This time last year, Linda Richichi was sitting outside in the pouring rain, painting on the corner of Main Street and Palm Avenue with two stolid compatriots at her side, each pitting pigment against precipitation. Sisyphean? Sure. A little mad? Perhaps. But the elements are an accepted hazard of plein air painting and Richichi, a Signature Member and Florida Ambassador for the International Plein Air Painters, wasn’t about to miss the organization’s annual Great Worldwide Paint Out—that one time a year when all similarly mad paint-slingers take their canvases outside and celebrate the plein air tradition together as a global whole. Still, as the 21st Great Worldwide Paint Out hits this Saturday at Bayfront Park, Richichi can’t help but hope for better weather and a bigger turnout.

Running from 9am to 11am this Saturday by Marina Jack’s, the rules to participate in the Great Worldwide Paint Out are pretty simple: there really aren’t any. A free and open community event, anyone and everyone with the urge to try their hand at a little plein air creation is invited to bring their easel down to Bayfront Park and join the artists for however long or little as they please. “No sign up; just show up,” says Richichi. And you don’t even have to paint. Doodle, sketch, draw in the dirt with a stick—just be sure to hang around for the group photo afterward. The only real rule is the unspoken rule of all such events: Don’t be a jerk.

Of course, even non-jerks might ask: Why paint outside in generally-unpredictable-but-predictably-too-hot Florida weather, when we’ve got these things called air conditioning and mini-fridges? For Richichi, noted non-jerk and member of the International Plein Air Painters since 2011, when she traveled to the Ontario home of IPAP’s founder for her first 10th Great Worldwide Paint Out and promptly won Best In Show, the answer is as simple as it is uncompromising. “When you’re outside, you actually see truer colors,” she says. More than that, she says, the art of painting is about more than just what you see, but what you feel. And photographs make her feel almost nothing. “A photograph is only what you see,” says Richichi. “It doesn’t include your emotions or how the space made you feel. But if you’ve ever taken a walk in nature, you can feel the energy.”

Gathering at Bayfront Park, Richichi hopes that all who attend can find something to energize them, regardless of skill level or subject of interest. With ocean waves and boats in one direction, people at the park in another, yachts one way and the architecture of the city behind them, options abound for scenes and studies of all sorts. But for plein air beginners, Richichi does recommend perhaps starting with a sketchbook and pen or colored pencils. “Keep it simple,” she says, as painting outside requires either a careful setup or a lot of juggling, which can be frustrating even in a circus town. As for Richichi, she’ll be posting up with her paints by the little boats next to Marina Jack’s, trying to capture those true colors. “And the colors are different every time,” she says.

The 21st Great Worldwide Paint Out hits Bayfront Park this Saturday, 9am-11am. 

Pictured: Street Life, oil on canvas, by Linda Richichi. Photo courtesy of the artist.

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“When I was in graduate school at UT-Austin for architecture, I was taking this drawing class and became obsessed with trying to draw the thinnest, most powerful line that I could draw,” says Stephen Balut. “I found a spool of thread somewhere in my apartment and thought if I could just drape this thread over the paper I could achieve my goal and I did–it had a very remarkable power in a small space.”

Fast forward 17 years and Balut, now a full-time architect and Studio Director for MHK Architecture’s Sarasota office, is still playing with string. Only now, Balut does it in a much more complex, nuanced way. An architect by day and artist by night, Balut has been developing a series of paintings called String Theory, some of which are now showing at the State of the Arts Gallery in downtown Sarasota. Balut’s paintings operate in the world of abstraction–painted canvases are strategically wrapped in up to 50 layers of differently colored string or yarn, creating a three dimensional piece of scaleless complexity. Many of the paintings are inspired by the colors and environment of the Gulf Coast. Some, like Siesta Strings evoke infinite seascapes, while others like Wisping Ether are a reaction to Balut’s experience of last year’s Hurricane Ian.

“I use anything that is tensile to wrap my canvases–from various yarns to kite string to fine threads to monofilament–which is what artists call fishing line because I suppose fishing line doesn’t sound cool enough,” says Balut with a chuckle. “Not only do the compositions become deep and rich with complexity and color, but when you light them properly there are thread shadows that appear on the canvas and create an even further level of depth that is quite subtle and powerful at the same time.”

The product that Balut creates now is the result of years of laborious experimentation. The paintings themselves are so vastly detailed that they can take weeks at a time to create. By expertly layering string and acrylic paint, Balut can achieve a subtle version of the lenticular effect–one piece can appear quite different when viewed from a 45 degree angle as opposed to straight on. Despite how labor intensive and complex his art can be, Balut is still drawn to creating, time and time again. “I love the feeling of when I finish a painting,” says Balut. “There’s a tremendous amount of satisfaction that comes from creating something beautiful.”

State of the Arts Gallery, 1525 State St, 941-955-2787.

Pictured:Stratospheric, Acrylic, Yarn, String, Thread and Nails on canvas. 60" x 48". 2023, by Stephen Balut.

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“Enjoy The High Life, The Real Life, But Never Medium Life.”

If you're looking for a luxury experience in the heart of downtown Sarasota, look no further than The Sarasota Modern. This gorgeous 89-room boutique hotel is located in the Rosemary District, in the heart of the arts district, downtown attractions, and some of Sarasota's most popular restaurants - including its own, Wink Wink Modern Lounge. Its expansive pool deck is equipped with a cold plunge, hot tub, and resort-style pool so you can relax while enjoying plenty of fresh air and sunshine. The Modern also offers a variety of fantastic venues for creatives, entrepreneurs and groups seeking an authentic, inspiring setting for all events and meeting desires. Whether you're staying here with your family, joining us for business or as part of a romantic getaway with your significant other, there are plenty of ways to customize your trip. Whether you want to stay in the exclusive 1800 square-foot Rosemary Suite or add some extra amenities like a romantic dinner at Wink Wink Modern Lounge—The Sarasota Modern has got you covered!

The Sarasota Modern Website: https://www.thesarasotamodern.com

Wink Wink Modern Lounge Website: https://www.winkwinklounge.com

Link to Resort Pass for Sunday Funday Tickets: https://www.resortpass.com/hotels/the-sarasota-modern 

Key Chorale, the Suncoast’s premier symphonic chorus, first concert of the season is “Tango” on September 23, 4 PM at Church of the Palms in Sarasota. Billboard Top 10 Duo Ben &; Winnie join the 100+ voices of Key Chorale to celebrate the passion and sizzle of the Argentine Tango. Bandoneonist Ben Bogart, pianist Winnie Cheung, and four traditional tango dancers take you to the streets of Buenos Aires. Together they present Martín Palmeri’s Misatango, a Latin mass incorporating the harmonies, rhythms, and sensual qualities of the tango. Soloists Amy Connours and Stephanie Jabre add their vocal sparkle to the dance. Key Chorale will be joined by a string quintet, piano, and the bandoneon, a button-accordion that has become synonymous with the tango. Tango was born in the 1880s. It grew out of the lower-class dance halls and brothels of Buenos Aires. Tango combined African and South American styles with European influences and reached the height of its popularity in the 1940s. Today, it is still one of the most popular dances and is celebrated worldwide for its fire and passion. “Duo Ben & Winnie are masters in taking the raw energy and intricacy of a tango orchestra and distilling it down into exciting and imaginative duo arrangements,” says Artistic Director, Joseph Caulkins. “The featured work on this program is one of my all-time favorites. It is Misa a Buenos Aires (or, as its popularly known, Misatango) by Argentine composer Martín Palmeri. Palmeri takes the traditional Latin mass text and infuses it with the tango. It was premiered in 1996 by the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba and since then has been performed in cities throughout the world.” The six movements of Misatango are scored for traditional tango orchestra and will also incorporate four traditional tango dancers. The movements of the mass will be interspersed throughout the program with traditional tangos in between by composers like Astor Piazzolla, Rosita Melo, and Osvaldo Pugliese. World-renowned dancers and choreographers Fernanda Ghi and Silvio Grand, and Junior Cervila and Guadalupe Garcia, who are considered one of the most explosive tango couples on the scene, will be joining Key Chorale for this concert experience. To purchase tickets to “Tango” or to buy a season subscription, visit www.keychorale.org or call 941-552-8768 to reserve the best seats and to take advantage of additional savings. 

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The Players begins a new season with a new series in a new performance space! Inclusions by Joseph Allen Smith runs Sept. 8-10 and 15-17, 2023 starting off the new Sidebar Series in The Players Black Box space, inside The Players Studio (1400 Blvd. of the Arts, Suite 200, Sarasota, FL 34236.) This production stars Blake Walton and deals with the universally suffered theme of grief. In an intimate Black Box setting located at the Players Studio in the Rosemary District, the Sidebar Series includes shows that fall off the beaten path and are designed to intrigue and engage audience members. Carefully curated by Artistic Director, Steven H. Butler, the stories are chosen to reflect on the fragility of the human condition. Synopsis: Ralph and Louise are in their 60s. They have been married for 37 years. They have no children. They are retired and lead a quiet life. They never talked about what life would be like after, you know, it happens … But it happened. And now, three years later, Ralph is still struggling with widowhood and the consequences of past decisions. In this one-man show, Ralph tells the story of a very special ring.

Sept. 8-10 and 15-17, 2023, Fri..-Sat. at 7:30pm, Sun. at 2pm, 1400 Blvd. of the Arts, Suite 200, Sarasota. 

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A harmonious fusion of art and community is on the horizon, as four cornerstone museums of St. Petersburg, led by the distinguished Imagine Museum, join forces for Arts Alive: Free Museum Day on September 23, 2023. Facilitated by the St. Pete Arts Alliance, this initiative invites locals and tourists to immerse themselves in the city's rich cultural fabric, emphasizing St. Petersburg’s commitment to its residents and its legacy. In the heart of St. Petersburg, the Imagine Museum will unveil its contemporary glass art, each piece echoing tales of creativity, history, and shared experiences. This event is not just an artistic endeavor, but a call to action for the community to connect, engage, and celebrate their shared heritage and future. Journalists, bloggers, and influencers across print, digital, and television platforms should keep an eye out for: Community Chronicles: Engage with local artists, leaders, and community members for firsthand accounts of St. Petersburg's evolving cultural narrative; Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses: Explore the meticulous planning and vision behind the timed entry system, ensuring every visitor has a curated and intimate experience; Retail Reverie: Dive into the histories of select retail items, showcasing a blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design; Local Flavors: Highlight the partnership with local vendors for refreshments, each offering a taste of St. Petersburg’s diverse culinary essence. In a time where community means more than ever, St. Petersburg's iconic institutions are rising to the occasion, offering a day of unity, education, and celebration. We're extending an invitation to media outlets of all formats to capture this community-driven event and share its essence with audiences everywhere. Join Us, Document the Day, and Celebrate St. Petersburg's Legacy!

September 23, 2023, 1901 Central Ave St. Petersburg, FL. 

To reserve your spot click here

FINTASTIC FLAIR | Fin Pin Shop, owned by entrepreneurs Yasmin Greene and Jacklyn Gerakios, finds the fun in ocean conservation, September 2023. 

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