It started as a blank white space. Intimidating, even for a pair of professional artists. Nearly two months later, however, that space has become a home. Since July 1, Sarasota residents Nora Jane Long—an Emmy-nominated filmmaker—and Anne Elhajoui—an award-winning designer who works as the art director at Dogs Inc.—have called the Gaze Gallery at the ARCOS Apartments their home studio. The two local artists, who’d known each other for just over a year, are in the midst of the Creative Liberties’ Summer Residency, with a closing reception set for August 23. Those interested in seeing the work, however, don’t need to wait until August 23—onlookers are welcome to pop into the shared studio space during regular business to digest the two bodies of work and engage Long and Elhajoui on their respective artistic processes.

“Nora was going to be in this space with someone else who ended up dropping out and she asked me if I wanted to join her,” says Elhajoui. “I thought to myself, ‘Oh, I would love this.’ It’s kind of the dream to have a studio to go to with all of your supplies there and that it’s right on the street. People come in and talk to us while we create, which is just the greatest experience. I’m going to be quite sad when it’s over.”

For Long, who has spent the beginning of her career as a filmmaker, primarily working in documentary, the residency has been an opportunity to kick start a body of work that is more visual, delving into paintings, poetry and even collage. “When we received the space, which is a 600 square foot room, it was empty with big, white walls, which was very intimidating to me as a newer artist in regards to having visual art in a two-dimensional form,” says Long. “As a newer, emerging artist, as I was very inspired by Anne—she’s worked in a lot of different mediums, she has art on the walls that is made out of sand, she has collages and she has paintings, but it all feels very cohesive.”

Long and Elhajoui have fed off each other’s creativity. The pair sit facing each other to promote communication as they work in their respective mediums—Elhajoui on a collage series mounted on canvases Long thrifted, and Long on poetry, oil paintings and a collage series of her own.

Closing Reception August 23, 6-9pm, Gaze Gallery at ARCOS, 340 Central Ave., Sarasota, 34236 

Tumbling Type by Anne Elhajoui. Provided Photo.

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Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is pleased to announce it has received a $150,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support the naming of the Mainstage Sound and Lights Booth in the McGillicuddy Arts Plaza, honoring the legacy of the late Muriel O’Neil. Funding for this project has been provided by the Muriel O’Neil Fund for the Performing Arts. 

The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber is excited to announce Smith & Associates Real Estate as the title sponsor of the 2025 Taste of the Beaches taste tour. This year’s event will take place October 4th-12th, with a kickoff party to remember on October 3rd. Taste of the Beaches is a beloved annual tradition that showcases the culinary talents of local restaurants while supporting and giving back to the community. As the premier real estate firm in the area, Smith & Associates Real Estate shares the Chamber’s commitment to enhancing the community. Together, they are set to create an unforgettable event that celebrates the vibrant food scene and rich culture of the Beaches. For more information, please email info@tampabaybeaches.com or visit TampaBayBeaches.com/taste.  

Get ready to buy Venice Theatre favorites like Dwight Icenhower’s Tribute to Elvis, Capitol Fools, Sounds of Soul, and Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone. While you’re there, check out new tributes to Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Queen, Stevie Wonder, the Allman Brothers Band and more!  

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Come be a part of our Day of Dance, featuring FREE mini classes led by our incredible SCD teaching Artists! This is a fun, No-pressure opportunity to sample the variety of classes we'll be offering this fall! Whether you're new to SCD or a returning dancer, we'd LOVE to see you there! Free Event. All Ages & Levels are Welcome. 

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All eyes were on the 941 as Visit Sarasota County was honored with five awards at the 68th Annual Golden Image & Pinnacle Awards Gala, hosted by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). Recognized as the hallmark of excellence in public relations and communications, the Golden Image Awards and Pinnacle Awards celebrate outstanding strategy, innovation, and results on a state level. In the Public Relations Division, Visit Sarasota earned top honors – a Golden Image Award and Judges’ Award – for its crisis communications campaign #SupportThe941 assisting in community economic recovery following Hurricane Milton. Visit Sarasota also won an Award of Distinction for its special event, the Indicators & Insights Summit, which returns this Fall on November 18. The tourism bureau also took home a Silver Pinnacle Award for Government Team of the Year and its Director of Community Relations & Partnership, Hunter Carpenter, APR, was named the statewide PR association’s inaugural Young Professional of the Year.  

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Sarasota County invites the public to learn about updated fire assessment proposed rates for Fiscal Year 2026 at a series of community meetings.To meet the growing demand for fire services to both residential and non-residential areas, the county continually seeks to enhance the level of emergency services provided by the fire department. Each year, fire assessment rates are reviewed as part of the budgetary process to ensure adequate funding for fire protection services in our community.  For more information, call 311 or visit scgov.net/firefees.