MOAA scholarships
The Library Foundation receives
Foundation grant of $25,000
The Sarasota County Library Foundation received a $25,000 donation from the California-based Anspar Foundation.
“Growing up in Sarasota, I always considered going to the library a treat, so I know how important and appreciated libraries are to the community,” said Anspar President Michael Lewis, a graduate in 1990 from Pine View School. “I am happy that the Anspar Foundation can play a role in helping to secure their future.
The nonprofit Library Foundation has raised more than $8 million in private funds since its inception in 2011 to benefit Sarasota County Public Libraries. To learn more, visit SarasotaLibraryFoundation.org or call 941-404-3139
“We are grateful for this incredibly generous donation,” said Alisa Mitchell, CEO of the Library Foundation. “The past two years have demonstrated how essential unrestricted donations like this are in helping us respond quickly to unexpected needs, whether it’s increased digital collections or improved technology.
Names of Hermitage Artists’ Retreats
state teaching artist residents
Five Florida public school art teachers have been chosen to participate in the 12th Annual State Teachers Artist Residency Program presented by the Hermitage Artist Retreat in partnership with the Florida Alliance for Arts Education.
The recipients were selected from dozens of applicants and include three visual arts educators, a conductor and music theory teacher, and a dance teacher. Each will receive a summer residency to focus on their own work and craft as a creative artist.
The residence halls were Brooke Adkinsdance teacher at Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange; Charles Eadyvisual arts teacher at Belleview High; Jessie Hobbiesart teacher at DS Parrott Middle School in Brooksville; Jennifer Rodriguez, ceramics teacher at JM Tate High School in Cantonment; and Zoe Staymanmusic teacher at the LaVilla School of the Arts in Jacksonville.
The group will present a showcase of their work on July 15 at 2 p.m. at the Hermitage’s oceanfront campus in Manasota Key (6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood). The program is presented in partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. Register ($5) at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
Rock your summer reading
returns to Music Compound
The Music Compound has launched its Rock Your Summer Reading initiative, a partnership with area businesses that offers treats, experiences and special prizes to young people for every five books they read.
The program runs until August 5. As the number of books a child reads increases, the value of prizes increases. All participants who have read 50 or more books are eligible for a grand prize draw for a party of up to 20 people at Music Compound’s “Studio 32”.
Summer reading events include three workshops with local author Sienna Alfano, 10. Alfano will present sessions on poetry (July 12, 1:30 p.m.), fiction writing (July 13, 1:30 p.m.) and documentary writing (July 14, 1:30 p.m.) in two-hour shows at the Music Compound, 1751 Cattlemen Road. To participate in Summer Reading or learn more, visit RockYourSummerReading.com; write to info@musiccompound.com; or call 941-379-9100.
Venice Farmer’s Market
get a new event handler
The City of Venice recently awarded Independent Jones, a private events and entertainment company, a one-year license agreement, renewable annually, to serve as the new Market Manager for the Venice Farmers’ Market.
The Venice Farmers Market, 401 W. Venice Ave, offers an array of baked goods, wild seafood, Florida-grown produce, cheeses, locally roasted coffee, artisan soaps and fresh-cut flowers on Saturdays. Guests also enjoy community music and art coordinated by Independent Jones.
“After five years running the Venice Farmers Market on behalf of Friends of Sarasota County Parks, I plan to retire and spend time traveling,” said current manager Lee Perron. “I know I will leave the Venice Farmers Market in good shape and in safe hands.”
Independent Jones coordinated several markets in Manatee and Sarasota counties, including The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton Public Market, Rosemary Night Market, and the Sarasota Farmers Market (Acting Market Manager). For more information, visit thevenicefarmersmarket.org and Independentjones.com.
Around and around…
Giuseppina Ciarla, principal harpist of the Sarasota Opera will perform a special concert, “Hope from the Harp,” to benefit Ukrainian refugees on June 26 at 5 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 4631 S Lockwood Ridge Road. Admission to the concert, which will also be streamed live, is by tax-deductible donation (suggested adults $36; students $18) at hopefromtheharp.org. All donations go to Emergency USA (emergencyusa.org).
• The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs offers free van service to Bay Pines VA Medical Center in St. Petersburg. The van departs from the VA Outpatient Clinic, 5682 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, then stops at the VA Outpatient Clinic, 5520 State Road 64, Bradenton, before departing for Bay Pines every Monday and Friday at 7 a.m. Volunteer drivers are also needed. Contact Kathy Levin Turner at 727-458-3025.
Compiled from press releases and community submissions