Are you a “museum person”? If so, what, exactly, is a museum?

I used to ask myself that question when my children were of the age to go to “children’s museums.” Often, the experience of play (central to any self-respecting museum for kids) took the form of pretend grocery stores or penguin costumes or any number of activities where the collection, so to speak, was actually my family and all the others who were there to learn and enjoy.

Of course, that’s not always what we think of when we think about museums. So, once more, what exactly is a museum?

The word derives from the ancient Greek word “mouseion” and it means a place dedicated to the Muses. You know, those nine goddesses who inspired arts and culture! The Muses were the daughters of Mnemosyne, herself the goddess of memory. So, from this perspective, a museum connects creativity, knowledge, art, and preservation.

And Sarasota Art Museum (SAM) of Ringling College of Art and Design—did you know it was part of Ringling College?—is an excellent example of these wonderful connections. If you haven’t visited, you have likely driven past: it’s the old Sarasota High School that, through the work of many dedicated founders, became an amazing example of adaptive architectural reuse.

Here’s a great example: The wooden floors on the second and third floors are made from reclaimed Florida longleaf heart pine. Some estimates suggest the wood is between 200 and 600 years old and first came from the forests near Parrish in Manatee County. Before its use as SAM’s floor, the wood was part of the structural joists of the high school, and it’s no exaggeration to say that the wood that once supported generations of students now supports the arts. The tie-in with our local ecosystem makes it extra special.

Of course, when you visit—and we invite you to visit!—we also want you to look up from the ground and admire the art all around you. The exhibits change seasonally, and three new exhibits have just debuted on the second floor.

First, there is Presence: The Photography Collection of Judy Glickman Lauder (Now–April 4, 2027). This showcase brings together more than 100 iconic photographs by over 50 artists, including Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, Gordon Parks, Dorothea Lange, and James Van Der Zee. The exhibition explores photography’s power to preserve memory, document history, and show the range of human experience (hey, that’s a museum thing!). You’ll find images of everyone from Marilyn Monroe and Mick Jagger to the Danish writer Isak Dinesen, as well as Glickman Lauder’s own striking work documenting World War II concentration camps. She also appears as the subject in her father’s photography, which became the basis for Kodak’s memorable “Turn Around” television commercial in the 1960s. It’s a great example of mid-century advertising.

Second, you can find the astounding Chie Fueki: Painting the Floating World (Now–April 4, 2027). Fueki is a 1996 alum of Ringling College, and this exhibit covers 25 years of her impressive career. The compositions are vividly colored and mix drawing, painting, and collaged mulberry paper. There are portraits, still lifes, and landscape paintings, with work that combines Western painting techniques and Japanese ukiyo-e traditions to illustrate an enchanting “floating world.”

Third, we have Eszter Sziksz, a current Ringling College Fine Arts faculty member and Fulbright U.S. Scholar. Seeking, I Don’t Know What I’m Looking For (And I Hope I Never Find It) (Now–April 4, 2027) asks visitors to enter into an interactive installation of wax paper hanging from the ceiling. Using magnifying glasses, visitors can read (or not!) philosophical musings inspired by thinkers such as Plato and Camus as they move through the strips of fragile paper. The words are pressed into the paper without ink, making the act of discovery part of the experience.

I can’t fully describe the experience in words, and that’s the point of all of these works: to visit a museum is to visit a place that you can’t simply read about or watch on your phone. To be in a place where creativity, memory, and knowledge come together—and to also grab an artisanal meal in a world-class Bistro, stroll through the old high school, and visit the new Natural Curiosity, a brand-new playscape on SAM’s Great Lawn designed by The Urban Conga to encourage creativity and exploration through play—well, the Muses will smile upon you.

And that brings us back to those children’s museums. Whether we’re contemplating an amazing photograph, discovering a new idea, or watching children play, SAM is not just a place to look at things: it’s a place to experience them.

Sarasota Art Museum, located at 1001 South Tamiami Trail, is open seven days a week, 11 am–5 pm. Thanks to generous funding from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, admission is free for everyone on the second Sunday of each month (Free Second Sundays at SAM), with special performances and art-making activities for the whole family. SAM’s Bistro is open daily, 10 am–3 pm. Learn more at the Museum’s website, www.SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

See you there!

Dr. Davis Schneiderman is the President of Ringling College of Art and Design. 

Pictured: Seeking (detail), 2026. Sarasota Art Museum. Photo: Nancy Guth.

Ten Sarasota County businesses employing a combined 260 people have joined the inaugural cohort of our Sarasota County CEO Academy. These companies already make a meaningful contribution to our economy, and they are ready to grow.

Getting to know the people behind our local businesses is one of the things I appreciate most about my work. They have taken risks, persevered through challenges and created opportunities for others along the way.

These companies have moved beyond startup, established customers and built teams. They have considerable success behind them and the desire to keep growing.

These are second-stage companies.

GrowFL, Florida’s nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting second-stage companies, describes them as businesses with at least six employees, a minimum of $750,000 in annual revenue and an intent to grow. They represent just 10% of Florida’s businesses but generate more than 30% of its jobs.

For these second-stage CEOs and owners, growth brings new demands. Many remain closely involved in daily operations, customer relationships and decisions throughout the business. Creating time for strategy while keeping everything moving can be a challenge.

The next stage of growth may require developing managers, reaching new markets or building systems that allow the business to grow without compromising quality. Even experienced leaders benefit from having someone help them think through priorities and turn plans into action.

That is why the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County created the Sarasota County CEO Academy.

Our inaugural cohort brings a combined 200 years of business experience. Through May, these leaders will work with experienced advisors, participate in personal coaching and work alongside peers who understand the responsibilities of leading a growing company.

Over the next nine months, the Academy will give participants a place to work through immediate growth priorities with practical guidance, candid discussion and support tailored to their businesses.

With 260 people already employed by these companies, helping them grow has real significance for our community. Their growth will create career opportunities for residents, new business for local suppliers and a stronger Sarasota County’s economy.

These business owners have already invested so much here. We want to help them build on that success and create more opportunities for people to build their futures in Sarasota County.

Learn more at edcsarasotacounty.com/ceoacademy.

Erin Silk is the President and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. 

Leading a business has never been for the faint of heart. Some days, the waters are calm, the winds are at your back, and everything seems to be moving in the right direction. Other days, you're navigating unexpected challenges, making difficult decisions, and doing your best to keep your team moving forward.

The reality is that leadership requires us to navigate both.

Yesterday, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce celebrated our 106th Annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon, presented by Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. It was a wonderful opportunity to bring together hundreds of business and community leaders to celebrate our accomplishments, recognize outstanding leadership, and look toward the opportunities ahead.

One of the highlights of our afternoon was hearing from Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, former President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises and former Vice Chairman of External Affairs for Royal Caribbean Group. Lisa knows a thing or two about navigating calm and stormy seas, both literally and figuratively.

Her remarkable leadership journey offers an important reminder for all of us in business: You can't control the winds, but you can determine how you chart your course.

Whether you're leading a company of five employees or five thousand, the challenges are real. Economic uncertainty, workforce pressures, changing customer expectations, and the constant demands of running a business require resilience, adaptability, and courage.

And perhaps most importantly, they require a true north.

For me, true north represents the values, purpose, and principles that guide our decisions, particularly when the path forward isn't clear. It's knowing what matters most, surrounding yourself with talented people, and having the courage to make difficult decisions while staying grounded in your mission.

Our Annual Meeting also marked an important leadership transition for the Sarasota Chamber.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Jennifer Rominiecki, President and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, for her outstanding service as Chairman of our Board of Directors. Jennifer has led with wisdom, thoughtfulness, and an unwavering commitment to our business community. Her leadership has made our Chamber stronger, and I am personally grateful for her partnership, encouragement, and friendship.

We are equally excited to welcome Matt Brockway, shareholder at Gunster, as our incoming Chairman. Matt brings tremendous business experience, a collaborative spirit, and a genuine passion for Sarasota. I look forward to working alongside him as we continue advancing the Chamber's mission of cultivating prosperity throughout our community.

As we begin another year, I'm reminded that the most successful organizations aren't necessarily those that encounter the fewest storms. They're the ones with strong leadership, a clear sense of purpose, and people who are willing to navigate the journey together.

To our more than 1,500 member businesses, thank you for your confidence, investment, and commitment to our community.

The seas ahead may not always be calm, but with our true north guiding us, I'm confident the best chapters of Sarasota's story are still ahead.

For more information about joining the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce or learning about the significance of being a member, visit www.sarasotachamber.com.

Heather Kasten is the President/CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.