Sarasota Creators, Helen Sawyer
Helen Sawyer was born around 1898 in Washington DC. The daughter of painter Wells Sawyer, Helen saw success as an artist at a young age. She was only 16 years ...
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Culture Collective at Art Ovation
On Monday evening the members of our young art patrons group, Culture Collective, and the members of Sarasota Opera’s Da Capo Society took a tour of one of the exhibits ...
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Art Battle is Coming to Sarasota
Please join us for a wonderful evening of creativity and community, a live painting tournament showcasing local artists and connecting Sarasota to towns and cities around the world! Come watch ...
Read MoreCelebrate for the Arts
Full Moon Promotions is hosting a New Year’s Eve Party and the Arts and Cultural Alliance has been chosen as the Charity of Choice. This means that not only will ...
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Donate to the Arts
“We believe that the best in art comes from its appeal to the weakest and loneliest. Art that soars is not inherently valuable except that it invites the human spirit ...
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Culture Collective at Endless Forms
The Sarasota Culture Collective had the opportunity to explore Selby Gardens’ Orchid Show, Endless Forms in an exclusive after hours tour. Lead by Jeannie Perales Vice President for Museum Exhibits, ...
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Honoring Local Principals
The Arts and Cultural Alliance and the Arts Education Task Force honored Sarasota County principals today at a luncheon at Art Ovation Hotel. This year marks the 18th annual Principals ...
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2018/2019 Arts and Culture Guide
The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County and SCENE Magazine annually publish a comprehensive Arts & Culture Guide for the Sarasota County region. View and download In addition to ...
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A True Celebration
Executive Director, Jim Shirley steps to the podium to begin the program. At the Arts and Cultural Alliance we often talk about the incredible arts and culture scene that we ...
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Marcia Ashton Rader, Educator and Advocate
Image courtesy of Sarasota County Historical Records Marica Ashton Rader moved to Sarasota in 1919 and worked as the Art Supervisor of the Sarasota School System. Marcia’s strong appreciation of art ...
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Sarasota Creators
Those of us who know and love Sarasota are proud of our local arts and culture scene. We are fortunate to have arts organizations in all sizes and disciplines, quality ...
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2018 Celebration of the Arts
Join the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County for the annual Celebration of the Arts to recognize the leaders in our arts and culture community and enjoy performances from some of ...
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2018 Principals Luncheon
Tickets are now available for the 18th Annual Principals Luncheon. The Principals Luncheon provides the opportunity for us to honor Sarasota County Principals and ...
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Sarasota Public Art Scavenger Hunt
Our Sarasota Public Art Scavenger Hunt is a fun and interactive way to discover downtown and its wonderful art! 1. Choose your format. (same hunt, just your preference) Sarasota Public Art ...
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New Sarasota Keys Piano
Jim Shirley and local artist Dirce Kennedy presented the newest Sarasota Keys piano on Suncoast View. An accomplished portrait artist, Dirce adorned the piano with eight famous pianists; Elton John, ...
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2018-2019 Alliance Art Exhibits
Each year the Arts and Cultural Alliance hosts six exhibits for local artists. Over 20 applications were submitted this year and then narrowed down by a panel of community members. ...
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Stay Informed on the Arts
We love our bustling arts community in Sarasota, but sometimes it can be difficult to stay informed. Let the Alliance help! You can easily stay up-to-date on local arts and cultural ...
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College Student Discounts
College Student Discounts at Local Arts Organizations Asolo Repertory Theatre Student Rush Starting one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance, full-time students (25 and younger) may ...
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Nominate an Arts Leader!
2017 Volunteer Award Recipients, Sharon and Steve Dickman The Arts and Cultural Alliance is accepting nominations for our annual Arts Leadership Awards. Winners will be recognized at the Celebration of ...
Read MoreCulture Coast with Kathryn Parks
The Arts and Cultural Alliance is partnering with Kathryn Parks and Mars Vision Productions to bring you a new Facebook Live show, Culture Coast with Kathryn Parks. This show will ...
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The 2018/2019 Sarasota Culture Collective Season!
The Sarasota Culture Collective (SCC) enters its 6th season! SCC is a member organization for young adults between the ages of 21-39 who would like to experience a variety of ...
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Meander – Sarasota Public Art
Most of the public art that we have featured this summer has been the type of art that you pass by daily and just need a reminder to look ...
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Selby Public Library Celebrates 20 Years!
On Saturday, August 4th, the Selby Public Library will celebrate 20 years of serving the Sarasota community at the downtown, Five Points location. The library will host activities throughout the ...
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Bravo – Sarasota Public Art
In the early morning hours on Sunday, July 28, 2018, the 80th piece of public art was added to the City of Sarasota’s public art collection! According to artist Jorge Blanco ‘Bravo’ ...
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Doughboy – Sarasota Public Art
The original ‘Spirit of the American Doughboy’ was created in 1921 by Ernest Moore Viquesney to honor the veterans and casualties of World War I. Doughboy is an informal term ...
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Stage of Discovery
Today the staff of the Alliance had the pleasure of attending Broadway in Black Jr at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presented by the talented young performers from the Stage of ...
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Complexus – Sarasota Public Art
John Henry’s bright red 70 foot sculpture ‘Complexus’ was only meant to be in Sarasota during the 2011/2012 Season of Sculpture. However, a group of community members felt that it ...
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Applications Now Available for JRT and Opportunity Grants!
Deadline to submit grant applications is 5 pm Tuesday, September 4th. Opportunity Grants Non-profit organizations in Sarasota County that do not qualify for or did not receive a Tourist Development ...
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John Ringling Statue – Sarasota Public Art
The John Ringling statue on St. Armand’s Circle was acquired by the City of Sarasota in 2001. Created by Cuban sculptor Tony Lopez, this figure stands on the southern side ...
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St Armand’s Original Statues – Sarasota Public Art
Thanks to John Ringling’s vision in the 1920’s and the more recent passion of community groups such as Save Our Statues, we are fortunate to have a lovely display of ...
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Jury Members for the 2018-2019 Alliance Exhibitions
Announcing the Jury Members for the 2018-2019 Alliance Exhibitions The Arts and Cultural Alliance would like to thank our jurors for the 2018-2019 Alliance Exhibitions! Dan Denton Dan Denton is ...
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Photon II – Sarasota Public Art
Photon II was created by Dennis Kowal in 2000 and acquired by the City of Sarasota in 2002. This 9′ tall aluminum sculpture stands between the bay and the Van Wezel ...
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TDC/A Grant Recipients Announced
The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is pleased to announce that the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved the recommendations for funding of the 2018 Tourist Development ...
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Nobody’s Listening – Sarasota Public Art
Nobody’s Listening is a sculpture by Jack Cartlidge that stands at Sarasota City Hall. This piece has been in the City’s public art collection since 1967 when it was commissioned ...
Read MoreJohn Ringling Towers and Opportunity Grants 2018-2019
The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is pleased to announce the application process for the 2018-2019 John Ringling Towers Grants and Opportunity Grants. The John Ringling Towers (JRT) ...
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The Butterfly Lady – Sarasota Public Art
Gracing the corner of Palm Ave and Cocoanut Ave in front of Florida Studio Theatre’s Keating Theatre, the Butterfly Lady was donated the City of Sarasota by Paul Passerat and ...
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The Value of Public Art
The value of public art has been reflected throughout history. The early value Sarasota placed on public art can still be seen at St. Armand’s Circle. In the 1920’s John ...
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Smile – Sarasota Public Art
Smile is a sculpture by Jorge Blanco that stands at the corner of Tamiami Trial and Boulevard of the Arts in front of Hotel Indigo. This is a developer owned piece ...
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Sarasota Deco – Sarasota Public Art
Rob Lorenson’s sculpture, Sarasota Deco, has graced the corner of Main Street and Central Avenue in downtown Sarasota, Florida since 2008. This stainless steel sculpture with water feature measures 16’ x ...
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The 2018 Giving Challenge
On June 1, 2018 the Arts and Cultural Alliance team joined hundreds of other non-profit organizations to celebrate the 2018 Giving Challenge. The celebration included remarks from Roxie Jerde of ...
Read MoreClosed – Annual Alliance Exhibits
Calling All Artists! Exhibit Opportunity for the 2018 – 2019 Season (more…)
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Arts Alliance Community Impact
The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is proud to be one of the original 2012 Giving Challenge (more…)
Read MoreSarasota Opera
Announces 60th Festival Season 2018 Fall Season The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini The Little Sweep by Benjamin Britten 2019 Winter Season Turandot by Giacomo Puccini The Magic Flute ...
Read MoreSarasota Contemporary Dance
SCD Announces 13th Season: ROOTED SCD + Now Ensemble October 11-14, 2018 Voices – Emerging Choreographers December 6-9, 2018 Dance Makers Jan 31 – Feb 3, 2019 Evolving/Revolving May 2-5, ...
Read MoreWestcoast Black Theatre Troupe
SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) has announced its 2018-2019 season, with the theme “The Command Season.” In addition to four regular-season shows, which are included in the ...
Read MoreCulture Collective at the Opera
Felding Hall at the Sarasota Opera House was abuzz (more…)
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Once in a Blue Moon, Take II
Backstage at the Soundstage! Title Sponsor: Art Ovation Hotel (more…)
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Business of Art Workshop!
Join us Tuesday, November 28, 2017 for the Business of Art Workshop! (more…)
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Thank you, Inspire Volunteers!
A special thank you to everyone involved in InspireSarasota! (more…)
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Culture Collective’s 2017/18 Season
Check out the NEW 2017/18 Season of our Culture Collective program! (more…)
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Become a Patriot Plaza Tour Guide!
Guides volunteer at Patriot Plaza at the Sarasota National Cemetery. (more…)
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Volunteer at our Festival!
Sign-up to become a Volunteer for the Alliance’s InspireSarasota! Festival! (more…)
Read MoreBusiness of Art Workshops
The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County announces the 2017/18 Business of Art Workshops. (more…)
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RSVP for Inspire Celebration!
The Arts and Cultural Alliance’s InspireSarasota! kick-off event, the annual Celebration of the Arts at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017. Admission ...
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Rent a BOOTH today!
It’s time to RENT YOUR BOOTH for the Arts and Cultural Alliance’s 2017 InspireSarasota! Festival! Join in on the excitement of the festival with a tent to promote your organization! The ...
Read MoreBecome a SPONSOR of InspireSarasota!
This fall, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is presenting the 2017 InspireSarasota!, a 12-day fall celebration inspiring pride in our community’s rich legacy as a premier destination ...
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New Season of Art Exhibits
The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County hosts six juried art exhibits from September through May at the Center for Arts and Humanity. During the summer months one or ...
Read MoreED-stravaganza – A Total Success!
On Saturday, August 5, 2017, the Arts and Cultural Alliance joined forces with Sarasota County Schools, The Patterson Foundation, and over 40 participating EdExploreSRQ arts and cultural organizations to present ...
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Photo Submissions
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Photo: Don Daly The Sarasota Ballet in George Balanchine’s “Serenade.” Photo: Frank Atura. Photo by Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival ...
Read MoreGuide to Visiting Elected Officials
Plan to visit elected officials in their home office if possible. This is when they have more time and when they are in Tallahassee or Washington, D.C. Have an agenda ...
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2016/17 Season ends with a Bang!
The Sarasota Culture Collective (which offers next generation audiences ages 21 – 39 the opportunity to experience, engage in, and learn about the arts in Sarasota) just wrapped up their ...
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