Community Calendar

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.

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.

MAACM Luna Moth Glass Class
Tuesday, March 31 and April 7, 2026; 10am to 1pm
Long a cultural and spiritual symbol of transformation, this striking luna moth makes for a great decoration you can craft in this level 1 leaded glass class. Registration for this class includes two 3-hr glass sessions, 3/31 and 4/7. 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.

Join MFA Docent Dorothy Cappadona and scientists from the Tampa Bay Research Institute for a gallery talk that bridges sciences and art. Within the 20th Century Modern Art galleries of the MFA, see how artists get their inspiration from nature and how scientists see artistic elements in molecule connections!

MFA Spotlight Series | The Art in Molecule Connections
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
11:00 AM–12:00 PM
FREE for MFA Members; Included with the cost of admission for Not-Yet Members
Registration required.

Hear music from the Renaissance through modern eras performed on recorders and other period instruments, such as the viola da gamba. The concert includes informative introductions to the instruments as well as engaging insights into the music. This concert takes place in a charming, historic old church on the property of the Sarasota Historical Society and the musicians perform in period costumes.

Talkback Tuesday: Justin Gomlak – From Broadway to the Classroom: Building Creative Futures
April 7, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Arts Advocates Gallery, The Crossings at Siesta Key mall, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239 | ArtsAdvocates.org
Free for Arts Advocates members, $5 for nonmembers. Register at ArtsAdvocates.org.
Justin Gomlak is the Van Wezel’s director of education and community engagement. His journey is a masterclass in artistic evolution. From center stage on Broadway to the heart of arts education, he has built a career defined by versatility, passion, and purpose. A trained opera singer, retired Broadway dancer and actor, and now a respected arts educator and DEI practitioner, Gomlak brings a wealth of experience to every role he inhabits—onstage and off.

Overview
Learn to create an oil-free saucy Asian noodle bowl with plant-based nutrition that supports wellness, fiber intake, & rejuvenated skin.

Event Highlights:

🥢 Live cooking demonstration of a vibrant plant-based Asian noodle bowl

🌱 Learn two oil-free sauces from scratch: Creamy Dreamy Peanut & Wasabi-Lime

🍜 Practical techniques for prepping vegetables, handling rice noodles, and assembling balanced bowls

🎟️ Museum admission included with your ticket

Event Details:

📅 Date: April 7, 2026

⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

📍 Location: Imagine Museum

👥 Capacity: 24 guests

Experience:

Join certified plant-based chef and wellness instructor Chef Rita for a live cooking demonstration focused on vibrant, oil-free Asian cuisine. Watch step-by-step as she prepares a colorful noodle bowl with fresh vegetables and tender rice noodles while demonstrating two flavorful sauces made completely from scratch.Chef Rita specializes in plant-based cooking for weight loss and women’s health, helping people build confidence in the kitchen while creating nourishing meals that support long-term wellness.

🎟️ Reserve your seat today. With only 24 spots available, this intimate demonstration offers the chance to learn directly from Chef Rita and take home simple techniques you can use in everyday cooking.

EXTENDED THROUGH APRIL 19

From Billy Joel to Alicia Keys, from Ray Charles to Freddie Mercury, Three Pianos celebrates the piano legends who refused to play by the rules. These aren’t your cookie-cutter rock stars: they’re the rebels, romantics, and risk-takers who turned 88 keys into pure magic. Enjoy timeless favorites like “Crocodile Rock,” “Just the Way You Are,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I’m Still Standing,” and “Beautiful.” From the soulful sway of Fats Domino to the anthemic joy of Elton John, this high-energy musical revue proves that when you follow your own tune, the music never stops.