Heralded 'Sarasota School' architect honored with AIA Florida Presidential Award

Heralded 'Sarasota School' architect gains AIA Florida Presidential Award

Sarasota architect Carl Abbott was recently honored with the Presidential Award at the 2023 AIA Florida Convention in Orlando for his work in "preserving the legacy of the Sarasota School of Architecture, forever cementing Florida's signature and contemporary vernacular architectural style."

Abbott also was interviewed at the convention for the AIA Florida Archives to record the importance of the Sarasota School of Architecture and his architectural career.

Abbott is the recipient of multiple awards and distinctions and has worked in Hawaii, in New York with I.M. Pei, and in London with fellow Yale classmates Lord Richard Rogers and Lord Norman Foster. He has lectured extensively and taught studios at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. His most recent commission, according to the Sarasota Art Museum, is a residence on Casey Key completed in 2019.

Brunch on the Bay fundraiser puts focus on USFSM expansion

Tickets are on sale for Brunch on the Bay, the annual fundraiser that supports USF Sarasota-Manatee student scholarships and campus initiatives.

The Nov. 5 fundraiser, which features culinary specialties from local restaurants and caterers, also will include a sneak peek at USFSM's $42 million campus expansion project. A new student center and residence hall, set to open in fall 2024, will be home for up to 200 USF students who will enjoy the first chance to live on the 17-year-old Sarasota-Manatee campus.

“Most people don't realize the expansion that's going on and how many more students USF will be able to serve because of the dollars that are brought in by Brunch on the Bay and the scholarships that we're creating,” said Rod Hershberger, chairman of PGT Innovations and co-chair of the event with Lisa Krouse. USF Federal Credit Union is title sponsor as part of a $1 million commitment in new support for scholarships and other programs. The credit union is sponsoring Brunch on the Bay through 2027.

Visit sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/brunch for ticket and sponsorship information. To view a video about Brunch on the Bay, including an interview with the co-chairs, visit the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus YouTube channel.

Better Together Sarasota-Manatee to host info session for volunteers

Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, will host a Coffee & Conversations information session on Aug. 23 in Sarasota to help prospective volunteers learn more about the organization and how to get involved.

The event will take place on Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to noon at Norman Love Confections in University Town Center, 192 N. Cattlemen Road, Unit 7 in Sarasota. Registration is not required. “This volunteer informational session offers a no-pressure opportunity to learn more about our work to strengthen families. No commitment is required,” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together.

With roots in Southwest Florida and assistance from church communities and hundreds of volunteers, Better Together helps families cope with difficulties such as job loss, substance abuse, jail and homelessness. To date, the program has served over 5,900 children and helped nearly 39,000 job seekers find employment through church-based job fairs across 22 states. The nonprofit has served nearly 400 children in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Learn more at BetterTogetherUS.org/Better-Families/Volunteer.

Around and about ...

BUDS (Manasota Bringing Up Down Syndrome) will hold its 21st annual Buddy Walk fundraiser on Oct. 28 at Bayside Community Church, 15800 S.R. 64, in Bradenton. The event includes music with DJ MoTown Ross Brown, a silent auction, carnival games, a 50/50 raffle, and food and beverages. Enrollment, team signup, and sponsorship opportunities are available at manasotabuds.org.

· The Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) will host its annual black-tie fundraisesr, SPARCCle in Garden, on Nov. 3 at Marie Selby Botanical Garden. The event features dinner by Michael’s on East, music by The Bay Kings, raffles and auctions. Info/tickets and sponsorships: sparcc.net/events.

· The JoshProvides Epilepsy Assistance Foundation recently received a $7,500 grant from the Bishop Parker Foundations Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation. JoshProvides assists residents by offering access to its Epilepsy Support Group; transportation to medical appointments; seizure alert and detection devices; and help with the cost of medical services and treatment. Info: JoshProvides.org.

· The Literacy Council of Sarasota is offering tutor training workshops in September at Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center, 1750 17th St., in Sarasota for volunteers who want to help other adults improve their basic English skills. Info/registration: sarasotaliteracy.org or contact LCS Program Director Susan Bergstrom: 941-955-0421 or sbergstrom@sarasotaliteracy.org.

Submissions by Monica Yadav, AIA Florida, Marc Masferrer, Emily Golden, Claire Kunzman, Ning Tinsley, Andria Keil Bilan, Tom Melville.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 'Sarasota School' architect honored with AIA Florida Presidential Award