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SRQ DAILY Jun 10, 2017

"Due to tremendous, long-term partnerships, the arts are alive and well and available to all children in Sarasota County Schools."

- Jim Shirley, Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
 

[Under The Hood]  Passion Means Friction For The Arts
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Many communities claim to celebrate the arts. Professing a love for pretty things, after all, invites as little argument as a plea to remember the children. But Sarasota proves a profound love not just through a celebration but occasionally through the denigration of certain arts. Like a marriage, the soundness of the relationship may show most not in those moments when everything’s rosy, but when unconditional passion endures even through the nastiest arguments that expose embarrassing friction.

It would be easy to mistake a nasty conflict over plans for murals at the State Street Parking Garage as a sign of disdain for art, but I would argue the opposite. If you missed it, concerns about nepotism and an undisclosed conflict of interest resulted this week in Sarasota City Commissioners unanimously cancelling the original call for artists, effectively rejecting a proposal from Mark Krucke, an artist whose work became tainted thanks to failure on the part of his father-in-law, Parking Director Mark Lyons, to make their relationship known before swaying the Public Art Committee to endorse Krucke’s proposal for the garage.

Krucke, his reputation now collateral damage in an administrative scandal, told city commissioners this week this decision to punish artists would relay the wrong message to the creative community. Of course, outside a group of supportive friends and family of Krucke, that community largely expressed outrage the art selection process could go so wrong, and more outrage likely would plague a decision to give Krucke the $100,000 job.

Of note, this scandal follows a number of controversies in this community surrounding public art. The selection process for the State Street garage tried largely to avoid a repeat of the disliked-in-some-quarters mural of giant frightening eyes painted in the Palm Avenue garage by French muralist MTO. That artist also sparked a noisy debate in Newtown regarding a since-removed mural depicted a resident’s fingers crossed in a way mildly resembling a gang sign. A plan for a series of related sculptures in Downtown a few years back blew up over accusations a committee formed absent any adherence to the Sunshine Law. And of course, there’s Unconditional Surrender, a Seward Johnson ripoff of a famous photo that folks in town will tell you serves either as a reminder of the Greatest Generation’s sacrifice or of how a garish monstrosity that looks like paper mache can elicit enough emotion to win a prominent place on the Bayfront.

You’d think all the intense debates and “bad messages” broadcast would have scared away every creative by now. Instead, Sarasota hosts a world-class arts college and an inventory of museums, galleries and theaters that makes most mid-sized metropoles envious. The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County will proudly inform you this region employs more artists per capita than anywhere in the country outside Manhattan. That adds up to a community that doesn’t merely celebrate. Sarasota cares about the arts.

Maybe Krucke’s work deserved a place on State Street regardless of his family connections. Perhaps more folks love the kissing sailor than hate it. It’s possible MTO’s work ought to have remained in Newtown. But scrutiny here shows, regardless of outcomes, that every public artwork earns attention from the public. That’s something every artist wants, and gets if they work here.

Sarasota City Commissioners, one should note, could have scrapped the idea of garage art completely, but, despite already having eaten thousands on a derailed process, decided to issue another call to artists. That’s likely a reflection as well of the desire for an urban canvas over a concrete jungle, and proof that, even when art goes astray, Sarasota won’t let it go away.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ Media Group. 

[Higher Education]  The Tyranny of GPAs
Donal O'Shea, doshea@ncf.edu

Those attending New College graduations remark on the unalloyed joy with which graduates revel in one another’s success. They wonder if there are things in the culture that encourages this. There are. Or rather there aren’t: grade point averages.

Quantum mechanics teaches that the mere process of measurement fundamentally alters the nature of the object being measured. Behavioral economics teaches that how one measures and frames questions affects the results obtained. And life teaches that how one evaluates another matters profoundly to both parties.

So why should we be surprised that using grade point averages to evaluate students has entirely predictable and deeply perverse consequences?

In the absence of detailed information, graduate schools and employers will look to a student’s GPA. This tells students that they should maximize their GPA. And consequences follow from that. Why would any sane student take a difficult course not required for a major? A poor grade will lower one’s GPA. If you have difficulty writing, avoid courses that require lots of writing. They will lower your GPA. Need calculus because you want to study science? Take the easiest calculus course possible, preferably one you have taken before so that you will ace the course. Never mind that you probably won’t get the level of understanding you actually need. And if someone else in the course gets an A, it may lower your chances of doing the same.

New College records a student’s performance on each course, and on each semester, as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. The New College system is often described as ungraded, or even pass-fail, although it is anything but. Classes have lots of tests, graded assignments and research projects that challenge students to demonstrate what they know. But students are not assigned a numerical grade. Instead they receive a detailed written evaluation from each instructor, describing how what they have done, no matter how excellent, could be improved. There is no such thing as just squeaking by—your work in a course is either satisfactory (meaning it better be pretty darn good) or it does not count.

As a result, students can explore courses without fear of lowering their GPA, which provides incentives to exceptionally curious, highly motivated students. And faculty advisors both encourage their students’ curiosity and insist that those students take courses in areas they might have otherwise shunned.

But there is a less obvious payoff. Every student competes against himself or herself, not other students. Because of that, students encourage one another, and view each other as colleagues. And that leads to one fine celebration of each other’s success.

Donal O’Shea is president of New College of Florida. 

[Arts Alliance]  Community Ensures Arts for All Children
Jim Shirley, jshirley@sarasotaarts.org

I read a fascinating article in SRQ Daily where a local arts advocate was quoted as saying, “They’re taking music and arts out of the schools.” I certainly appreciate this individual’s passion for making the arts available in the schools. However, I can proudly say that this is a misinformed statement for Sarasota County. Due to tremendous, long-term partnerships, the arts are alive and well and available to all children in Sarasota County Schools.

We live in an informed and incredibly committed community that realizes the value that a comprehensive arts program brings to a school system. For more than 25 years, the Arts and Cultural Alliance and our member organizations have been supporting arts education through the Arts Education Task Force. We formed a formal partnership with Sarasota County Schools in 1996 called the Community Schools Partnership for the Arts that is available to advise the Superintendent of Schools on all matters concerning the arts in our education system. With the commitment and leadership of our tremendous community foundations, including the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Gulf Coast Community Foundation and private foundations including The Patterson Foundation and the Barancik Foundation, we have been able to develop programs like EdExplore SRQ, that allows teachers and community members to easily access all of the educational support experiences offered by our area cultural and scientific organizations.

The educational leadership of Sarasota County, including our school board, Superintendent of Schools and all Landings-based and school-based administrators enthusiastically embraces the arts and arts integration as a cornerstone of our curriculum. Sarasota County was selected by the Kennedy Center to participate in their “Any Given Child” initiative that is committed to ensuring the arts are a fundamental component of every child’s education. The Education Foundation of Sarasota County works tirelessly with community partners to develop sources of funding for our teachers and administrators.

We are fortunate to live in a community where the school system, cultural organizations, business organizations and philanthropic organizations realize the power of partnerships to support the development of future generations. With these types of partnerships working to ensure that the arts remain a core component of every child’s education, it is easy to see why Sarasota County Schools are consistently rated as one of the top systems in the State of Florida. Thank you to everyone who contributes to these wonderful partnerships.

Jim Shirley is executive director of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. 

[From Ann Hall]  Rosemary Needs Green Space

In reading your article on SRQ Rosemary District building, I would like to point out that it seems to be a cavern of buildings with very little green space, landscaping, trees and open space. So indeed, though there is a need for urban housing, we also need green space to keep people grounded in nature.

I also feel that we need more affordable housing for people other than the rich to live downtown. There will be a great need for service workers for all of the development in Sarasota and there needs to be planning for small apartments and houses for those people and family units.

What is good for all of our citizens will improve Sarasota for all.

Ann Hall, Bradenton, responding to the "Sarasota Ponders Future of Rosemary" article in the June 8 edition of SRQ Daily. 



[[KUDOS]]  Doctors Hospital of Sarasota Humanitarian Awards

Doctors Hospital of Sarasota recently presented the annual Frist Humanitarian Awards. It recognizes outstanding individuals for their humanitarian and volunteer activities. It was created in honor Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr., the founder of HCA who was respected for his generosity and caring. This year’s awards honored: Dr. Andrew Moulton of Sarasota Orthopedic Associates  is a nationally recognized expert in the treatment of spinal disorders. He established the Butterfly Foundation to treat children around the world in need of spinal care. He assembles medical teams and supplies to travel to remote areas where spine care is not available. Margaret Alletson volunteers for multiple community events including Relay for Life, American Heart Association and the Lions Club. She participates in community health screenings, drives people to doctor’s appointments and helps others with personal care. Lorraine Glixon has been a volunteer at Doctors Hospital for more than eight years. In addition she volunteers at her synagogue where they distribute food and clothing to the homeless, she volunteers at the Sarasota National Cemetery and Jewish Family and Children Services.   


 

Doctors of Sarasota

[[SCOOP]]  33rd Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Race

The 33rd Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival returns June 24-July 4 with events for the entire family to enjoy. Powerboat and AquaX Pro race teams will compete for the checkered flag on July 1 and 2 just off Lido Beach with televised coverage to over 100 countries beginning late July.  New events this year include a Grand Prix Comedy Night at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, a venue change for the Festival Kickoff Party to Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens, and a Grand Prix Fan Fest on July 1 and 2 in the Van Wezel parking lot.  The Fan Fest is free with Suncoast Charities for Children producing the entire Festival, including the July 4th Bayfront Fireworks. 

Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix

[[KUDOS]]  Director of Learning Appointed for Premier Sothebys International Realty

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, one of the highest volume producing affiliates in the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand, has named Stephanie Fessel as Director of Learning. Fessel holds a bachelor of science degree in human resources management from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. A career sales trainer and former retail manager for Burdines in Boynton Beach, Florida, Fessel has enjoyed a highly successful real estate career since 2001. She has also been an active and engaged industry professional, Fessel served on the Professional Standards Committee of the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association; is former chair of the Education Advisory Group; has served on the Rules and Regulations Committee and as a NOVA Training Program Instructor for the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association; and has served on the Board of Directors for the Charlotte Multiple Listing Service (CMLS) as a large firm representative. In her new role, Fessel will oversee training and leadership development programs for Premier Sotheby’s International Realty associates, leadership and staff. 

Premier Sotheby's Reality

[[SCOOP]]  The Caregiving Place

The Caregiver Resource Centers and Adult Day Services at the Friendship Centers have been rebranded under one umbrella as The Caregiving Place to reflect the complementary services, support, education and respite for the caregiver, and a home away from home for the loved one facing cognitive or medical challenges. Participants in the day program enjoy stimulating activities, including singing, and arts and crafts, in a healthy, secure environment at the campuses in Sarasota and Venice. Meanwhile, their caregivers gain peace of mind, freedom and time to attend educational classes and support groups where they share coping skills and learn from other caregivers that they are not alone. 

Friendship Centers

[[SCOOP]]  Selah Freedoms New Residential Home

Survivors of sex trafficking that graduate Selah Freedom's highly successful Residential Program were able to move into a new home specifically designed for their Independent Living Phase made possible by champion donors that adopted and transformed rooms including: Lakewood Ranch Moms Group, Junior League of Manatee County, Saltair AMI, Pam Miller and Kim Traylor, The Source Church, Karen Jennings and two Anonymous Champions. The home provides a safe place where graduates can continue to walk in freedom and pursue their career and education goals. Selah Freedom has also received a $30,600 matching grant from the Manatee Community Foundation's Manatee Matches Giving Circle. Every gift up to $30,600 will be doubled and help Selah Freedom provide more graduate housing needed immediately. 

Selah Freedom

[[SCOOP]]  Little Black Dress: Salute the Runway Fashion Show and Luncheon

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida will team up with local women veterans

through the Goodwill Manasota Veterans Task Force to recycle dresses from Goodwill and put together an amazing fashion show. The Girl Scouts are in charge of the creativity as they will be pulling items from Goodwill’s donations and the veterans will be modeling the ensembles. Join us at the Hyatt July 13 and discover the unique creations of these wonderful students while supporting a good cause! 

Experience Goodwill

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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