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.

MAACM Harmony in Glass: The Fibonacci Spiral Glass Class
January 9 and 16, 2026 10:00am-1pm
The Fibonacci spiral represents harmony, balance, and growth. It is believed to symbolize the interconnectedness and inherent order found in nature. Now you can create it as your own leaded glass panel in this popular level 1 project. Registration for this class includes two 3-hr glass sessions. Closed-toed shoes are required to participate in class. Class fee: Non-members: $125, Members $110.

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.

Pangarap: Espero Reimagined transforms The Maitland Art Center gallery into a canvas of speculative storytelling under Filipino artist Isobel Francisco. Inspired by Jules André Smith’s decision to establish an artist colony in Florida, Francisco envisions an alternate reality where this decision leads to 1937 Philippines. The exhibition features fictional artifacts and artworks to encourage viewers to explore the parallels and contrasts between this imagined scenario and the museum’s history. 'Pangarap,' meaning dream or vision in Filipino, invites audiences to reflect on the cultural impact of one artist’s decision in 1937 and beyond.

Tampa Bay’s number one family-friendly Halloween event, Creatures of the Night, returns eerier than ever this fall. Perfect for all ages, the frightful, fun-filled event features howling outdoor experiences, amusing shows, spooky characters, creepy culinary treats and much more on thirteen select nights through October 26!
This year’s event features a new colossal adventure, Mesozoic Mayhem, a bone-chilling scare zone where ancient beasts roam once more and chaos ensues after scientists tamper with nature. Guests encounter life-size dinosaurs, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement and just the right amount of fright that proves that eerie fun never goes extinct.

Creatures of the Night takes place on 13 select nights in September and October from 4pm to 10pm.

Event nights are September 26 (members-only night), September 27, Oct. 3-4, Oct. 10-12, Oct. 17-19, and Oct. 24-26.

General admission tickets after 4PM are $29.95 (Friday & Sunday), $34.95 (Saturday), and can be purchased online at zootampa.org.

An Evening of Broadway Cabaret featuring Valerie diLorenzo
Presented by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Friday, Jan. 9, 4-6 pm
Sarasota Art Museum, Ringling College Museum Campus, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
$35 | 941-309-5111 • olliringlingcollege.org
Prepare for an evening of showstopping classics and soaring melodies! Join Valerie diLorenzo as she whisks you away through tales of love, longing, and laughter while bringing to life some of our most beloved musical moments. Whether it’s the razzle-dazzle of Chicago, the heartfelt memories of Les Misérables, or the captivating charm of Annie, this celebration of music promises to be an evening of joy!

Kick off your weekend under the stars at the Friday Night Moonlight Market at The Hub at Bexley! Enjoy live music, explore unique finds from local vendors, and discover special Friday night deals from nearby restaurants, including adult beverages to sip while you shop. Bring the whole family – including your furry friends – to this fun, family- and pet-friendly event! Join us for an evening filled with local charm, music, and Friday night vibes in Land O Lakes!

2nd Fridays Creative Happy Hour brings the party to the gallery and transforms Art Center Sarasota into a vibrant hub of creativity, conversation, and connection.

Local filmmaker and film historian Danny Canton presents Alfred Hitchcock’s suspenseful masterpiece Vertigo. Enjoy popcorn, adult beverages, and a thrilling deep dive into the film’s twists, symbolism, and cinematic legacy—guided by Danny’s expert (and entertaining!) perspective. $15 for New Friends of the Art Center, FREE for Members.