Personal Playbook

Sarasota Art Museum’s Virginia Shearer Shares Some of the Items She Can’t Live Without

Shearer is the executive director of the Sarasota Art Museum. These are a few of her favorite things.

By Megan McDonald November 1, 2026 Published in the November 2026 issue of Sarasota Magazine

1. Yoga at Get Bent

“I love to start my day with a class at Get Bent yoga studio, which is run by the most dynamic husband-and-wife duo, Janine and Joshua Martin.” A drop-in class is $20, getbentyogastudio.com

2. Colorful Jewelry

“My weakness is jewelry. I wear a lot of black-and-white and keep it simple, but love adding a bold pop of color, like this Bailong 3D printed necklace from Maison203.” $255, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, sarasotaartmuseum.org or maison203.com

3. Cortado from Palma Coffee

“Palma Coffee is next door to Get Bent and I always order a cortado. I also love Coast to Coast Coffee in Gulf Gate, and on the way to work, I’ll stop at Perq on Hillview Street. I love our coffee scene and the people-watching at the different shops.” $4, palmacoffee.com

4. Curry Ramen from Yokoso Ramen

“Terrific ramen, and the restaurant is filled with amazing Japanese toys. It’s homey and wonderful.” $18, 3422 Clark Road, Sarasota, yokoso-ramen.com

5. Hikigiri Scissors

“I have a tradition of giving a pair of beautiful, Japanese-designed scissors from the Sarasota Art Museum gift shop as a hostess gift.” $35, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, sarasotaartmuseum.org

6. Collectible Art Books

“A. Parker’s Books is so fabulous. In the 1990s, when I had no money, I bought Cream, a book from a contemporary art series. Years later, I was in A. Parker’s and found another book from the same series [Creamier]. They’re like two bookends with many years in between.” 1488 Main St., Sarasota, aparkers.com 

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