Hermitage Artist Retreat expands programming with lakefront 'Sunsets@Benderson Park' series

Special to the Herald-Tribune
·4 min read
The eerily inviting "Lights at Spooky Point" next to Little Sarasota Bay. Selby Gardens' Halloween light show at its Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey kicks off on Oct. 13 and runs through Halloween. “Our lighting partners at Affairs in the Air did such an amazing job last year, and we know they will surprise us with some new creations for 2023,” Selby Gardens president Jennifer Rominiecki said. Tickets can be purchased through selby.org or in person at Selby Gardens' Downtown Sarasota or Historic Spanish Point campus.

Hermitage Artist Retreat plans 'Sunsets@Benderson Park' series

The Hermitage Artist Retreat is partnering with Nathan Benderson Park to launch the “Hermitage Sunsets@Benderson Park” program this fall.

Each program in the Hermitage Sunsets@Benderson Park series will feature performances and explorations of works-in-progress by Hermitage artists-in-residence and alumni. The events are scheduled to take place at Benderson Lake near the Nathan Benderson Family Finish Tower (5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota).

The first event is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. with Hermitage Fellows Terry Guest and James Anthony Tyler. The two theater talents will share some of their latest work and discuss the creative process. The program is presented in partnership with the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Urbanite Theatre, and Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy. Registration ($5/person) is required at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

“We are excited to welcome Sarasota and Gulf Coast audiences to another fantastic venue where they can share a magical evening with Hermitage artists against the beautiful backdrop of Nathan Benderson Park’s lakefront location,” Hermitage CEO Andy Sandberg said. “Much like our beach programs on Manasota Key and other locations throughout Sarasota and Manatee County, these events will offer our community the opportunity to experience a sneak peek into these extraordinary artists’ creative process.”

Music Compound celebrates 2023 Rock Your Summer Reading winner

Jewel Love Jackson, 11, was recently honored as the Music Compound's Rock Your Summer Reading initiative grand prize winner.

Jewel Love Jackson, 11, read over 60 books this summer and was the grand prize winner in the Music Compound's Rock Your Summer Reading initiative.
Jewel Love Jackson, 11, read over 60 books this summer and was the grand prize winner in the Music Compound's Rock Your Summer Reading initiative.

Each year on June 1, the Music Compound encourages participants to read 50 books or more to be eligible to be entered into the grand prize drawing for a party at Music Compound’s “Studio 32." Jackson, a sixth-grader, read over 60 books this summer and won a party featuring pizza from Solarzano’s, a bounce house donated by Let’s Jump Rentals, SRQ PhotoBooth, and treats donated by Crumbl Cookie.

Jackson, who enjoys mystery books, began by reading the “Percy Jackson” series. This was the third year she participated in the program. “The Rock Your Summer Reading Program has not only encouraged my daughter to read but has also sparked her imagination and given her the confidence to write her own book,” said her mother, Melody Jackson.

This year, 297 students participated, nearly 5,000 books were read, and 80 young readers qualified for the grand prize drawing. The program is open to all area children. For information, contact Music Compound at info@musiccompound.com or 941-379-9100.

Supervisor of Elections hosting 'I Voted' contest for students

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner is challenging middle and high school students to design a new “I Voted” sticker for Sarasota County voters.

The winning design will be announced next spring and used as the official “I Voted” sticker given to voters during the November 2024 Presidential General Election. The winning design will also be displayed at elections offices in Sarasota, Venice and North Port.

Entries must be submitted through a designated art teacher by email (StickerContest@SarasotaVotes.gov), by mail (Sticker Contest, Supervisor of Elections, P.O. Box 4194, Sarasota, FL 34230), or dropped off at one of three elections offices. For rules and entry forms, visit SarasotaVotes.gov/sticker-contest. The deadline is Jan. 26.

Around and about

The Polish-American Association of Sarasota will celebrate the fifth annual General Casimir Pulaski Day on Sunday at 3 p.m. at JD Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota. Info: PolishSarasota.org; 941-313-2243; contact@PolishSarasota.org.

· The Manatee-Sarasota Sierra Club is meeting on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at Unity of Sarasota, 3023 Proctor Road, Sarasota, for a report on the state of fish and wildlife in the region. Adam Brown of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be the speaker. Info: sierraclub.org/florida/manatee-sarasota.

· Halloween Notte at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte, opens on Oct. 13 for three consecutive weekends. The event features a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, bounce houses, a maze, games, and haunted houses. Visit halloweennotte.com for tickets and times.

· Town Square University Parkway (8450 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota), in partnership with 75 businesses, will host a Health Expo on Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring more than 55 vendors, educational presentations, demonstrations, free vaccinations and food trucks. Info: townsquare.net/event/health-expo.

· Global Tree Lovers of Sarasota-Bradenton is hosting sound designer the Master Plants Orchestra on Oct. 14 at Unity of Sarasota, 3023 Proctor Road. The concert involves converting electrical impulses from plants into musical tones. Tickets ($20) available at the door. Info: masterplants.net; globaltreelovers.org.

Submissions by Greg Luberecki, The Hermitage, Sharon Kunkel, Tyson Pruitt, Mark Pienkos, Gerlinde Kohl, Skyler Betts, Anne Cederberg.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Hermitage Artist Retreat plans lakefront artists series at Benderson Park