Art Venti refers to himself as a limb-walker. One look at his work justifies the label. His large, surreal mindscapes allude to real-life patterns and objects without ever confirming or denying any resemblance. Fantastical, dreamy, sublime sometimes bordering on grotesque, they reflect Venti’s willingness to inch further out on the limb of creation, rendering shapes and tableaus plumbed straight from the deep ether of his imagination. “In the end, my goal is to come up with something completely new to excite the viewer,” he says. 

And beginning yesterday with an opening reception at Art Center, Sarasota can gaze upon Venti’s work and take a deep dive into the artist's impossibly detailed colored-pencil pieces.

“Tranquil Veil (Ocean’s Sorrow),” arguably his exhibition’s feature piece, measures 52 inches by 78 inches, totaling over 24 square feet of meticulous work with frequently sharpened colored pencils. The result is nearly an entire universe in which the viewer can get lost—there’s kelp, sort of; coral, maybe; jellyfish, in a way; sea anemones, in spirit. “That piece took me over a year to do,” he says, but it’s the patience and attention to detail that energizes him. “Colored pencils aren’t really as respected as other mediums,” he says, “but they just check so many boxes for me and encompass so much of what I value in art and in life.” 

Born in New York, Venti pursued music, art and all manner of mind-expanding activities while living in California. After a several-year stint in England, Venti and his wife wanted to find a city steeped in art that didn’t cost an arm and a leg to live in. And after moving to Sarasota in January of last year, it didn’t take long for his colorful work to find an audience. “My wife encouraged me to submit one of my pieces for a juried show at Art Center,” he says, “and I ended up winning; so, it’s nice to get a good start in a new city.”

And Venti’s start coincides with another recent transplant to the area, the Art Center’s new director, Kinsey Robb. “I think we’ve got a really great mix for this round of exhibitions,” says Robb, “but Venti’s work is really interesting, the way he renders things that are surreal but still look like they might exist somewhere.”

Other exhibitions for this round include a collection of works from members of Petticoat Painters and a juried exhibition of figure drawings. “I’m really excited to jump into the Fall season with my highly motivated team,” says Robb, “and I’m looking forward to sharing this round with the Sarasota community.”

All three exhibitions run through October 2. Learn more here. 

Photo courtesy of the artist and Art Center Sarasota

Ten films and filmmaking teams have been selected for the South Arts 2021-2022 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. This long-running South Arts program connects US-based documentary filmmakers with communities throughout the South to share their work, discuss the art and process of filmmaking, and engage with audiences about issues impacting their communities. WSLR will be one of 24 organizations throughout the Southeast presenting the films. “This year’s selections broach a range of important, timely topics including border and immigration issues, confederate monuments, healthcare justice, and domestic violence,” said Teresa Hollingsworth, program director.  

All films will be screened online for audiences, with each screening followed by a pre-recorded 30-minute conversation with the filmmakers discussing their film's subject matter and the filmmaking process. Each film will be available for attendees to view on demand during a four-day window allowing viewers to stop and resume at their leisure. Those who wish to attend an online or in-person screening can visit wslr.org/film for more information. 

The first in-person screening will be for the film ‘Stateless’ on Tuesday, September 14 at 7 pm at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center. This new film from Michele Stephenson, the critically acclaimed filmmaker of “American Promise,” looks at the complex politics of immigration and race in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, using a combination of magical realism and hidden camera techniques. A panel discussion following the film will feature Hugo Viera-Vargas, an Assistant Professor of Caribbean and Latin American Studies and Music at New College of Florida and Margie Wine from the Margwine Organization, our local nonprofit partner.

Tickets for the in-person screening are $10 and proceeds will be split with the Margwine Organization to benefit relief efforts in Haiti. WSLR will also be collecting disaster relief the night of the screening. For a list of appropriate items, visit wslr.org/event/stateless 

Being a runner half my life gives me great admiration for ultrarunners.  Sure I’ve logged two marathons and fifty-odd half marathons, but never 100 milers.  But J. M. Thompson has, many times over.

Thompson’s memoir wasn’t written with any braggadocio since running was more a life jacket which literally saved his marriage (and probably life) from his destructive drug and alcohol problems and numerous suicide attempts.

What makes Thompson’s tell-all different from your garden variety drug survival book, is twofold.  First, his catalyst to get help were the gaping holes of childhood beyond his memory’s grasp, interesting to both those who can and can’t relate. The answer to this mystery is something I’ll save for you to discover upon reading.  Second, Thomspn’s ability to describe the sensations of runner’s high and the synchronicity felt with nature are both poetic and unique. Thompson’s organizational framework is planetary, weaving in astronomy and Greek mythology to help understand the many slip-ups and stages of his progression.      

This book is perfect for anyone interested in substance abuse recovery or the miracles that years of counseling resilience can reap.  

Running is a Kind of Dreaming: A Memoir (ISBN:  9780062947079) is available now for pre-order at shopsarasotabooks.com, or in-person starting on October 5 at BookStore1, located at 12 S. Palm Ave.  Sarasota.   

In DiVosta’s Talon Preserve, homebuyers will soon discover a grand new amenity campus destined to become the social hub of the sought-after Palmer Ranch community. The new, resort-inspired amenity campus is now underway, with anticipated completion in Summer 2022. Talon Preserve’s amenity campus is designed to elevate its residents’ active lifestyle. Offering an array of social, recreational and fitness opportunities, the centerpiece of the campus will be a resort-style beach entry pool with rock waterfall feature, an expansive pool deck with chaises and umbrellas for lounging in the sun, and a convenient full-service outdoor bar and grill. Resort amenities will also include a splash pad and a beautiful spa overlooking the lake.

The 18,880-square-foot clubhouse will offer a state-of-the-art fitness center with cardio and weight training equipment, a performance training room, and a group fitness studio to practice aerobics, yoga or Pilates. Gathering rooms for clubs and activities, an arcade, and a welcoming social lounge will encourage conversation and camaraderie, while a community room complete with a catering kitchen will be available for larger group events. Talon Preserve’s amenity campus will also serve up court sports in style, with eight pickleball courts, four bocce courts, and two tennis courts. A playground for children and a firepit with comfortable seating will round out the campus amenity offerings.

“A team of the areas’ best planners, architects and designers have come together to create something truly unique for Talon Preserve. This sprawling amenity campus redefines resort living,” said Josh Graeve, vice president of sales for PulteGroup’s Southwest Florida Division. “Our residents are especially excited about the outdoor bar and grill overlooking the pool, and the numerous fitness and sports court options to stay healthy.”

Blending an active community and resort lifestyle with a sought-after Palmer Ranch address, Talon Preserve is a popular choice for today’s Sarasota homebuyer. The community offers a collection of 16 stunning new villa and single-family home designs starting from $300,000s. At build-out, the community will offer approximately 926 residences. Five beautifully furnished model homes available for touring showcase the innovative new architectural styles, exterior colors and home designs that await at Talon Preserve. 

Talon Preserve on Palmer Ranch is located at 6248 Grande Talon Lane in Nokomis off Honore Ave. For more information, visit TalonPreserve.com. 

Rendering image: Currently under construction, Talon Preserve’s resort-worthy amenity campus will encourage an active lifestyle

Sarasota-based shade structure manufacturer Apollo Sunguard has appointed Ernesto De Oliveira to Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Vice President of Engineering. The appointment is part of the company’s succession planning and growth strategy for expanding its market share in the shade and electric vehicle (EV) charging station industries. Kevin Connelly, President of Apollo Sunguard, says, “Ernesto has more than 25 years of specialized experience in the field of permanent shade and tensile membrane structure and a thorough understanding of our customers’ needs for shade solutions in response to global warming and urban heat islands. He is uniquely positioned to serve as COO of Apollo Sunguard and run the company’s operations.”

Apollo Sunguard was selected last year by the City of Sarasota's Parks and Recreation department to install new shade sails at the Lido Beach concession area. Other projects completed by Apollo Sunguard in the Sarasota area include shade installations at Nathan Benderson Park, Ed Smith Stadium, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and Centennial Park in downtown Venice. Their shades can also be seen at numerous schools and parks throughout Sarasota County and the State of Florida. 

The City of Sarasota will host three community meetings to welcome input on infrastructure projects for the continuation of the countywide Penny Sales Tax. Residents are invited to suggest infrastructure projects during the following public listening sessions:

• Wednesday, September 15, 6 pm – 7:30 pm at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34^th St.

• Thursday, September 16, 6 pm – 7:30 pm at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex, 2650 Waldemere St.

• Wednesday, October 6, 6 pm – 7:30 pm at City Hall Annex – SRQ Media Studio, 1565 First St.

The Sarasota County Penny Sales Tax, also known as the sales surtax, surtax, or one cent tax, is a countywide voter-approved one percent sales tax used to invest in local infrastructure improvements, including parks, libraries, schools, sidewalks, police vehicles, street resurfacing and mobility upgrades. Sarasota County voters approved the Penny Sales Tax in 1989 and again in 1997 and 2007. The current surtax expires at the end of 2024. Voters throughout Sarasota County will have an opportunity in November 2022 to continue the Penny Sales Tax for another 15 years to fund local infrastructure projects. 

Proceeds from the sales tax are distributed among Sarasota County, Sarasota County Schools, cities of North Port, Sarasota and Venice, and the Town of Longboat Key, with 25 percent conveyed to the school district and 75 percent to the county and municipalities. Over 20 percent of the Penny Sales Tax revenue is generated through tourist and visitor spending in Sarasota County. The Penny Sales Tax referendum in November 2022, Surtax IV, will include a slate of proposed projects to enhance the quality of life in Sarasota County, the schools and individual cities.

To learn more about the Penny Sales Tax and penny-funded projects in Sarasota, visit or provide input online at SarasotaCountySurtax.net 

It's time to clean out the garage and gather discarded household items, appliances, junk, tree trimmings and other garbage as Sarasota County will hold a free community cleanup in the Laurel area from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 18. Dumpsters for residential customers will be available at the following locations: Laurel Park, 509 Collins Road, Nokomis and Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 506 Church St., Nokomis.

Hazardous waste, such as paint, oil, and gas will not be accepted at the listed locations. However, it may be taken to the Sarasota County Chemical Collection Center 8 am to 4 pm, Wednesday through Saturday. The centers are located at 8750 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota; and 250 S. Jackson Road, Venice. Electronics, appliances, computers and tires no larger than 26 X 16 will be accepted at Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. In addition, commercial printers will not be accepted.

For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000 or visit scgov.net. 

Today is the last day to nominate an individual for our 35 Under 35 Competition, an award that recognizes young professionals in the area who are leaders in their field. Nominate someone you know before midnight!

Thank you to our Presenting Partner | Fifth Third Bank