Mini masterpieces

Visit the Free Little Art Gallery in Sarasota's Southgate Neighborhood

Artist Judy Robertson built a box gallery outside her home where people can give and take small pieces of art.

04/13/2021 By Allison Forsyth

Come Together

Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative Adds New Board Members and Programs

The nonprofit aims to unify the community through the arts.

12/18/2020 By Kay Kipling

What I've Learned

Sarasota Sheriff Tom Knight Looks Back on His 33 Years in Law Enforcement

"We should be more on patrol, out in the community, around children, embedded in the community."

11/01/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Vote!

Scenes from Sarasota's First Day of Early Voting

From essential workers to retirees to first-time voters, here's who showed up today.

10/19/2020 By Megan McDonald Photography by Barbara Banks

The Survivor

Elizabeth Melendez Fisher Good Works Tirelessly to Prevent Sex Trafficking

Melendez Fisher Good is the co-founder and CEO of Selah Freedom, one of the nations' leading anti-sex trafficking organizations.

09/17/2020 By Kay Kipling

The Youth Director

Suriya Khong Empowers Young People

“No one makes it in the world alone, but with supportive and caring adults who take active interest in young people, their possibilities become limitless."

09/17/2020 By Allison Forsyth

The Fighter

Natasha Clemons Fights for Police Reform

Clemons is one of the voices of the local Black Lives Matter chapter and the CEO of the Rodney Mitchell Foundation, as well as a full-time hospital nurse.

09/17/2020 By Giulia Heyward

Self Care

How Six Sarasotans Are Taking Care of Themselves Right Now

From exercising to baking to reading, here's how they're coping with the effects of the pandemic.

09/02/2020 By Heather Dunhill

Milestone Moment

Florida Studio Theatre Celebrates Women's Suffrage Centennial Aug. 20

A special online event will wrap up the communitywide Suffragist Project.

08/18/2020 By Kay Kipling

Human Resources

Photo Exhibit Highlights Workers Who Rebuilt Sarasota Art Museum

Worker, a photo series shot by Barbara Banks, highlights construction workers who restored the old Sarasota High building.

06/30/2020 By Allison Forsyth Photography by Barbara Banks

Troubled Times

Sarasota's Black Community Reacts to the Death of George Floyd

A chorus of voices speaks out about racism, justice and our future.

06/02/2020 By Susan Burns, Megan McDonald, Heather Dunhill, Kay Kipling, Jessika Ward, and Cooper Levey-Baker

Data

Annual Survey Shows Drop in Area's Homeless Population

But there is rising concern about how the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to more homelessness.

05/29/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Philanthropy

Hermitage Artist Retreat Meets $100,000 Matching Pledge

The Hermitage has also received a $50,000 pledge from a group of supporters to extend this matching challenge.

05/15/2020 By Staff

Coronavirus

Our New Normal: Scenes From a Masked Sarasota

Photographer Barbara Banks snapped these portraits of masked Sarasotans as they try to go about their lives—sometimes cautiously, sometimes joyfully, sometimes in spite of all the odds.

04/24/2020 Photography by Barbara Banks