Rylie Dexter, a Connecticut native, came to Sarasota to study at Ringling College of Art and Design and now works as a video editor for an entertainment company. After COVID-19, Dexter returned to visual arts, creating paintings, costumes, sculptures and crafts. Over the past year, he has worked with artist representative Dylan Jones to bring his work to a wider audience within Sarasota’s arts scene.

In August 2025, Jones organized an auction of two limited prints at Sarasota Estate Auction in Burns Court. The works depicted two cats, Sugar and Spice, adopted from Cat Depot in 2019. Each print was signed by Dexter and featured a paw print from the cats. The auction raised more than $1,100 for Cat Depot, helping nearly a dozen cats through rescue, wellness checks and fostering. In November, two prints of a surreal self-portrait painted during Hurricane Ian were auctioned to benefit the Manatee and Sarasota Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Funds, again raising more than $1,100. These efforts have helped spread awareness of Dexter’s work and his commitment to charitable giving.

"I realized a long time ago that I don't feel creatively fulfilled unless I am able to express my own ideas through a variety of artistic media. Art became a necessity for my own personal sense of satisfaction. The fact that my artwork can result in some material good by raising money for causes I care about has been a tremendous blessing," says Dexter. "It means my hours spent creating are never wasted."

The next Sarasota Estate Auction will take place January 24 and 25. Dexter’s piece will be auctioned on the first day, within the first few hours. His partnership with the auction house has expanded the reach of his work, and he continues to donate 100% of proceeds to charity. His upcoming auction marks the first original painting he has offered for sale, created specifically to benefit Nate’s Honor Rescue.

"My upcoming projects bring a focus to bodily autonomy and the politicization of people's bodies," he continued. "As a trans person, I feel like I get to see beauty where society tells us we should feel shame or disgust. I hope to help others see this beauty as well, and in the process help the community by raising money for Queer charities."

For more information about the auction process, call 941-359-8700 or email SarasotaEstateAuction@gmail.com. 

Pictured: Rylie Dexter, the artist, at work. Provided photo.

The Patterson Foundation has hired Julio Suarez as vice president of community impact. In his new role, Suárez will bridge philanthropic strategy, impact investing innovation and community engagement to advance the Foundation’s mission to strengthen people, organizations and communities in ways that foster wide participation around shared quality-of-life aspirations. Suárez brings more than 20 years of experience in philanthropic and mission-driven leadership to his new role. His previous positions include managing director at DRiWaterstone Human Capital, head of the Anheuser-Busch Foundation and director of the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation. As the vice president of community impact, Suárez will lead the development and implementation of The Patterson Foundation’s impact investing program, which explores investments designed to create a positive impact on our world. 

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Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is pleased to share new details for its annual fundraising celebration, The Shindig, taking place Monday, March 2, 2026, in FST’s Hegner Theatre Wing. This year’s theme, Dare to Imagine, draws inspiration from FST’s upcoming spring production The Blue-Sky Boys, inviting guests to dream boldly about the future of theatre in Sarasota. To reserve tickets or become a sponsor for this unforgettable evening, contact Kristin Hartnett, Development Associate, at KHartnett@FloridaStudioTheatre.org or call 941-366-9017 ext. 316. 

The Sarasota Tiger Bay Club invites the public to attend Meet the New(er) CEOs - How the Foundations are Working Together on February 5, 11:30 a.m., at Michael’s On East, 1212 East Avenue South in Sarasota. For more information, and to register for this event, visit SarasotaTigerBay.com or call 941-228-9144. Panelists for this discussion include John Brothers, president/CEO of the Charles & Marjorie Barancik Foundation; Jessica Muroff, president/CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County; Phillip Lanham, president/CEO of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation; and Susie Bowie, president/CEO of the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation.  Check in begins at 11:30 a.m.; the program begins at noon and ends at 1:15 p.m. Reservations ($39 for Tiger Bay members, $44 for non-members) are required and lunch is included. For more information, and to register for this luncheon, visit SarasotaTigerBay.com or call 941-228-9144. 

Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) is now accepting applications for scholarships for the 2026-2027 school year. To review requirements and complete the online application, applicants may visit GulfCoastCF.org/scholarships. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 2 at 4 p.m. EST; awards will be announced in late spring.   Since establishing its scholarship program in 1997, Gulf Coast has awarded more than $12 million in scholarships to help students pursue their dreams of post-secondary education. Last year, the Foundation awarded 585 scholarships totaling over $761,000 to make these dreams a reality for students region-wide.  

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Golf Instructor at Longboat Key Club, Stephen Arnold, has raised more than $100,000 for First 1,000 Days Suncoast by completing over 100 holes of golf in a single day. Arnold took on the challenge of raising awareness and support for First 1,000 Days Suncoast, an initiative that helps families during pregnancy and through their child’s first 1,000 days of life, when 80 percent of a child's brain development occurs. The initiative is led by his wife, Chelsea Arnold, who serves as its director. 

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Spend an enchanted evening at Selby Gardens! Join us for Lily Pond Nights with The Green Orchid by Michael’s On East at our Downtown Sarasota campus, open every Thursday through Saturday, and accepting reservations and walk ins from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy a garden-to-plate dinner experience at The Green Orchid, wander through the illuminated Marcy and Michael Klein & Stone Foundations Lily Pond Garden, and greet our friendly koi under the stars! Selby Gardens Members and Member Guests enjoy free admission. There is a $5 per party surcharge for non-members. Includes complimentary on-site parking. 

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Following the strong success of Car Bank SRQ, developer Todd Segal is proud to announce Car Bank 2.0, a new and expanded private car condominium facility coming soon to Palmer Ranch at 5864 Derek Avenue, Sarasota, Florida. Designed for car collectors, motorsports enthusiasts, RV and boat owners, and anyone in need of secure, high-quality storage, the new project elevates the original concept with larger units and enhanced community amenities. Car Bank 2.0 will feature 26 units, each measuring approximately 24’ x 55’ (1,320 SF), offering substantially more interior space than the original project. Initial pricing will begin at $599,000. The gated and secure facility is 28' above sea level and will maintain all the premium features owners valued in Car Bank SRQ, including high-and-dry construction, storm-resistant design, and customizable interiors.  Strategically located in Palmer Ranch, Car Bank 2.0 offers convenient access to Sarasota’s barrier islands, major roadways, and nearby residential communities, providing owners with both proximity and peace of mind.Sales for Car Bank 2.0 are now underway. 

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