Art Center Sarasota, established in 1926 as the city’s first visual arts organization, is closing out its season with four exhibitions slated to run from August 21 to September 27. The four exhibitions—which will precede the organization’s centennial season occurring from fall 2025 through summer 2026—bring a wide variety of artistic styles and mediums to the galleries with two solo exhibitions, a group show and a juried show.

The solo exhibitions include contemporary bookbinder Jacob Z. Wan’s Vol. 3: me, myself, and I and D’ Calvert’s Praxis. “Jacob is an art teacher in Jacksonville and is originally from China,” says Christina Baril, curator and director of exhibitions at Art Center. “He delves into a lot of identity issues in his work as a LGBTQ+ artist. His work is very playful, but there is a lot of underlying meaning behind it.” Wan, who created a number of new works for the show, will be presenting a series of lithograph prints, paintings, books and sculptural pieces.

Calvert is a ceramicist who works in both the functional and sculptural spaces and will host an artist talk on August 28 to delve more into the themes of global trade, displacement and socioeconomic issues that turn through her work. Pieces in Praxis include a roughly nine-foot tall rotating totem, sculptures of pears and vessels. “What’s great about D’s work is the texture that she gets on her pieces. She uses glazes and stains under glazes—she’s a master at creating pieces that you want to touch,” says Baril.

Art Center’s group shows are INK: Quilt of Identity and the juried show: Self Portrait. In Quilt of Identity, instructors from Art Center worked with teens from ALSO Youth’s, a local non-profit supporting LGBTQ+ youth, summer program over nine weekends to create an array of works. “They completed a couple of sculptures, some collage works and paintings that will all be on display, as well as two large tie-dye quilts that they’ve stitched together,” says Baril. “It was refreshing to work with teenagers—they still have their sensors up, but they’re a little bit more willing to express what’s really going on in their lives than some adults. I think doing this gives them a lot of confidence, plus it’s a great way to highlight what’s going on in the younger generation.”

Opening reception August 21, 5-7pm, Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34236 

Artist Jacob Z. Wan. Provided photo.

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The dog days of summer were anything but in Sarasota as VISIT FLORIDA and Visit Sarasota County collaborated to host the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show – a nationally syndicated radio broadcast reaching 2.6 million daily listeners across 70 markets – to promote local attractions and experiences in destination. The morning show broadcasted LIVE from the new Cirque St. Armands Beachside hotel from July 28 to August 1 as part of its annual KiddNation Family Vacation special broadcast.The week following the broadcast, from Aug. 2 through Aug. 8, the morning show gave listeners a chance to win this same vacation each morning.  

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Embracing Our Differences has received a $145,675 grant from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs to support its celebrated outdoor exhibitions and year-round arts education initiatives. The organization’s application earned a perfect score of 100 out of 100—tying for first place among hundreds of applicants statewide.The award comes in a year when funding for the arts was sharply curtailed across Florida. Of more than 600 organizations that previously qualified for Cultural and Museum Grants, only 184 received funding—and only those with scores of 95 or higher were awarded their full request. Embracing Our Differences is one of just 11 organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties to receive support in this cycle. 

Pictured: Students from Sarasota and Manatee counties explore Embracing Our Differences' annual outdoor art exhibition at Bayfront Park in Sarasota. The 2025 show featured 50 billboard-sized works of art and quotes promoting kindness, respect, and inc

Paragon Festivals is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated 2025–2026 season of Fine Art Festivals, showcasing original, handmade works by 80–150 high‑quality artisans at premier outdoor venues across Florida and New York. Each event offers free admission and a boutique art‑festival experience perfect for collectors and casual fans alike. Paragon produces boutique events featuring only original, handmade artwork—not mass-produced or repurposed pieces. Each show is located in a region with strong demographics and buyer interest, and benefits from robust media relationships and strategic marketing campaigns to help artists and exhibitors thrive. For details on exhibiting, sponsorship, or visiting any event in the series, please visit ParagonFestivals.com. 

This week, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall was honored with four awards at the 68th Annual Golden Image Awards, hosted by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). The Golden Image Awards celebrate excellence in public relations, offering professionals a platform to be recognized for outstanding strategy, creativity, and results. In the Public Relations Programs Division, the Van Wezel Marketing Department received an Award of Distinction and a Judges’ Creativity Award for the entry for the Beetlejuice promotion in partnership with Hamlet’s Eatery. In the Collateral of Public Relations Division, the Van Wezel Marketing Department received an Award of Distinction and a Judges’ Award for the midseason brochure. The Award of Distinction is presented to entries that meet a set standard of excellence determined by the panel of judges, the Judges’ Creativity Award is presented by judges to entries that demonstrate impressive creativity, and the Judges’ Award is presented by judges to entries that achieve impressive return on investment. Future updates and information on shows and productions can be found on the Van Wezel’s website and through social media on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. 

A recent grant of $30,000 from The Shubert Foundation will support Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's 2025-2026 theatre season. WBTT's upcoming season includes "Purlie," "Paradise Blue," "How I Got Over: A Gospel Revue," and new original musical "Lies, Spells and Old Wives’ Tales," plus popular holiday show, "Black Nativity." Subscriptions and individual tickets are now on sale. 

When Greystar—a global real estate company active in the Tampa Bay region—rallied its professional network this summer, the result was a $31,000 unrestricted gift to The Florida Center for Early Childhood. The funds were gathered through outreach efforts led by Greystar team members, who engaged colleagues, collaborators, and industry contacts to contribute to the cause. The result? A remarkable show of support that went beyond the check. In addition to raising funds, Greystar sent volunteers to The Florida Center’s Sarasota campus for a day of hands-on work to help refresh the grounds. Team members rolled up their sleeves to trim hedges, plant new greenery, and bring renewed vibrancy to the outdoor spaces used by children, families, and staff.