March 18, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT
Lisa Berger § 941-365-2032 § [email protected]
Art Center Sarasota Wins
WEDU’s “Be More Enriched” Award
The award, which was presented at the 9th annual WEDU Be More Awards ceremony in Tampa on February 20, recognizes Art Center Sarasota for its outstanding 2012-2013 exhibition season, “Southern Exposure.”
(Sarasota, Florida) Art Center Sarasota earned WEDU’s 2014 “Be More Enriched Award” at the ninth annual Be More Awards ceremony on February 20 in Tampa. The organization received the honor for “Southern Exposure,” its outstanding 2012-2013 exhibition season. WEDU’s “Be More Enriched Award” acknowledges cultural organizations that contribute to the spirit of adventure, exploration and education in the regional arts scene. Other finalists included Asolo Rep, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Florida Studio Theatre, Glazer Children’s Museum, and Ruth Eckerd Hall.
“Enriching our community through the visual arts is the reason we’re here,” says Lisa Berger, Art Center Sarasota’s executive director. “We’re deeply honored that WEDU recognized our dedication to the artistic life of Sarasota and the region.”
Berger adds that the organization’s exhibition committee, along with exhibitions coordinator Emma Thurgood, designed “Southern Exposure” to focus on Florida-based artists. Of the 19 exhibitions, 17 featured works by Florida artists, including “Artists Who Made Sarasota Famous: 1960-Present,” “For the Love of Art: Florida Division of Cultural Affairs Individual Artist Fellowship Award Recipients,” “”Black Muse 2013: Artists from the Manasota Chapter of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History,” “Curated Unknowns,” a two-part series showcasing emerging Florida artists, and “Florida Flavor,” a juried exhibition of Florida resident artists. The season also featured “Leaf | Textile | Purpose,” a community-wide installation project led by textile designer Jackie Peters Cully. According to Berger, nearly 31,500 people visited “Southern Exposure” during its run. She adds that Art Center Sarasota’s local impact didn’t end with its 2012-13 season.
“We’re committed to showcase engaging, relevant art by contemporary artists from around the region and the state,” says Berger. “Our commitment extends to artists and art enthusiasts of all ages, who strive to take their technique and understanding to the next level.” She adds that the center offers dozens of educational programs, lectures, art classes and workshops throughout the year.
For more information about Art Center Sarasota, call 941-365-2032, or visit www.artsarasota.org.
Photo caption:
Lissette Campos, “Host of Positively Tampa Bay,” Emma Thurgood, exhibition coordinator at Art Center Sarasota; Lisa Berger, executive director of Art Center Sarasota, and ABC Action News Jack Harris, co-host of AM Tampa Bay on 970 WFLA, at WEDU Be More Awards ceremony; photo by Mamarazzi Foto.
About Art Center Sarasota
Art Center Sarasota was the first arts and cultural institution in Sarasota. It was founded in 1926 as the “Sarasota Art Association” by Marcia Rader, the art supervisor for the Sarasota County schools district. In the early years, the group met monthly and sponsored exhibits in rented facilities. The Association was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1943 and has been in its current location in the Sarasota Bayfront Cultural District since 1949. Art Center Sarasota is now a membership-based organization that offers curated and juried exhibitions, adult and youth education programs, outreach initiatives for underserved youth, and culturally related public programming. Art Center Sarasota’s mission is to inspire individual creative expression, nurture artistic talent and provide the community with accessible and diverse visual art opportunities.
Art Center Sarasota
707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941-365-2032 § Fax: 941-366-0585
www.artsarasota.org
Gallery Hours:
Free admission
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Closed Sunday
ABOUT WEDU PBS
WEDU is West Central Florida’s leading PBS station and public media company reaching 16 counties through media platforms including on-air programming and online experiences that broaden horizons, transport and transform and open gateways to new ideas and new worlds. Financially supported by the community, the organization offers a wealth of award-winning inspirational, educational and enlightening content over a variety of media platforms including: television programming, station’s website, wedu.org and various social media platforms, monthly member magazine Premiere, educational outreach activities and a myriad of special events. WEDU’s focus on the local community has resulted in the station being regarded as a beacon of trust for men, women and children of every walk of life no matter their age, ethnicity or socio-economic status. WEDU is a treasured community resource; a window to the world for the homebound and a vital educational source for the youngest members of society. WEDU prides itself on its position in the Tampa Bay community as a leader, partner, informed citizen and a member of PBS, the most trusted institution in America (Harris Interactive Trust QuickQuery, January 2013). For more information, program schedules or to support WEDU visit wedu.org; WEDU Public Media on Facebook and Twitter or call 813-254-9338.
