Tag Archives: art

Looking Into the Crystal Ball Sarasota


The Sarasota Selby Public Library was the location for the 3rd Annual Crystal Ball Fundraiser.  The Friends of the Selby Library put on this casual fundraiser featuring local restaurants, a variety of entertainers and artists to support the library. This event had something for everyone – with music from pop to jazz, ballroom dancers, fire dancing, belly dancing and magic.  Foodies enjoyed tasty bites from numerous local chefs.
Video by studiof.com

Siesta Key Florida – Crystal Classic Master Sandsculpting Competition 2011 Winners

The 2nd annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Competition was held in November 2011 on Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida. This contest drew international sculptors and over 40,000 visitors to Siesta Beach. This video features the World Sandsculpting Doubles Champions – Karen Fralich and Dan Belcher. This team won First Place, the People’s Choice award and the coveted Sculptors’ Choice award.
The 3rd annual event will take place on Siesta Key Beach from November 9-12, 2012.
Make your plans now to attend.

Sarasota has a Google Fashion Event as Part of SRQ Fashion Week

Take models in plain white undies, add a projector displaying clothes from a Google image search and you’ve got an event that’s fun for the models and audience alike.  The music of DJ Imminent set the beat for models who danced, posed and generally had fun!
SRQ Fashion Week has lots of things to do, and this event at Home Resources combined art. design and technology.  See some of the event activities here:

Sarasota Towles Court Kite Day Fun

Children and adults had fun making kites at Artists on the Court, a new gallery in Towles Court.  Since things to do in Sarasota slow down during summer, this free community art event was a welcome activity.
Kathleen Johnson invited the community to come and help decorate her gallery by creating kites to decorate the gallery on opening night.

Sarasota Payne Skate Park

The Sarasota Payne Park skating facility is now operated by Sk8skool. In 2010, they took over operation of the skate park from the city of Sarasota. Sk8skool operates it as a not-for-profit organization. Sofia Maldonado is a New York muralist and a skater. Recently she designed a mural and worked with students from Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences, Booker High School and Southeast High School to execute the design in the Payne Skate Park bowl. This new mural is a vibrant addition to a park that already has skater inspired art. Extended hours and lower rates draw local skaters. And if you’re vacationing in Sarasota, add the skateboarding at the park to your list of things to do.

Sarasota Towles Court Artwalk

The third Friday of each month, Towles Court artists open their studios to the public.  From 6-10 pm, you can enjoy free music and refreshments while you stroll through this historic community of old Florida bungalows.  Named one of the top ten artist’s colonies in the country by Coastal Living, Towles Court also includes galleries and open air restaurants.  The artwalk is very popular with tourists during season, and locals know that off season allows for a less crowded visit.  New residents arrive regularly, so if you haven’t been to the artwalk in a while,  mark your calendar for the third Friday next month!

Sarasota Downtown Friday Night

Live Downtown, It’s Friday Night! The 1st Friday night each month, you should be  downtown Sarasota for live music, dancing, gallery shows and shopping. This is a free event that attracts locals and visitors to browse our wonderful art galleries to the accompaniment of a wide range of entertainment.  On this Friday, you could hear an incredible local string duo Bard and Mustache – Erin Murphy (the Equines) and Greg Bortnichak (Sparta Philharmonic).  Just down the street, you could see the Sarasota Ballet’s students at Studio 20.  In the mood for something Latin?  The exciting Duente duo of Joe Matsagos and Dean Johanesen offered flamenco while Wilsons DanceSport dancers entertained the crowd.  And, just for fun, Ollie and the Garbage Men, local teenagers who play instruments made from garbage and recycled materials.  I’d say there was something for everyone!