through the Asolo Repertory Theatre Box Office. Bill Bowers will spend a week working closely with FSU/Asolo Conservatory students, who will assist him in this hour-long workshop in the Cook Theatre. Bowers will demonstrate basic pantomime technique and perform selections from his solo plays. The students, who have been studying with Bowers, will share work from their week-long residency with him.
Jane B. Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is proud to present Sarasota’s most sophisticated and diversely entertaining New Years Eve experience; a black-tie event featuring a private journey through tropical holiday light displays, passed hors d’oeuvres, a seated four course dinner, special performances by The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company and Trainees from the Margaret Barbieri Conservatory and dancing at Michael’s on the Bay. The countdown to the New Year culminates with a champagne toast and a perfect view of fireworks overlooking Sarasota Bay. Celebrate the New Year in style.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
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