SRQ DAILY Aug 28, 2026
Friday Weekend Edition
"The intention is that it is a celebration of the domestic space and the rituals that occur within it."
Home means something different to everybody. For some it’s a New York City apartment or a condominium in Bradenton Beach. For St. Petersburg-based ceramicist Molly Duff-Clarke, home is a feeling—a feeling that she cultivated while raising her seven-month-old son. Duff-Clarke, a transplant from Michigan who earned her MFA from the University of South Florida, has created a show now on view at Art Center Sarasota, Home for Dinner. In Home for Dinner, Duff-Clarke has brought her newfound experience raising her son with her husband into her work.
“The intention is that it is a celebration of the domestic space and the rituals that occur within it,” says Duff-Clarke. “The backdrop of my life while creating this show has been stepping into the role of motherhood and creating the home that we want to raise our son in. I’m a ceramic artist, so I use clay more than anything, and then I imbue other materials in the finishing of the pieces.”
The main focus of Home for Dinner has been large-scale, functional ceramic objects. An armchair with a cushion atop of it, discarded baby bottles and a table with stools surrounding it—similar to a dinner table—are some of the pieces, all fired in the kiln, that punctuate the show. “I see the pieces as these vignettes of domestic spaces,” says Duff-Clarke. “They are these large, functional ceramic forms that look very much handmade. I leave the impression of my fingerprints on the objects, leaving them sort of imperfect, and then paint them with bright, colorful patterns.”
For Duff-Clarke, the idea was to create as much playfulness and joy as possible with the forms and colors of the individual pieces, and then allow the vignettes to set the thematic stage of domestic life. Duff-Clarke hand-coils all of her sculptures—it’s a lot of work, often with her son strapped to her chest—but just like her journey into motherhood, she wouldn’t change a thing. “The support of family has been huge in getting this show out the door,” attests Duff-Clarke.
Home for Dinner, August 20-September 26, Art Center Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 
Visitors at Art Center Sarasota view a piece from Molly Duff-Clarke's
Creative Liberties heads into fall with new opportunities to see, make and share art, beginning with “Creative Connections,” a group exhibition bringing together more than 30 artists from across the Creative Liberties community. The exhibition will showcase a wide range of media, styles and creative voices. Throughout the exhibition, visitors will have opportunities not only to view and purchase original artwork but also to encounter Creative Liberties artists at work. “Creative Connections” opens with a reception Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Creative Liberties at ARCOS, 340 Central Ave., Sarasota, and continues through Oct. 29.
Provided photo.
Partnering with the Sarasota Film Society for a special one-night viewing with an in-person Q&A, Jit will be shown on September 6 at 7 pm at Lakewood Ranch Cinema. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Film Society’s website.
Pictured: Jit follows the story of two brothers: Dillon, who went missing shortly after being released from prison, and Alex, who is desperately searching for him with the help of his friend named Mutton Chop. Provided photo.
Because of the movie 9-to-5, on Sept 5th (9/5), The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime had already planned to host a Dolly celebration. We are now truly elevating the experience to honor her. The Butterfly House will set up in our courtyard. Dolly loved butterflies (and so do we)! People can enter the “house” and feed the butterflies. It’s a magical experience. We will also have an area for people to share their favorite Dolly songs, memories, moments. She was truly the kindest human being and we want to honor her. We will be doing a book drive to send to the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Susanne Lucas will play live everyone’s favorite Dolly songs and there will be food and drink specials. More surprises in store as we continue to plan.
Sept 5 from 10 am - 3pm, 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota, www.BazaaronApricotandlime.com
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ 46th Annual Juried Photographic Exhibition, presented in partnership with the Observer Media Group, is now on view in a virtual gallery at selby.org. The virtual exhibition will remain on view through September 30. Featuring nearly 250 photographs captured by talented photographers across Selby Gardens’ two campuses, the exhibition offers a vivid celebration of the beauty, diversity, and wonder of the botanical world. Outstanding images were recognized with awards, including Best in Show, presented to Alma Groome for Bee Enveloped in a Flower. This year also marks the introduction of the Richard and Ellen Sandor Photography Prize, a new $5,000 annual prize recognizing the most compelling representation of orchids in Selby Gardens Annual Juried Photographic Exhibition. The inaugural prize was awarded to Stan Jernigan for If the Slipper Fits, celebrating an exceptional image that captures the distinctive beauty and allure of these remarkable plants.
Pictured: Birds and Bees Winner, Zebra Long Butterfly by William Mindak, Provided photo.
Art Center Sarasota (ACS) begins its next century with renewed energy and an expanded season of exhibitions, education, community programs and events designed to make meaningful arts experiences accessible to more people. At the heart of the 2026–2027 season are three guiding principles: Create, Engage, and Belong. Together, they reflect ACS’s commitment to creative expression, connection through art and a welcoming arts community where everyone can participate. For more information about Art Center Sarasota’s upcoming season, exhibitions, classes and programs, visit https://www.artsarasota.org/.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat and the Aspen Music Festival and School (Aspen, Colorado) are pleased to announce Jaylin Vinson, a composition student at AMFS, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Hermitage Prize in Composition. Vinson is the thirteenth recipient of this annual award, which includes a residency at the Hermitage. This year, the Hermitage is pleased to announce a new $10,000 valuation for the prize, which includes a $5,000 commission paid directly to the winner, in addition to supporting expenses related to the winner’s Fellowship and public program at the Hermitage. With this commission, Vinson will create an original composition that will be developed at the Hermitage prior to having its full premiere in Aspen in 2027 with the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble (ACE). This commission is made possible with generous support from Marsha & David Dowler, Rebecca Donelson & Robert Blattberg, and Friends of the Hermitage in Aspen. Learn more at HermitageArtistRetreat.org
Get the first glance of the upcoming season of world-class exhibitions, live performances, inspiring educational programs, and much more. Experience an electrifying live performance by GRAMMY®-nominated Cuban vocalist José “Pepito” Gómez and his dynamic ensemble, La Royal Orquesta. Enjoy the art in the galleries, along with a live DJ, food, and drinks in the Museum of Art Courtyard from 6–8 PM. Then, the band takes the stage at 8pm. Attire: WONDER. WHITE. WOW us with Sequins, Sparkle, Starlight. $35 | Limited Advance Discount. Ticket price after SEP 15: $45 | $40 Member.
FST has announced their 2026-27 Winter Season! From Tony Award-winning Broadway favorites to original musical revues, this season celebrates extraordinary stories and the connections that bring people together.
Join legendary American photographer Lynn Goldsmith for a talk about her work and her exhibition, Shared Light: Lynn Goldsmith, at the Downtown Sarasota campus.Photographer Lynn Goldsmith is renowned for both her celebrity portraits and fine art images. On view through September 13, Goldsmith’s exhibition at the Downtown Sarasota campus combines stunning images of flowers with intimate portraits of Selby Gardens’ artist in residence – Patti Smith.
The Good Hero Philanthropic Awards honor the volunteers, nonprofit leaders, philanthropists, corporate changemakers and young heroes making a meaningful impact across our region. Through these awards, we’re proud to celebrate their stories and inspire locals to continue gathering for the greater good. Nominate a Good Hero by October 20, 2026 and help us recognize the individuals whose compassion and generosity are making our community stronger.
Nominations close October 20, 2026
The Annual Giving Coast Luncheon celebrates the independent sector in the Sarasota and Manatee region featuring the Philanthropic Agenda With Community Foundations and the Good Hero Awards Program. Join us on December 9, 2026 at Michael's on East to celebrate our local heros. Tickets and tables are now available!
Michael's on East, 1212 S. East Avenue, Sarasota, FL
Ever wonder what goes into creating a circus? The Ringling's Canvas City exhibit offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people who make the spectacular entertainment venues come to life, from tentmakers and photographers to costume designers. See over 1,500 pieces, including circus costumes, leotards, band uniforms, animal blankets and more. Costumes on view will be rotated throughout the year as museum registrars review the collection and add notes and new photography to their records.
The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
This summer, Selby Gardens is excited to present an indoor and outdoor exhibition featuring the work of legendary American photographer, Lynn Goldsmith, who is renowned for both her celebrity portraits and fine art images. Goldsmith’s exhibition at the Downtown Sarasota campus will combine stunning images of flowers with intimate portraits of Selby Gardens’ artist in residence – Patti Smith. Visit selby.org for tickets.
Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota
Delightfully Funky Since 1997, Blase Martini Bar in Siesta Key Village has been Sarasota’s cozy, funky go-to for inventive food, handcrafted martinis, and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. It’s perfect for date nights or casual hangouts—offering bold flavors, expertly mixed drinks, and a setting that feels both relaxed and refreshingly unique. Join us for the launch of our Summer Pizza & Martini Menu, featuring hand-tossed specialty Pizzas, Pineapple Upside Down Vodka Martini for June, Siesta Suns Orange Vodka in July & Just Peachy Vodka Martini in August.
Blase Martini Bar in Siesta Key Village, 5263 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key
Celebrating its 17th year, the Venice Craft Festival showcases vendors throughout Downtown Venice on Labor Day Weekend. Visitors can explore a wide array of handmade items from jewelry and ceramics to coastal decor and candles. You can also bring your pets to this family-friendly event.
Downtown Venice, 200 Miami Ave. W, Venice
Celebrate two decades of community leadership and the lasting impact of investing in young people at the 20th Annual IPG Leadership Breakfast. This event will honor the legacy of those who have helped shape great futures while looking ahead to the next generation of leaders who will continue to strengthen Sarasota and DeSoto Counties for years to come.
Lee Wetherington Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota, 3100 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota
Joseph Kesselring's classic comedy is coming to Bradenton this fall with a blend of mystery, mayhem and outrageous humor. Drama critic Mortimer Brewster discovers that the sweet, elderly aunts who raised him have an unsettling hobby: poisoning lonely old men with arsenic-laced elderberry wine. Brewster tries to manage his aunts and his psychotic brother while frantically attempting to cover up the crimes.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave. W, Bradenton
Facilitated by poet Doug Knowlton, Bookstore1Sarasota hosts an advanced poetry writing workshop every Wednesday this September. Expect close reading, generative exercises and thoughtful critique in this five-session, five-week program. Participants should come ready to share work and engage seriously with others' writing in a collaborative and supportive space. Tickets include a writing journal.
Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
More than 30 Creative Liberties artists come together for a group exhibition showcasing the range of talent, styles and perspectives within the Creative Liberties community. An opening reception will be held on September 16 from 5pm-7pm.
Creative Liberties at ARCOS, 340 Central Ave., Sarasota
Named after the mother of the Hubble Space Telescope, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will pair a large field of view with crisp infrared vision to scan vast, deep swaths of the sky and help astronomers explore dark matter, dark energy and exoplanets. This live launch event will include a live stream of the rocket launch on the planetarium dome, along with a NASA presentation titled Expanding Our View. Outreach tables, activities and prizes are available. Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries.
The Planetarium at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W, Bradenton
Celebrating 15 years of Strider Cup World Championships, this event will bring together hundreds of toddlers and preschoolers from across the globe to the same track that Olympians will be racing on to qualify for LA28. Register your 2-, 3- or 4-year-olds to race on their Strider Bike; no other balance bike brands are allowed. Non-racers and families are welcome to join in and attend the event. Local vendors, games and giveaways are available, along with a beach party on October 11.
Sarasota BMX, 1590 N Tuttle Ave., Sarasota
This gripping musical journey by Karl Jenkins is widely recognized as the most performed classical work by a living composer. Hear musical traditions and texts from cultures around the world that echo a universal plea for peace. The Armed Man moves audiences from conflict to hope in this unforgettable concert experience presented by Key Chorale, with guest artist Amanda Crider.
First United Methodist Church, 104 S Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
Opening the fall 2026–spring 2027 season at SPAACES, this exhibit showcases artists who work outside the public eye. Curator Yosnier Miranda brings together artists who maintain dedicated, disciplined studio practices while choosing not to exhibit their work publicly. Bedroom Communities offers a rare opportunity to encounter work that has largely remained unseen despite years of thoughtful and passionate creation.
SPAACES, 2051 Princeton St., Sarasota
Directed by Preston Boyd, this bold new drama explores guilt, redemption and the search for light in a world shattered by violence. A haunted young Latino gang member and an aging rabbi form an unlikely bond inside a crumbling East L.A. synagogue, now used as a community center. Blending humor, poetry, rap and prayer, the performance asks whether broken souls can find a way to heal.
The Sarasota Players, 3501 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Open to ages 5-19, this tournament is an awesome opportunity for young anglers to enjoy some friendly competition. Bring your rod and reel, and arrive by 8am for an 8:30am check-in. The tournament begins at 9am.
Lake Uihlein, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Bradenton
Enjoy fresh produce, local art, music and free family activities on Bradenton's Old Main Street every Saturday from October through May. Local farmers, artisans and chefs share their talents, and you'll always be greeted with a smile from the market vendors.
Old Main Street, 400 12th St. W, Bradenton
In its third year, this Wellen Park festival invites family and friends into a traditional Oktoberfest atmosphere with German dancers, a live polka band, a stein-hoisting competition and plenty of beer and brats. Experience the inaugural keg tapping and hear the DeLeon Family Oktoberfest Band with three generations of accordion players. Food and drink options include Banyan House, La Maison, Pop Dawgs and more. Parking lots and street parking are available along Sunglow Boulevard and Springtide Way.
Downtown Wellen Park, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd, Venice
Based on the novel by Bram Stoker and adapted by Ren Pearson, The Players Studio Black Box invites audiences into the shadows with one of the most iconic Gothic tales ever written. Mysterious, thrilling, romantic and terrifying, Dracula will explore fear, obsession and the darkness that lives just beneath the surface.
The Players Studio Black Box, 1400 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota
Art immersion class for children ages 6-18. Small classes with fine arts materials. Visit linarinconart.com for more information and to register.
Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Creative Academy, 927 N Lime Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237
The summer 2026 exhibition at Selby Gardens will celebrate the creative collaboration between two legendary figures and longtime friends, photographer Lynn Goldsmith and singer-songwriter Patti Smith, who is Selby Gardens’ artist in residence. The exhibition will feature Goldsmith’s photographs of Smith, past and present, in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. The images will offer an intimate portrait of an iconic artist over the course of her remarkable career.
Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236
This long-term installation in Gallery 10 of the Museum of Art showcases five outstanding examples of 17th-century Dutch painting on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Featuring a dramatic seascape, an expansive landscape, and captivating portraits set in detailed interiors, this exhibition offers a window into the vibrant artistic production of the Netherlands as the small nation rose to global prominence in the 17th century. The five exceptional paintings from the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, complement The Ringling's holdings of Dutch art and provide additional perspective on the artistry, historical significance, and continuing appeal of Dutch painting from this period.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
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