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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You’ve never seen Snow White like this before! Two quick-changing actors bring an entire fairy tale world to life in this inventive retelling of the classic story. From the evil queen and the magic mirror to the seven dwarfs and a brave princess, this fast-paced adventure delights audiences of all ages with creativity, heart, and humor.