Community Calendar

Sarasota Art Museum shines a spotlight on Art Deco as the artform celebrates its centennial anniversary. Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration showcases 100 rare posters from the Crouse Collection created by some of the world’s earliest master graphic designers during the 1920s and 1930s.

During the 1920s, a bold new artistic style roared to life: Art Deco. This exciting, dramatic, and glamorous new genre bid farewell to the soft, organic forms of Art Nouveau and soon took the world by storm. One of Art Deco’s most significant contributions was the art of printed graphics, giving birth to the disciplines of illustration and typography that permeate our world today.

Featuring subjects ranging from automobiles, airlines, and ocean liners to drinks and tobacco, the works represented in Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration celebrate modernity, dynamism, and luxury—the dreams and desires of the turbulent early twentieth century.

In addition to the iconic posters, Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration conjures the era’s design aesthetic with selected sculptural works and cocktail shakers from the Crouse Collection, and Art Deco furniture pieces on loan from the Wolfsonian Museum at Florida International University in Miami.

Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration 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: Installation view of Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration at Sarasota Art Museum, Sarasota, Florida, 2025. Photo: Ryan Gamma.

Join us for “Beyond the Block: From Code to Capital,” a dynamic event designed to empower the Black community in the Tampa Bay Area with the knowledge and tools to build wealth through technology. It is hosted in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Urban Futures Festival, founded by the Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project, held in November.
 
This isn’t just a discussion; it’s a strategic roadmap for the future. We’ll explore the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Digital Currency, showing you how to turn these cutting-edge technologies into real-world opportunities.
 
Our event features three expert-led panel discussions, a startup showcase, and a focused networking session. You’ll gain practical insights on:
 
From Prompts to Profits: Demystifying AI and learning how entrepreneurs and creators can use it to automate tasks, generate ideas, and create new revenue streams.
Building Your Digital Footprint: Exploring how to sell in the metaverse and monetize virtual goods and services using AR and VR.
Code to Capital: Using digital currency to secure payments and create a financial history that can help you qualify for essential banking services, loans, and grants.
Startup Showcase: See firsthand how local startups are leveraging these technologies to innovate and thrive.

Don’t be left behind in the digital economy. Join a community of tech professionals, leaders, and enthusiasts ready to build the future! Register now!

Beyond the Block: From Code to Capital
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-the-block-from-code-to-capital-tickets-1681136728209?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

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.

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.

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!

Clearwater Marine Aquarium announces the return of Lima the sloth for a series of unforgettable weekend meet & greets August and September, offering guests a unique and educational encounter with one of nature’s most fascinating creatures.
Thanks to a special partnership with Amazing Animals, Inc., guests of all ages will have the exclusive opportunity to meet Lima, a two-toed sloth with a playful and charming personality. In addition to Lima, the experience will feature an armadillo and a grey parrot, providing guests with a broader understanding of wildlife conservation through engaging, hands-on education. In addition, an armadillo and grey parrot will also be part of the experience.
Available Dates:
• Aug. 30–31, Sept. 1
• Sept. 20–21
• Sept. 27–28
Times: 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM
Cost: $59.95 per person
Duration: 20-minute sessions
Age Requirements: All ages welcome. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paid participating adult. Children under 2 are free and must sit on an adult’s lap.
Note: General aquarium admission is required and sold separately.
Step into the world of sloths with this intimate 20-minute educational program, where small groups will learn about sloth biology, behavior, habitat, and conservation efforts. Guests will get up close to Lima under the guidance of knowledgeable animal care experts, capturing a once-in-a-lifetime moment with a complimentary photo to remember the experience.
“This is a truly special opportunity for our guests to connect with wildlife in a personal way,” said Ruth Rosario, vice president of guest experiences at CMA. “Experiences like this foster a love for animals and deepen understanding of the importance of conservation.”
Each session is carefully curated to ensure an intimate, enriching encounter, creating lasting memories while supporting Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s ongoing mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release marine life and to educate the public on the importance of protecting our planet’s diverse species.
Advance reservations are strongly recommended as space is limited and demand is high. Book now and be part of this exclusive opportunity to meet Lima the sloth and support vital wildlife conservation efforts.
For more information or to reserve your spot, visit https://www.cmaquarium.org/event/sloth-and-amazing-animals-at-cma/2025-08-30/.

Join us for a guided tour of the Brian Maguire: La Grande Illusion exhibition. CAM’s Curator of Education & Public Art Jenn Miller will help you dig deeper into this major exhibition of works by internationally acclaimed Irish artist, Brian Maguire. The exhibition spans two decades of work that spotlights the artist’s lifelong quest to draw attention to global injustices, war, and human rights. This event is free and open to all. For questions or more information send us a DM, an email at caminfo@usf.edu, or call (813) 974-4133.

Swing into an evening of style, swagger, and timeless charm with Feeling Good, a high-energy celebration of modern crooners. From the timeless elegance of Sinatra and the smooth sophistication of Michael Bublé to the sparkle of Bette Midler and Lady Gaga, this show delivers silky vocals, irresistible rhythms, and captivating personality. Savor swingin’ favorites like “Come Fly With Me” and “It Had to Be You,” fresh hits like “Home” and “Moondance,” and delightfully cheeky numbers such as “Stuff Like That There” and “Me and Mrs. Jones.” Equal parts class and sass, Feeling Good will leave you – well – feeling good.

A comedic murder mystery, complete with mistaken identities, six million bucks in diamonds, and a corpse in a wheelchair. An unassuming English shoe salesman who is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo. Should he succeed in passing his uncle off as alive, Harry Witherspoon stands to inherit six million dollars. If not, the money goes to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn...or else his uncle's gun-toting ex!

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.