In the events surrounding the 2016 presidential election, the artist Lynn Mann-Hallmark experienced an unexpected political awakening. “I never thought of myself as a political person before,” she says. And the hits kept coming. First the Muslim ban. Then the protests at Standing Rock. Again and again, Mann-Hallmark found herself at odds with the world around her and with no immediate path to effective change. “I took to painting out my frustrations,” she says, putting down the camera and once again picking up the paintbrush to create a new series of vibrant and striking portraits proclaiming the power of femininity. Dubbed The Feminine Force, the exhibition is currently on display at Sarasota Orchestra’s Harmony Gallery.

The series began with Liberty. Sensual and strong, welcoming and nurturing, she glares defiantly from the canvas in a bold restatement of what Mann-Hallmark still thinks the nation’s statuary mascot should represent. With the six that followed, they would comprise the artist’s “Seven Daughters of Eve,” each speaking to a particular struggle. Freedom, a portrait of Frida Kahlo named Not My Wall, Yellowtail at Standing Rock, Tana’s Blue Nile, Wings of Change and Fatima’s Fire, featuring a Muslim woman in a hijab holding Lady Liberty’s torch—they all stare unblinking from their frames, eyes following the viewer without reprieve. And in each, Mann-Hallmark seeks to capture the power of femininity, simultaneously soft and hard, nurturing and fierce, flexible and resilient.

Seven more paintings join the exhibition, such as a portrait of a woman dancing among the flames as a pair of birds soar overhead named Ring of Fire, and one portrait of a man. Entitled Three Doors to Ybor City, the man straddles a chair and smiles casually at the audience while a couple dances behind to the music of a lone trumpeter and chickens gather at his feet. “He’s their friend,” says Mann-Hallmark of the man’s place among these defiant women. “And men can be feminine too, you know.” He’s strong and handsome, she says, but soft and nurturing too.

Today, Mann-Hallmark knows the painting helped her make sense of a tumultuous time. “Every stroke I put down was like therapy,” she says. “It was helping me calm down, feeling like I had a voice, like someone could hear me.” She couldn’t always be at the protests (though she was at many), but she could always capture these moments in time on her canvas. And she thinks that can maybe make a difference. “I hope people are energized,” she says, “and they’ll wake up to what’s going on around them.”

In the meantime, the painting helps Mann-Hallmark make sense of the world around her. Her latest, Harmony, named after the gallery that elected to show her work, features a Native American woman at peace with her surroundings. “She’s staring you down too,” says the artist, “but there’s something more calm about her.”

Currently on display at the Harmony Gallery, an artist reception will be held October 2 from 5pm to 6:30pm. 

Pictured: 'Harmony' by Lynn Mann-Halmark.

Bright eyed yogis of all ages will be flocking to Payne Park this Sunday, September 15, for the first annual Sarasota Yoga Festival. Hosted by Stretch-N-Sweat Yoga and Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc., the all-day festival starts at 10am and goes till 7pm to pack in 14 different yoga style classes, with the same amount of yoga instructors, leading each 30-minute class to show the public their talents. After your fill of namastes, head to the fleet of local food vendors and food trucks for healthy bites, then shop the market filled with local yoga and health focused vendors. Throughout the entire day there will be a Community Music & Art Tent to hangout at, where a spiritual folk/reggae performance from Joel Jadus & Friends will take place, as well as a “healing and empowerment” community dance and drum circle, “to awaken the rhythm, heart and voice.” To close out the festival, Kirtan sheets will be provided for a community mantra chant and dance.

And don't be shy if you have no prior experience! All are welcome and encouraged to come enjoy. So grab your mat, fill your waterbottle and slide into your best leggings—we'll see you on the green at Payne Park for a Sunday Funday sess. While free to the public, donation proceeds are appreciated and will go towards Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County improving the health and well-being of women, infants and young children. There will be raffle prizes to those who donate, and will be automatically qualified via the event link. 

Photo provided by Stretch-N-Sweat Yoga

Sarasota Yoga Festival EventBrite

Englewood Art Center, a division of Ringling College of Art and Design, will hold an artist’s reception this Saturday, September 14, from 2pm to 4pm for “Without Words,” an exhibition of mixed media collage and assemblage by Susan Zukowsky. Currently on display, the exhibition runs through October 4.

In this exhibition, Zukowsky will show approximately 20 mixed media collages and assemblage. She uses appropriated images from the popular media culture in combination with disparate materials such as feathers, mirrors, knitting needles, rubber balls, beads and buttons. Zukowsky has a passion for the printed image, and the associative power of reproductions. The artist’s assemblages plug into that power, combining print iconography and disparate objects. The result is an illusion of depth and a celebration of tactile materiality. But communication is always the point. 

Englewood Art Center

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) has announced its 2019-20 four-show weekend Children’s Theatre Season. Now in its fourth year, FST’s Children’s Theatre subscription series brings families together to explore the exciting and engaging world of theatre arts at an affordable price. From the classic Pinocchio to award-winning plays written by elementary school students from all over the world, this year’s season has something for all children…and their favorite grownups. 

The Childen’s Theatre schedule is as follows: Pinocchio: October 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and November 2; Deck the Halls!: A Holly Jolly Holiday: November 30, and December 1,7, 8, 14,15, 21, 22, 28; Tomás and the Library Lady: January 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, and February 1, 2, 8, 15, and 22; and The Star Who Could Not Twinkle & Other Winning Plays: March 28, 29, and April 4, 5, 11, 18.

Subscriptions for the four-show Children’s Series are now on sale for $20, at $5 per show. Single tickets are also available for $10 per ticket. 

Florida Studio Theatre

The Sarasota Concert Association (SCA) has announced the 2019-20 schedule for its free Music Matinee Series—a long-running community outreach program features accomplished regional musicians who perform an array of musical styles including, this year, both classical and jazz.

The 2019-2020 Music Matinees noontime concert season features Francisca Mendoza, violin, and Aza Torshkoeva, piano (December 11); Russell Andrade, tenor, and Lee Dougherty Ross, piano (January 22); Harry Miedema and The Blue Heron Sextet (February 11); Sarasota Opera Studio Artists (March 18); and Angela Galestro, flute, and Jonathan Smith, guitar (April 15).  All Music Matinees performances are free and at noon at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center. Seating is open; no reservations accepted. 

Sarasota Concert Association

PINC 2019 has announced one of this year’s speakers in Juha Kaakinen. Kaakinen is the Chief Executive Officer of the Y-Foundation, Finland's largest non-profit housing provider. Driven by a mission to provide housing for everyone, the Y-Foundation has reshaped the system of homelessness through the innovative “housing first” approach. Kaakinen’s work with the Y-Foundation has reduced homelessness in Finland by an incredible 35 percent! Find out why this model is becoming a global movement in the effort to make sure everyone has a place to call home.

PINC tickets are on sale now. Early Bird ticket prices are available while supplies last. 

PINC 2019

Enjoy an afternoon at the historic Edson Keith Mansion while learning about Sarasota history with Afternoons at the Mansion. This new lecture series will benefit the historic Keith Farmhouse renovation. Light refreshments will be served at each event, and the fee is $20 per person. Reservations required; call 941-861-PARK (7275). 

Bertha Palmer Breezes into the Mansion ...with Brownies on October 13 will feature Kate Holmes as Bertha dropping in to visit the Keiths. After Bertha entertains with local news and gossip, she will share her famous brownies with attendees. Then try your luck with a Chinese auction offering gift baskets with tickets to local attractions, books on local history and tea items.

Sarasota, Roaring into the 1920's on November 10 marks the return to the mansion of Sarasota resident and historian Jeff LaHurd, who will regale the audience with tales of this exhilarating time in Sarasota. 

Rising Tides, Shifting Sands; Ancient Sites in Peril on December 8 features native Floridian and local favorite John McCarthy discussing the Manasota OffShore Archaeological burial site, historic Spanish Point and Egmont Key.

Newtown Alive on January 5 presents speaker, Vickie Oldham; singer, Troy Nichols; and Newtown history-makers as they bring to life the history of Sarasota's African American community. Newtown trolley tickets, histories of Newtown and more will be for sale at this event. 

Phillippi Estate Park

The City of Sarasota Parks and Recreation District has launched a new website for its parks, facilities, recreational programming and events. The site provides facility and park information and locations, as well as amenities available at each. Also featured on the site are monthly calendars, program guides, a park guide, and more. The district's new website promotes the City of Sarasota’s GO GREEN campaign by encouraging everyone to view the paperless guides and newsletters online.

Full details can be found at the website below. 

City of Sarasota Parks and Recreation District

An exciting cross-county program is underway this September that will connect you to dozens of deals courtesy of local businesses and Visit Sarasota. Introducing the Sarasota Big Pass—a one-stop-shop to take advantage of some of the region’s best promotions ranging from Buy One Get One, 25% Off and $5 Off Discounts at favorite local attractions, restaurants, hotels and more.

Since the Sarasota Big Pass is only available for a limited time, now is the perfect opportunity to plan a Staycation and cross a few local hot spots off from your bucket list. As a special addition to our Inside the Brand blog, Team SRQ has put together a list of not-to-be-missed Big Pass Deals and ways to experience a world-class vacation without traveling past the county line. Visit SRQ Inside the Brand to check out our recommendations and the Big Pass Website to learn more about the Sarasota Big Pass.

SRQ MEDIA is proud to sponsor the September Big Pass in partnership with Visit Sarasota and local businesses. 

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