Around four years ago, Virginia Shearer, the executive director of Sarasota Art Museum (SAM), worked with her team to establish a trip program, in which the organization takes a group of around 40 people to visit major art museums around the country. While visiting the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, something interesting happened.

“We turned a corner, and a woman on the trip said, ‘oh my gosh, I own works by this ceramicist,’” says Shearer. “A light bulb went off in my head—we’re at the Smithsonian and she lives in Sarasota and owns a piece like this—this could be pretty cool for us. Then we went to another major contemporary art museum, Glenstone, in Maryland, and the same thing happened.”

A few years later, one of SAM’s latest exhibitions, Something Borrowed, Something New, was born. Drawn from private collectors across Southwest Florida, Something Borrowed, Something New is an amalgamation of works from some of the foremost modern and contemporary artists to date. Artists such as Chuck Close, KAWS, Richard Walker, Richard Serra, Yoka Ono, Ai Weiwei and Louise Bourgeois are featured in the exhibition that includes everything from paintings, prints, sculptures and mixed media works, both from the 20th and 21st centuries.

“The through line is that these are exceptional, world-class works of art that we assembled because they speak to the last 40 years or so of art making in contemporary practice,” says Shearer.

There are also connections between the different collectors. Pieces from Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei’s papercut collection, detailing consumerism and the hypocrisy of Chinese communism are positioned across from a series of ceramic vessels emblazoned with American consumer brands. These works, both heralded in the world of contemporary art, come from the collectors of different collectors based in the Sarasota area.

Something Borrowed, Something New, April 19-September 27, Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 

Steven Young Lee (Korean American, born 1975). Moon Jars with Dragon, 2013. Porcelain, white slip, 15 x 15 x 15 in. ea. Courtesy of Duane Reed Gallery. In the collection of Kimberley A. Pelyk.

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Art Center Sarasota continues its Centennial Season with four exhibitions opening May 21 and on view through July 31, 2026. A public reception celebrating all exhibitions will take place Thursday, May 21 from 5–7pm. Visit artsarasota.org to learn more. 

The Hermitage Artist Retreat announced a new program, “Script & Song: A Beachfront Evening of Theater and Music” on the Hermitage Beach, featuring multiple Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sam Beam and celebrated Broadway playwright Lindsey Ferrentino. On Monday, June 22 at 6:30pm, Beam and Ferrentino will offer insight into their individual artistic practices and share original work and music from their impressive careers, while discussing the nuances of collaborating across mediums. This program will take place just before sunset on the Hermitage Beach. 

The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton & Sarasota is pleased to announce the appointment of Elyza Wylder-Wilcox as the inaugural Director of Marketing and Communications. In this role, Wylder-Wilcox will lead the organization’s marketing strategy, audience engagement, and communications efforts as The Pops Orchestra strengthens its connection in the community. Visit thepopsorchestra.org to learn more. 

Our 2025-2026 concert series concludes this Sunday with "Karen as Dolly" at the Venice Performing Arts Center located at Venice High School,1 Indian Ave. in Venice. Tickets are $56 which includes a hurricane restoration fee for the rebuild of the Jervey Theatre, reopening next season.  Karen Hester is an entertaining performer with a heart of gold who keeps audiences smiling and eager for more! She recently performed live on AXS TV’s "World’s Greatest Tribute Bands" in Hollywood, CA. Whether performing gospel or country music, she has delighted audiences around the world. Tickets for "Karen as Dolly," "Emma," aactWorldFest, and subscriptions for our 77th season are available at VeniceTheatre.org or by calling the box office at 941-488-1115.   

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) has received a $10,000 grant from the Manatee Community Foundation to support its 2026-2027 WRITE A PLAY program, a year-round arts education initiative that empowers students to create and share their own original stories.For more than 35 years, WRITE A PLAY has inspired young people to explore their creativity through theatre. The program reaches more than 30,000 students annually across Florida, as well as nationally and internationally, guiding participants through every step of the playwriting process. From in-school workshops led by professional teaching artists to live performances at FST’s Keating Theatre, students gain the tools and confidence to transform their ideas into fully realized scripts. For more information about WRITE A PLAY or to support FST’s education programs, visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org. 

Sarasota Rising is bringing a one-of-a-kind evening of music, community, and celebration to the Art Ovation Hotel Ballroom on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Broadway Sing-A-Long is an interactive musical theatre dance party that invites theatre lovers, performers, and casual fans alike to come together and revel in the music that has filled Broadway stages for generations. Proceeds from the evening will directly support the Living Arts Festival 2026, November 8-15, which, during that week, brings together the region’s arts organizations, amplifies their programming, creates unique and experiential performances at no charge to the community, and recognizes the importance of arts educators to the future of Sarasota’s vibrant cultural life.

Saturday, May 9, Art Ovation Hotel Ballroom, Sarasota, 7:00pm-midnight, Youth All-Stars: 7-9pm. 

Calling all sides of the force! Join us in The Planetarium at The Bishop for an adventure in a galaxy not too far, far away with your imperial tour guide, Hannah! Fly through the landscapes of alien worlds and meet members of the dark side, but keep an eye out for a rebel spy on a grand tour of the Galactic Empire! Stellar attire encouraged! Doors open at 6:30pm. The presentation begins at 7pm in the Planetarium.Preregistration required. $10/$3 for Members/Members under 17; $15/$5 for Non-Members/Non-Members under 17. 

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From May 13-24, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is thrilled to present a limited, black box run of Dominique Morisseau's drama, "Confederates." The show tells the powerful stories of Sara and Sandra, two women separated by time and their vastly different experiences as Black women in the U.S. Tickets are now on sale. Visit westcoastblacktheatre.org or call the Box Office (941-366-1505) for tickets. 

A huge influence on Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, and Jimi Hendrix, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a legend in her time. Her fierce guitar, magnetic stage presence, and swinging style transformed traditional gospel music, earning her the honorary title: Godmother of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Marie and Rosetta chronicles her first rehearsal with a young protégée, Marie Knight, as they prepare to embark on a tour that would establish them as one of the great duos in music history. Chicago Sun-Times says "Marie Knight and Rosetta Tharpe provided the foundation for Rock 'n' Roll. They also gifted the world with the foundation for this can't miss show." Runs May 6-31. 

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