The curious community is invited to tour the artist studios and galleries at Longboat Key Center for the Arts this Saturday for Through the KEYhole – a sneak peek and behind the scenes look at the upcoming KEY Influence exhibit, where for the past two months artists from the sARTq artists collective have taken up residency within the Center’s walls to work their craft within a new and invigorating environment. Open from 2-4pm, attendees will be afforded the opportunity to not only observe the artists in their element, but also ask questions and engage in conversation about the creative process.

“It was an extraordinary opportunity that the Longboat Key Center for the Arts provided this organization,” said Tim Jaeger, member artist and co-founder of sARTq, of the KEY Influence residency program. Opening its doors, LBK made space for each of the 13 participating artists, clearing galleries and studios for the two-month residency and then the following exhibition time as well, which will include everything from painting and drawing to sculpture and installation, with plenty of room for photography and video work and much more, according to Jaeger. “Every artist has inhabited a different space and in this time it’s developed a personality,” he said.

Working in close proximity for two months, the artists also had the chance to regularly engage each other and their respective ideas and processes, to the benefit of all, according to Jaeger. “In this experience, dialogue was created, relationships were strengthened and art was explored,” he said. “In that type of environment, ideas come to life.” Though artists had to submit a proposal to the Center regarding their initial plans for the residency, none remained unchanged through this contact. “And that’s good,” said Jaeger.

But as much as the sARTq artists have flourished, Jaeger says this project and these events are not just about sARTq. It’s about rediscovering LBK and the surrounding area, he says, just like the artists did in creating their work.

“It’s a special place,” said Jaeger. “There are many people, places and things in our lives that we unintentionally avoid because of our schedules and routines. And when we finally have the opportunity and desire to participate in these things that are around us everyday – when we finally make that effort – you wish you had done it earlier.”

Through the KEYhole is this Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts from 2-4pm. The KEY Influence exhibit opens with a reception Oct. 9. 

Pictured: Work by sARTq artist Zach Gilliliand. Courtesty of: sARTq.

A special taxing district credited with turning Downtown Sarasota from blighted ghost town to thriving cultural center will sunset next year. 

A long-running debate between city and county leaders came to a quiet close at a Tuesday budget hearing as Sarasota County Commissioners voted unanimously to let the community redevelopment area downtown expire in November 2016, 30 years after the district was created. “We need to cease one effort before we start another,” said County Commissioner Paul Caragiulo. 

The decision stunned city officials, who were still hopeful for a joint effort to explore what an extension of the CRA would specifically entail. “We were taken totally by surprise,” said Mayor Willie Show. “Our last correspondence with the county was that the city had selected a two-member team to talk to the county… I would hope we could go further with the conversation.” And potentially, the matter could be raised anew. The county commission could reconsider its decision and extend the CRA any time until the point when the district expires.

But right now, the county seems divided on the use of CRAs at all. CRAs under Florida law designate a blighted area and fund redevelopment using tax increment funding, meaning that as property within the area boundaries increases in value, the tax revenue from that boost is earmarked for improvements to the area. In Fiscal Year 2013-14, almost $14.5 million in revenue was raised from the Downtown Sarasota CRA and a younger Newtown CRA; the Newtown CRA doesn’t expire until 2047. 

Caragiulo does want to look at the use of an improved CRA in Newtown. The city has explored resetting the property values there to current values; the Newtown values are judged from the height of the real estate market, preventing that district from raising revenue. “The city should have to come up with literal alternative plans,” said Caragiulo, who would like city officials to explore new CRA boundaries. “Stop talking about it and present something.” However, other county officials seem uninterested in new CRAs. County Commissioner Christine Robinson noted at a Tuesday hearing that neighboring counties have seen high portions of revenue set aside for CRAs at the expense of other areas. “We need to be very careful if we ever continue with another CRA,” she said.

County Commissioner Charles Hines shared Robinson’s concern. He said there are options worth exploring with a CRA, and suggested the city might explore including the Bayfront and other potential redevelopment areas in such a district, but did fear that if too many CRAs were established in the county, it could eventually hurt funding for day-to-day obligations. Letting the Downtown CRA expire, meanwhile, will free up funding in the county general fund for general uses. “We can talk about redoing the Bayfront and building a new aquarium. That’s the fun stuff,” he said. “But sometimes we have got to say that today we need to replace a chiller. And that costs how many millions? But that’s your main job, and you have do that before you go to the other stuff.” 

The decision to let the CRA expire goes against recommendations from an ad hoc committee formed to look at the issue, and Andy Dorr, chairman of the Downtown CRA Extension Committee, was disappointed by the county action this week. “I’m not aware of other major tools sanctioned by the state of Florida and used widely in practice that allow you to raise the kind of tax increment revenue and give the sanctioned ability and the control that a CRA has,” he said. It won’t be until the 2030s that the Newtown CRA independent raises decent redevelopment revenue, he said, and to start a new CRA means losing 30 years of increased property values and related tax funding. He also noted extension of the CRA was supported by such diverse groups as The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and City Coalition of Neighborhood Associations. 

Lace up in black velvet and a soft giraffe print for a comfort show that still takes the spotlight. A cushioned sole lies beneath the lush fabric and patent leather, making these the perfect shoe for walking in style. Grab a pair for $325 at Reasons. 

Reasons, 20 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-388-1602.

Read more about the hottest shoes on the Gulf Coast in the September issue of SRQ

Hotel Ranola, the original boutique hotel in the heart of Downtown Sarasota, is under new ownership.  Terri Noyes and Al Clarizia, of Longboat Key and Cape Cod, recently took the keys of the Indian Place building. Built in 1926 as an apartment hotel, Hotel Ranola offered snowbirds an escape from harsh Northern winters. Ranola was revived in 2008 by Robert and Kim Livengood as a small hotel with nine units to rent nightly, weekly and for extended stays. The couple owned and operated the business until 2010. Noves and Clarizia owned and operated the Sea Coast Inn Bed and Breakfast on Cape Code for 22 years. 

Hotel Ranola

The City Center Wealth Management Group has become the newest team at RBC Wealth Management’s Sarasota branch with the addition of financial advisor Jay W. Berman, who worked previously with PaineWebber/UBS, PNC Investments and as an independent financial advisor in Sarasota.  RBC Wealth Management is part of RBC, the largest bank in Canada by assets and market capitalization.  The firm was founded in 1909 in Minnesota. The new local office is located in the City Center on Main Street. 

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County received a major gift from Tom and Debbie Shapiro to help close a significant gap between the job market and qualified candidates for employment in the community. This contribution will support workforce development at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County’s new Career Resource Center on Fruitville Road in Sarasota. In recognition, the building will be named the Tom and Debbie Shapiro Career Resource Center. The center will house classes and training programs for Boys and Girls Club members, encouraging them to pursue higher education at the collegiate level or secure competitive community employment after high school graduation in areas including skilled vocational jobs.  

Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County

Time is officially running out to purchase advanced priced tickets for SRQ Bal Masqué: Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil, one of Sarasota's most premier events. Held at the historic and enchanting Sarasota Opera House from 8PM-midnight on Saturday, October 3rd, Bal Masqué promises breathtaking performances, amazing southern fare and tempting cocktails. 

Taking the mainstage for the performance portion, Sarasota Cuban Ballet Company, Sarasota Circus Arts Conservatory and Sarasota Contemporary Dance. Live music will drift on the night air in the courtyard and throughout the beautiful mezzanines. Inspired, creative southern dishes like shrimp and grits and chicken and waffle sliders will pair perfectly with an assortment of craft cocktails, locally brewed and imported beers and a generous selection of wines. 

Don't miss this beautiful evening of masquerade. For tickets to Bal Masqué: Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil, visit SRQBALMASQUE.COM. 

A portion of ticket proceeds benefit local community organizations. Advance Tickets: $125; Door price: $150 

Yesterday, SRQ Media hosted SB2: Financial Forecast at The Francis in downtown Sarasota. The crowd gathered early to hear a keynote presentation from Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and a panel of local experts weigh in on the state of our local economy. Mr. Panuccio's presentation spanned a look back at the economic and job growth pre-recession through August of this year. With statistical information and figures for the entire state of Florida, Panuccio reported that Florida has experienced a 15% increase in private sector jobs since December 2010. Over 35,000 of those jobs were in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro area. Brining the conversation back to the local front, panelists represented local Economic Development Corporations in both Sarasota and Manatee counties, as well as real estate and new development. Sharon Hillstrom of Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, Mary Dougherty-Slapp of the Gulf Coast Builders exchange, Jennifer Taylor of The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County and Stafford Starcher of the Realtors Association of Sarasota & Manatee relayed the signs of growth in their respective fields and tools they each use to strengthen the local economy and encourage growth. Stay tuned for a wrap up of the morning’s key findings and a photo gallery on Inside the Brand.