Community Calendar

Award-winning and internationally recognized artist Janet Echelman (American) is renowned for her soaring installations that merge ancient craft with cutting-edge technology. Using centuries-old fishing net knotting techniques, Echelman transforms humble materials into ethereal sculptures that visualize natural phenomena and the interconnectedness of humanity and the environment.
Radical Softness offers a rare, intimate look at Echelman’s artistic evolution, tracing her journey from early explorations in drawing, painting, and textiles to the monumental, netted sculptures that have redefined public spaces around the world. This exhibition contextualizes the artist’s practice, revealing the narratives, influences, and processes that drive her work. At its core, the exhibition highlights Echelman’s use of softness as a powerful tool—not only in material but as a philosophy. Showcasing a selection of works from across all four decades of the artist’s path-breaking career, along with a series of never-before-seen cyanotypes, Radical Softness reveals how an artist’s work can bring people together and carve out space for reflection in an ever-changing world.
Founded in New York City and based in Boston, Studio Echelman’s impact is global. A recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship, Harvard Loeb Fellowship, Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award, Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellowship, and Fulbright Lectureship, her monumental sculptures span five continents. Recent commissions include Remembering the Future at the MIT Museum (2025), Butterfly Rest Stop in Frisco, Texas (2024), Current in Columbus, Ohio (2023), Bending Arc at the St. Pete Pier in Florida (2020), Earthtime Korea (2020), Impatient Optimist at The Gates Foundation in Seattle (2015), and 1.8 Renwick at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (2015), among others.
Janet Echelman: Radical Softness is organized by Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design and curated by Lacie Barbour, associate curator of exhibitions at Sarasota Art Museum.

Image: Janet Echelman (American). Study (Butterfly Rest Stop 1/9 scale), Rome, Italy, 2022. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Giovanni DeAngelis.

New works by Selina Román blend photography, abstraction, and self-portraiture to explore themes of beauty and the politics of size in Selina Román: Abstract Corpulence. Roman’s photographs feature tightly cropped images of the artist’s own body, boldly occupying the full composition and extending past the boundaries of each frame. Pastel bodysuits and tights transform the artist’s flesh into new, gently rolling landscapes as amorphous shapes converge to create modernist-inspired compositions. At this scale, Roman’s tightly cropped portrayals of stomachs, thighs, and hips become formal studies of line, shape and color, asking viewers to consider the human form from a point of true abstraction. The softly hued palette created by the artist’s bodysuits lends itself to narratives around the aesthetics of femininity. Displayed as a colorful never-before-seen installation, Roman’s photographs transform the gallery into a space of quiet resistance, subverting traditional ideas of feminine beauty.

Selina Román: Abstract Corpulence is organized by Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design and curated by Rangsook Yoon, senior curator at Sarasota Art Museum.

Image credit: Selina Román (American, 1978). Blockhead 1, 2025. Dye sublimation on aluminum, 40 x 50 in. Courtesy of the artist.

USF’s world-renowned print atelier proudly presents a temporary exhibition in its main gallery celebrating the rich legacy of women artists who have collaborated with Graphicstudio over the decades. Showcasing the work of ten influential artists from the studio’s history—Diana Al-Hadid, Trisha Brown, Elisabeth Condon, Lesley Dill, Nancy Graves, Iva Gueorguieva, Graciela Iturbide, Mernet Larsen, Andrea Modica, and Janina Tschäpe—the exhibition highlights the remarkable diversity and innovation these women bring to the field of contemporary art.

Spanning a wide range of artistic practices, the featured works explore the boundaries of printmaking through experimental techniques that merge photography, sculpture, and mixed media assemblage. Together, they reflect the dynamic and evolving role of women in the printmaking tradition and the enduring creative impact of Graphicstudio’s collaborative model.

Graphicstudio is open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. Free parking is easily available for visitors. Closed on the weekends and USF holidays: November 11, 27 and 28, December 22 through January 2, and January 19.

Folding paper is relaxing, mindful and enjoyable. Something we could all use right now. It is a lifetime hobby accessible by everyone at any age.

Be warned though, it is addicting and the possibilities are endless. You meet the nicest people and make the coolest things with a piece of paper. These North Stars are an example of that. They are 3D and this model has the neatest folds/moves. Learning origami is like dancing with paper!

Monthly Origami with Nati is held the third Saturday of the month from 10a - 12p.

We will be having a special Japanese tea tasting courtesy of The Noisy Crane Tea House.

Beginners welcome. All materials supplied. This event is free and open to the public. Donations are greatly appreciated. Registration required so we know how many to prepare for. Seating is limited to 15 people.

Origami is a very relaxing, fun and meditative experience. Come join us and meet fellow origami enthusiasts!

Imagine Museum proudly participates in Museums for All — simply present your SNAP Benefit card and photo ID to one of our associates upon arrival and enjoy $3.00 admission to the museum. Children ages 6 and under are free.

Join us for an artistic journey geared toward young artventurers every Saturday! Led by our friendly associates, children ages 4-11 will be guided through our world-class glass art galleries. They will then have the opportunity to unleash their imagination and express themselves with a fun and engaging craft activity.

Local Artisans will be selling gift-worthy items at the Artsy Indie Markets on Saturdays in November and December. Included are paintings, drawings, jewelry, pottery, yard art, photographs, prints, stickers, magnets, cards, ornaments and more! The markets will be held in the front yard at GCAA ArtWorks gallery at 5546 1st Ave. N.

While you’re there, come inside for the “Gift of Art” show and sale. That’s the members holiday exhibition of small handmade gifts and ornaments.

And there will be a table of gently used art supplies, craft items, books and vintage jewelry for sale.

Support your local artists while doing your Holiday shopping!

Jody Goldman Exhibit
Saturdays, January 3-24, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Arts Advocates Gallery, The Crossings at Siesta Key mall, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239 | ArtsAdvocates.org
Jody has always been interested in creating art but not until 2019 did she have the opportunity to immerse herself in the creative process. During her extensive airline career, Jody had the opportunity to see the abundance of wildlife in their diverse natural settings in over 50 countries, and she now uses her art to bring attention to endangered species, their habitats, and the delicate balance we have in nature. This exhibit is sponsored by Observer Media Group.

Go nose to nose with Big John, the World’s Largest Triceratops, in an immersive and playful dinosaur exhibit at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Downtown Tampa. Whether you have a child at home or not, all are welcome to visit this colossal exhibit, 66 million years in the making.

The exhibit introduces visitors to historical characters of the American Revolution. Interactive displays and beautiful illustrations are telling the story of our American History. Monday, January 18th & 19th, we will have Abigail Adams and Friday and Saturday, January 23rd and 24th, George Washington's War Tent will be on-site. First time on display in Florida. This will be great for families, homeschool students, or classroom field trips.