Walk through the doors of Art Center Sarasota any time between now and January 13 and find an exhibition worth exploring at every turn. To the left, find Aimee Jones’ Of Mementos and Fetishes, an irreverent and biting commentary in oils and sculpture on a culture’s love/hate relationship with the female form in a land of lust and consumption, where all the vases are vulvic and the bare-breasted Venus of Florida swims in shark-infested waters. To the right, enter the whimsical world of Ethan Fielder’s imagination with Beyond the Sidewalk, a sculptural exhibition highlighting the underappreciated aesthetic of the fire hydrant, with everything from an industrial recreation that looks like it speaks with a New York City accent to a multicolored melting hydrant that looks like something from the trippier periods of Nickelodeon animation.

And dead ahead, ensconced in the central gallery like hidden treasures lining the burial chamber of some long-dead king, hangs gestalt, a collection of impossibly intricate handmade wooden constructions from Sarasota sculptor Tom Casmer.

A year in the making, the exhibition includes the unveiling of nine new large-scale original works, in addition to nine selected from the past few years. The show also features the debut of the largest piece Casmer has ever made, a massive hexaptych construction six feet wide and nearly five-and-a-half feet tall, named MOFO, or Mechanism of Feasible Origins. Too big for Casmer’s one-car garage workspace, it was created as six separate panels, each carefully measured and crafted to interlock with its neighbors. “And that use of interior negative space was really interesting to me,” Casmer says. “I wanted to explore that, with the aligning and the shadows.” Due to its size, seeing it hang at Art Center Sarasota was the artist’s first opportunity to see the work as originally envisioned. “It had the impact I was hoping it would have,” he says. “That MOFO experience.”

Much of Casmer’s work is similarly intuitive in its creation, flowing from Casmer’s imagination and then blooming to whatever shape it needs to occupy. Only one, Provenance, is contained by any preordained border. Some stretch from floor to ceiling like totem poles from an ancient civilization, others are compact, bursting with potential energy like artifacts of alien technology. Two are free-standing; another bends at a right angle to travel along the wall as it turns a corner. All have Casmer’s trademark techno-organic texture, each a dizzying landscape of tightly organized knobs and levers and dials and doodads that flow like circuit board topography, all of it handcrafted. And one, painted bright red, is unmistakably a dude, right down to the naughty bits.

“Yeah, that’s a little guy,” Casmer says, pointing out that it has ribs and a heart too. (Though neglecting to address the fact that the whole thing retains a certain phallic shape that could arguably override his objections.) But giggling at genitalia misses the point—in a sea of sculptures that defy easy description or categorization, the presence of something so blatantly representational plants an undeniable seed, tempting the viewer to believe the other sculptures as likewise things to be deciphered.

That maybe, if one looks at the thing with just the right kind of eyes, an answer will be revealed.

Currently on display at Art Center Sarasota, gestalt runs through January 13, alongside Of Mementos and Fetishes and Beyond the Sidewalk. 

Pictured: The intricate sculptures of Tom Casmer blend the organic and the mechanical. Photo by Phil Lederer.

Florida Studio Theater has decided to extend its Winter Mainstage Series run of Little Shop of Horrors through January. 14th The hit production of the iconic 1982 horror rock comedy musical follows Seymour, a down on his luck flower shop assistant, who comes across a mysterious plant in the shape of a venus fly trap. The plant begins to attract attention from the public, bringing fortune and fame to Seymour and his co-workers at the flower shop. However, Seymour soon finds out that the plant, Audrey II, comes with a price: a carnivorous lust for blood.

“When the musical starts you’re seeing him at his lowest. He’s run out of hope and doesn’t expect much in life,” says Sam Seferian, who plays Seymour. “So the second this plant, Audrey II, is introduced into his life everything starts changing very quickly. You see his confidence grow, his relationships change, there’s a central love story with his co-worker Audrey that begins to take shape and it’s all because of this plant.”

Because of Audrey II’s bloodlust, things are not that simple for Seymour. As Audrey II begins to grow larger and larger, it demands more blood–the trickle from Seymour’s finger is no longer enough. In order for Seymour’s dreams to come true he must feed the beast, only now it comes at the expense of those around him. “You can look at the morality of Seymour’s journey which is why this musical is so interesting. Classic musical theater should always make you think, but it’s typically a little more cut and dry. It serves you the moral on a silver platter. Little Shop does not,” says Seferian. “Little Shop, while being so fun and hilarious and full of incredible music, really presents the audience with a huge moral quandary. I think that’s really exciting.”

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota. 

Pictured: Sam Seferian plays the role of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at FST. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.

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 M A R A Art Studio + Gallery presents “ChromaShock: A Modern + Vibrant Exploration,” an exhibition of work by 13 artists that pushes the boundaries of chromatic expression, inviting viewers into a mesmerizing world of vivid hues and dynamic compositions. The exhibit runs January 4-31, with an opening reception on Friday, January 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The exhibit features work by Laura Arteaga Charlton, Ralph Berger, Bill Buchman, Lori Childers, David Erdman, Christina Jensen Vicente, Midge Johnson, Pamela Olin, Julia Rivera, Ashley Rivers, Jack Shapiro, Javi Suárez and Mara Torres González. The gallery is located at 76 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota. 

 More than a decade after its founding as a creative hub for the Latino communities of Sarasota and Manatee counties, CreArte Latino Cultural Center is poised for a leap of exponential growth. A $126,000 grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation will provide the funds to launch the center’s “Fortifying CreArte” initiative, which will elevate the organization with paid professional staff, an accounting service, and more.  

Pictured: Students in an acting workshop for ages 7 to 13 at CreArte Latino Cultural Center.

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to welcome Salute to Vienna New Years Concert to Sarasota on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 7pm. Welcome 2024 with a festive, European-inspired New Year's celebration, modelled after the world-famous New Year's Concert in Vienna. With timeless music, dazzling costumes, breathtaking dance, stunning floral designs, Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert returns to Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for an unforgettable New Year’s celebration, full of old-world charm. Salute to Vienna adds a fun and festive dash of traditional European culture to the end of the holiday season. It is a smashing, authentic re-creation of the 80+ year-old Viennese Neujahrskonzert—a concert presented by the Vienna Philharmonic every New Year’s Day—beloved for its lively music and time-honoured traditions. In North America, Salute to Vienna sustains and reinvents these traditions with a frothy 2 1/4 - hour concert of dancing, duets and arias from light operettas, all narrated by a European conductor who is both talented and fun, and backed by a full symphony orchestra. Add this concert to your list of “old ways to make the holidays young again”. Salute to Vienna features selections from some of the most famous operettas: classical music’s marriage of the soap opera to the sitcom. Not as serious as opera, operettas are light, often funny, and almost always based on some combination of love lost, given and longed for, with jealousy, love triangles and obstacles thrown in the way. They are less often performed in North America than they are in Europe, so Salute to Vienna provides a great opportunity to experience highlights from some of the best, performed by some of Europe’s finest operetta singers. Whether you are sending someone or taking them to the concert, it’s an experience that will be remembered. With it taking place soon after gift-giving, it’s a great way to prolong the sense of the holiday spirit, while giving those you love the musical wish of a joyful, happy, and healthy New Year. Tickets start at $58.15 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726. Pre-show dining is available through Mattison’s at the Van Wezel which is located inside the theatre. Reservations can be made on VanWezel.org or through the box office. 

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to announce the lineup for its 2024 Stage III Series, dedicated to presenting edgy contemporary work that is challenging in content and unique in form. FST’s 2024 Stage III Series lineup features three daring plays penned by award-winning playwrights: Ugly Lies the Bone by Lindsey Ferrentino, A Night in November by Marie Jones, and The White Chip by Sean Daniels. “The 2024 Stage III Series tackles difficult subjects,” said Richard Hopkins, FST’s Producing Artistic Director. “Ugly Lies the Bone deals with overcoming personal obstacles that can appear overwhelming. A Night in November explores overcoming bigotry and hatred, and The White Chip addresses overcoming addiction. The thread that connects these three plays is that each one offers a solution to a unique circumstance, which is something that I think we are all looking for right now.” 

The Hermitage Artist Retreat announced Monday a newly added program on Friday, January 5 at 5pm on the Hermitage Beach on Manasota Key. This exciting new program will offer a glimpse into the creative process of three distinguished Hermitage Fellows in the midst of creating new work. Multidisciplinary visual artist Anne Patterson and composer Patrick Harlin will share insight into work they’ve developed at the Hermitage, as well as a “sneak preview” into their process for creating their new collaborative immersive exhibition, The Truth of the Night Sky, premiering in April of 2024 at the Ringling College of Art and Design’s Sarasota Art Museum. Before the conversation, visual and multidisciplinary artist Anthony Hawley will open his studio and share in-process works as well as selections from past creations.  After meeting while in residence at the Hermitage and continuing their collaboration, multidisciplinary visual artist Anne Patterson and composer Patrick Harlin have joined forces to develop the upcoming exhibition at the Sarasota Art Museum: The Truth of the Night Sky. Patterson, who is familiar to Sarasota audiences from previous exhibitions at The Ringling Museum and whose “Divine Pathways” is currently represented in New York at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, is widely celebrated for her grand environments that immerse the viewer and surround the senses. This original experience opening in Sarasota this spring is augmented by Harlin’s composition “Earthrise,” inspired by the revolutionary photograph taken of the Earth on humanity’s first turn around the moon in 1968. This exhibition will be on display at the Sarasota Art Museum from April 21, 2024 through September 29, 2024. 

Bradenton and Sarasota residents and fiber artists, Ellen S. Goldberg, Rebecca Levine Quigley, and Michael R. Stevenson, will be artists-in-residence at Gaze Gallery at ARCOS, 340 Central Ave, in Sarasota, January 3 to February 29. An opening reception for their exhibit, “The Beauty of Inflections and Innuendoes,” is Thursday January 18, 5-7 p.m. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and the artists will be in residence much of the time. 

Pictured: Work by Ellen S. Goldberg.

Sarasota’s Jewish community was saddened last summer when Hershorin Schiff Community Day School’s Board Chair, Mitchell Blumenthal, passed away. Upon his death, a gift already in progress – a new cover for one of Community Day’s Sefer Torahs, in honor of the school’s new campus – became a fitting and touching tribute to Mitch and all he did for the school as well as the wider community. Mitch’s parents, Richard and Barbara, commissioned the Torah cover to be created by local multimedia artist and seventh-grade language arts teacher Stephanie Cordone. The Blumenthals were like family to Cordone: they knew each other from their community back in New York and the Blumenthals inspired Cordone to move here 27 years ago. Although not Jewish herself, Cordone built a needlepoint business in New York designing and making creations such as chuppahs, bimah chairs, ark door designs, Torah covers, tallit and more for numerous temples, in partnership with various Sisterhoods. Her very first Judaic commission was making a tallis bag for Mitch in New York in 1977. After he wore his tallis to shul, the word spread throughout the congregation – and beyond – and her part-time business grew. Cordone drew her inspiration for the design of the Torah cover from the family’s love of tradition and Mitch’s well-known love of colorful fashion choices. The vibrant piece features elements such as the sun, water, Noah’s ark and various plant and animal life. In recognition of Mitch’s love of color and tie-dye, the lining of the Torah cover was made from tie-dye fabric. The Torah was first used during a touching Rosh Hashanah service at the school at which the Blumenthal family and Cordone were invited to participate.   She feels honored that the Torah will be used at Community Day, where the core values of inclusion and kindness are so central to the school’s educational philosophy. “It doesn’t matter what your background is, where you came from, what you look like or what you believe – we can all enjoy beautiful art and appreciate each other, regardless of our differences,” Cordone said. “At Community Day School, everyone is valued. That’s how I was brought up: we are all equal in the eyes of God.” Cordone will be retiring from teaching this year and looks forward to continuing her creative pursuits. For more information about Cordone’s Judaica artwork or Community Day School, call 941-552-2770, ext. 212 or visit communityday.org. 

 Clearwater Marine Aquarium announces the kick-off of an immersive virtual reality experience, "Drop in the Ocean" on Dec. 16. This interactive and social adventure takes visitors on a deep underwater journey, shedding light on the pressing issue of plastic pollution plaguing our world's oceans. "Drop in the Ocean" allows guests to ride a jellyfish up to the ocean's surface, where they will encounter a colorful array of sea creatures and tiny organisms, including micro-plankton. From coming face-to-face with a majestic leatherback turtle to exploring the vastness of the ocean alongside a magnificent whale shark, participants will gain a firsthand understanding of the urgent threat pollution poses to our planet's delicate ecosystems. The adventure begins as you and your friends are magically shrunk down to a mere 2 inches tall, hitching a ride on a jellyfish floating through the ocean. Along the way, guests will encounter an array of marine life. However, the shocking reality of plastic trash will also be revealed, highlighting the urgent need for action. Utilizing state-of-the-art virtual reality headsets, "Drop in the Ocean" offers an untethered ocean journey for up to six people at a time. Through hand movements and gestures, participants can engage with undersea organisms, fostering an interactive and collaborative environment. Avatars of other individuals in the virtual space are visible, allowing for shared experiences and interactions. Developed by Pulseworks, in collaboration with Conservation International and Vision 3, this eight-minute-long virtual reality experience is built from the extraordinary photo archive of Academy Award-winning micro-photographer Peter Parks. The narration, provided by renowned explorers Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau, adds depth and insight to the journey. Accompanied by the captivating music of Gold Panda, "Drop in the Ocean" promises to be an eye-opening experience for all. Clearwater Marine Aquarium invites visitors to dive into the world of virtual reality and join the fight against plastic pollution. "Drop in the Ocean" is a powerful tool that educates, inspires, and empowers individuals to make a difference. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the wonders of the ocean and become a champion for our planet's precious ecosystems. The cost is $12 for guests and $10 for CMA members and can be reserved online or in person.  Up to seven guests can be accommodated at one time. Guest must be 5 years old to experience this new VR experience.  

Sarasota Orchestra announced its second annual Hometown Heroes initiative that will offer a “gift of music” this holiday season to essential workers. The initiative will provide a select number of free tickets to attend a concert entitled “Cheers to the Music of Dance” for members of the Sarasota-Manatee community who work in emergency response, disaster recovery, education, healthcare and other public services. Public servants with a valid ID may reserve up to four free tickets online. The performance will take place on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at the Sarasota Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Those who work in the following fields are invited to participate: Healthcare, Education, Human Services (social work, food banks, homeless shelters, foster care, other), Law Enforcement, Active Military, Firefighters, Public Works/Utilities (power, water, waste management, other), Construction. A work-issued photo ID is required at Will Call to pick-up free tickets. This evening of music inspired by dance will have the audience swaying in their seats. Conductor Yue Bao leads Sarasota Orchestra in a program of waltzes, ballet music and more by Brahms, Gluck, Poulenc and Johann Strauss Jr. The concert, part of the Orchestra’s Discoveries series, is designed to welcome those new to classical music. The Hometown Heroes initiative is made possible by Orchestra donors and ticket buyers. Tickets for the general public start at $35. December 20, 7:30 pm, Sarasota Opera House, Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org/Heroes to register for free tickets. Valid ID required to pick up free tickets at concert. 

Join us for the inspiring stories of philanthropic work by our Sarasota and Bradenton Area's nonprofit organizations as we celebrate the season of giving. Explore ways you can make an impact through the programs of 13 of this year's SRQ Giving Champions.

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As an inclusive, cause-driven organization, YMCA of Southwest Florida is committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. YMCA programs and services are focused on our primary areas of impact that help people achieve their goals and strengthen communities. We create opportunities for people to improve their lives and their communities. Through empowering young people, improving individual and community well-being and inspiring action, we aim to create meaningful change across our communities. 

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