The Education Foundation of Sarasota County's Evening of Excellence is an innovative art program that raises over $300,000 each year for the Education Foundation of Sarasota. Proceeds benefit more than 40,000 students in the public schools. A highlight of this evening event is the spirited auction featuring art created by Sarasota high school students. Not only do the proceeds go back into investments at our local public schools, but the event also raises awareness for our commitment to the role of arts in learning.

MOON JELLY BY JULIA OVERHOLT, SENIOR AT SUNCOAST POLYTECH—PAINTING: RECIPIENT OF THE BEST IN SCHOOL AWARD.

REINCARNATION BY KATERINA STEHLIKOVA, JUNIOR AT VENICE HIGH—MIXED MEDIA: MADE ENTIRELY FROM SCREWS THAT THE STUDENT HAND TURNED AND THEN INDIVIDUALLY PAINTED TO CREATE THIS IMAGE AND WEIGHED OVER 50 P

Moon Jelly by Julia Overholt, senior at Suncoast Polytech—Painting: Recipient of the Best in School Award.

FLY ME TO THE MOON BY PAIGE DREWETT, SENIOR AT RIVERVIEW HIGH—PAINTING.

STAR SLEEPER BY MADISON MILLER, JUNIOR AT PINE VIEW—DRAWING: RECIPIENT OF THE BEST IN SCHOOL AWARD.

Reincarnation by Katerina Stehlikova, junior at Venice High—Mixed Media: Made entirely from screws that the student hand turned and then individually painted to create this image and weighed over 50 pounds, and took over six months to complete. Recipient of the Best in School Award, Best in Show Award and the Marie B. Ritter People’s Choice Award at the juried art show in January. Stehlikova’s second year placing in the top 25.

Fly Me to the Moon by Paige Drewett, senior at Riverview High—Painting.

Star Sleeper by Madison Miller, junior at Pine View—Drawing: Recipient of the Best in School Award.