Hermitage announces new programs in June featuring internationally renowned artists

The Hermitage Artist Retreat is planning several new community programs in June with Hermitage Fellows that span music, visual art, and theater.

The newly added programs will be presented at outdoor venues throughout Sarasota County as part of the Hermitage’s partnerships with local organizations, including Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the Van Wezel Foundation, and Art Center Sarasota.

The season’s final installment of the “Unscripted” series, “Sparking Creativity,” features Hermitage Fellow and theater-maker Nandita Shenoy in a virtual program on June 2 at 5 p.m. Lauded playwright and actor Shenoy will offer insight into process and share examples of her work that have resulted from her creative journey.

The interactive “Unscripted” series is presented in a collaboration with the Van Wezel Foundation, and previous “Unscripted” programs have featured Hermitage Fellows Claire Chase, Eric Booth, Reggie Harris, Ann Patterson, Christopher Theofanidis, Melissa Studdard, Patrick Harlin, Hannah Hasan, and most recently Daniel Gumbiner.

The Hermitage’s June programs continue with “Soulful Strings: An Evening of Harp Music” on June 7 at 8 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens with celebrated musician and composer Ashley Jackson. The inaugural event in the Ruby E. Crosby Alumni Music Series at the Hermitage was made possible with a gift from the Ruby E. and Carole Crosby Foundation.

The Hermitage also will partner with Art Center Sarasota to present “Visual Art: New Ways of Seeing,” featuring Hermitage Fellows Aram Han Sifuentes and Amanda Williams, on June 17 at 6:30 p.m. on the Hermitage Beach.

“The Hermitage’s ongoing May and June programming speaks to the expansive diversity and creative range of our renowned Hermitage Fellows, who are all brilliant talents in their respective musical and artistic fields,” said Hermitage artistic director and CEO Andy Sandberg. “By continuing our programming into the summer months, we also want to celebrate and recognize that there is a growing year-round community of arts appreciators here in our Gulf Coast region.”

Hermitage programs like these are free after a $5 registration fee. Due to capacity limitations and social distancing, registration is required at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

Submitted by Hermitage Artist Retreat