September 14, 2017
FLORIDA TEACHING ARTISTS RETURN TO HERMITAGE BEACH
The Hermitage Artist Retreat is pleased to announce a free community program that will feature artists from the Association of Florida Teaching Artists (AFTA). Assuming power is restored, the program will take place on Friday, September 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on the historic campus, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood. From 5:30 to 6:30, visiting visual artists will show their work in the beach cottage studios. From 6:30 until sunset at 7:30, the program moves to the beach where music and poetry will be featured. From 6:00-6:30p.m., folk musician, Bill Schustik will offer a prelude while the audience meanders from the historic campus to the beach. Visitors are encouraged to bring their beach chairs or blankets and any refreshments to enjoy before and during the program. As with all Hermitage programming, there is no charge, but reservations are requested in case there is a need to move. Due to Hurricane Irma’s power outage, reservations will be taken online only. Please email [email protected] if you plan to attend. Check the website for confirmation that the power is restored and the event can proceed. Also please be aware that due to road repair on Manasota Key Road, those visiting the Hermitage need to take SR 776 to Beach Road and use the south bridge for access to Manasota Key and the Hermitage campus. Please plan an additional 10 minutes travel time.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the Hermitage was left standing with minimal damage,” remarked Bruce E. Rodgers, executive director for the Hermitage. “We are so grateful and even without electricity are working hard to move ahead with our community programming. The AFTA artists return for another fun-filled evening. This group of artists hold their annual retreat on our grounds in return for a community program which is always well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all who come. Some artists are back by popular demand, others are new to the program. Come meet some of the most interesting and talented teachers found in Florida classrooms, around the area and throughout the state.”
Artist studios will be open to view the work of AFTA’s visual artists, including Amy Webber, painting and pottery; Judy Levine, jewelry; Missy Malloy, painting; Kat Sjogren, animal portraits and tiny paintings. At the beach, the evening’s program will include Synia Carroll, a jazz singer who has been a featured artist at the St. Pete Jazz Festival, the Blue Rooster, Florida Studio Theater and Sarasota’s Starlite Room. Missy Malloy, artist and film maker will share her poetry and Chris Wanta has some musical guitar riffs to share. Stephanie Heidemann is a world-fusion vocalist/performer & arranger of music. Stephanie, who is a Hermitage fellow after being selected for a John Ringling Tower Fund Grant from the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, will share her work which has been performed in University auditoriums and at world music festivals. A fifth artist, Susan Raincrow Geyer, will be wearing a Cherokee National Dress and performing her original compositions on the Native American Flute, as the sun brings the evening to a close.
“What an incredible lineup of talent,” Rodgers continued. “This is always an interesting and unique program and I encourage people to get this on their calendars. It’s free, it’s entertaining and a great way to start any weekend. Hope to see you there.”
The Hermitage is a not-for-profit artist retreat located at 6660 Manasota Key Road in Englewood, FL. It invites accomplished painters, sculptors, writers, playwrights, poets, composers and other artists from all over the world for residencies on its beachfront historic campus. Many of these artists are Pulitzer Prize, Tony, Emmy, Grammy and MacArthur Genius Award winners. Artists are asked to interact with the community during their stay and as a result, Hermitage artists touch thousands of Gulf Coast community residents with unique and inspiring programs each year. Hermitage community programs are partially sponsored by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of Arts and Culture and the State of Florida (Section 286.25, Florida Statutes). In addition, the Hermitage awards and administers the prestigious Greenfield Prize, an annual $30,000 commission for a new work of art, rotating among visual art, music and drama. The Hermitage also partners with the Aspen Music Festival and School to award the annual Hermitage Prize to a composition student during the Festival. For more information about The Hermitage Artist Retreat, call 941-475-2098, ext. 5, or visit the website at www.HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
