Take a guided tour of the paintings and sculptures owned by Arts Advocates on display at the Van Wezel. After that, step onto the stage where a Van Wezel guide will give you a peek behind the curtain and share stories and anecdotes about the colorful world of show business!

Since the mid-20th century, Sarasota has been globally recognized as an epicenter of innovative modern architecture and design, often referred to as the Sarasota School of Architecture. Our guest speaker is Morris (Marty) Hylton III, president of Architecture Sarasota, and his presentation will explore the organization’s efforts to document, preserve, and promote the region’s built and cultural heritage.

Luncheons at the Sarasota Yacht Club are sponsored by Observer Media Group. 

This is offered by OLLI at Ringling College in the Arts Advocates Gallery. 

The Highwaymen, self-taught artists who began painting in the mid-1950s, overcame the social conditions of the Jim Crow South and thrived as painters and entrepreneurs. Unable to sell their works in galleries, they sold their paintings from the trunks of their cars along Highway A1A. Join Stephenie Frasher for an in-depth look at six of the 26 Highwaymen artists: Alfred Hair, Al Black, Rodney Demps, James Gibson, John Maynor, and Sam Newton.

Robert "Bob" Chase was a remarkable individual whose life and work intersected with several notable personalities, including Marie Selby, Cecil B. DeMille, Charlton Heston, and Emmett Kelly. Bob, a World War II Air Force veteran, moved to Sarasota in 1947 to attend the Ringling School of Art under the G.I. Bill. For this art talk, we will interview Rick Sanders, Bob’s son-in-law, who has taken on the responsibility of preserving Bob’s stories, photographs, and artworks.

The story of Romeo and Juliet is an enduring theme in the arts. In this lecture, Marilyn Carminio will take us on a journey to Verona, Italy to the home of our protagonists while exploring the theme of love in art. Through video clips, we will look at how the story of Romeo and Juliet has been portrayed in the theatre, ballet, sculpture, music, opera, painting, and cinema. Additionally, we will look at what social psychologists say about love at first sight, unrequited love, and heartbreak. 

With Greg Rumph and students in Booker High School’s Visual & Performing Arts Program

Greg Rumph, artist, assistant principal and head of the renowned VPA program, will speak about preparing the next generation of artists. Student talent will be showcased!

The Sarasota Opera House Tour is a treasure trove of interesting facts and backstage information. Tour the theater with knowledgeable opera staff who will share the theater's fascinating past and inside information on Sarasota Opera's world-class productions.

Take a guided tour of the paintings and sculptures owned by Arts Advocates on display at the Van Wezel. After that, step onto the stage where a Van Wezel guide will give you a peek behind the curtain and share stories and anecdotes about the colorful world of show business!