Even if you don’t recognize the name Janet Echelman, there is a good chance that you’ll recognize her work. Echelman, a Tampa Bay native, has received international acclaim for her massive aerial net sculptures, public art installations that explore themes of interconnectedness by merging timeless fishing knotting techniques with new-age materials. Echelman’s artistry, however, goes deeper than her monumental netted sculptures. Her solo exhibition at the Sarasota Art Museum (SAM), Janet Echelman: Radical Softness, provides a look into the different stages of her four-decade long career.

“We’re going to get a window into her studio, which is kind of organized chaos, but is really lovely,” says  Virginia Shearer, executive director of SAM. “There will be early works, frame drawings, paintings, textiles, quilts—pieces that could be hung on a wall. Janet’s known for suspending sculptures across football fields and buildings, but she’s also had this fine art practice on a smaller scale and those are the types of netted sculptures we’ll be showing.”

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication of the same name, which delves into how the concept of softness is embodied in all of Echelman’s art. “She is playing around with the idea of sculpture and drawing in space, specifically with her netted works. The netted works take on the form of the environment that they are in, swaying with the breeze and hanging with gravity,” says Shearer. “They are very sculptural, but they also have this inherent lightness to them.”

Radical Softness will also feature a series of Echelman’s brand-new cyanotypes, a photographic printing process characterized by its blue and white imagery. “Objects are laid out onto a specially prepared, light-sensitive paper before being exposed to a bright light—the exposure creates a ghost of an image on the paper,” says Shearer. “They’ll look like much of the sculptural work that she does if it were to be captured in reverse on the paper, because the paper is blue and the image comes out in white.”

Janet Echelman: Radical Softness, November 16 to April 26, 2026, Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 

Remembering the Future, 2025. Hand-spliced braided polyester with knotted, braided high-tenacity nylon, approx. 10 x 28 x 20 ft. Photo by Ryan Gamma.

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Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is excited to inaugurate its 2026 Stage III series with the Florida premiere of Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground, a powerful theatrical meditation on sacrifice and service. Written by Richard Hellesen, this one-man tour de force offers an intimate portrait of America’s 34th president, revealing the man behind the military legend. Previews begin Jan. 7, officially opening Jan. 9, with performances running through Jan. 30, 2026, in FST’s Bowne’s Lab. For more information, visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org or call (941) 366-9000. 

La Musica Chamber Music marks its 40th anniversary with a sweeping season (December 3-April 9) that opened with all six of J.S. Bach’s "Brandenburg Concertos" and culminates in the world premiere of “2 Carnivals,” which includes a whimsical new work by composer Michael Stephen Brown inspired by endangered animals. Under the artistic direction of Wu Han, the world-renowned pianist and co-artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the six-concert series returns to the Sarasota Opera House and Riverview Performing Arts Center with performances from some of the most acclaimed chamber musicians in the world. 

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has awarded a grant to the Nik Wallenda Family Foundation to support access to Wonderland Circus: Believe for families who might not otherwise be able to attend live entertainment experiences. Through the Allen Wirtz Nobbe and Jo Bowen Nobbe Fund, $3,300 in grant funding will be used to purchase tickets for families, creating opportunities for shared moments that strengthen family bonds and foster joy across generations. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting family well-being through meaningful, inclusive community experiences. For tickets, performance schedules, and additional information about Nik Wallenda’s Wonderland Circus: Believe, visit wonderlandcircus.com 

Senior Friendship Centers announces the continuation of its popular “Joyful Journeys” authors series this winter, made possible, in part, through a generous sponsorship, from AARP. Amy Matovina, AARP’s associate state director for Tampa Bay, awarded the sponsorship in support of the organization’s signature literary program, which brings diverse voices — from debut memoirists to award-winning novelists — to the community. The series is also supported by Phyllis Lovrien.  

Miromar Outlets is kicking off the New Year with fresh opportunities to shop and save, featuring great seasonal deals, open-air shopping, and exceptional value at designer and brand-name stores. Guests can enjoy post-holiday promotions throughout the month of January while exploring everything the center has to offer in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Shoppers are encouraged to visit MiromarOutlets.com for the full schedule of January shopping hours, current promotions, upcoming events, and a list of participating retailers. 

The Manasota Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) will host its inaugural Black History Month Scholarship Luncheon on Friday, February 6, 11:30 a.m., at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota. Proceeds from the event will directly support the Manasota ASALH Scholarship Program, helping the organization continue empowering students and advancing equity through academic excellence. Tickets are $125, with sponsorships and tables available. For tickets, sponsorship information, or to learn more, contact info@asalh-manasotafl.org or visit www.asalh-manasotafl.org.