Hermitage Artist Retreat Announces New Programs in June

The Hermitage Artist Retreat announces new community programs in June with Hermitage Fellows spanning music, visual art, and theater. These newly added programs are 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.

First, the season's final installment of the popular "Unscripted" series, "Sparking Creativity," features Hermitage Fellow and theater-maker Nandita Shenoy in a virtual program on Thursday, June 2 at 5pm ET. Lauded playwright and actor Shenoy will offer insight into process and share examples of her work that have resulted from her creative journey. Prior to the program, registered attendees will be given a prompt so that audience members can try this process out for themselves. 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.

Next, the Hermitage's June programs continue with the previously announced "Soulful Strings: An Evening of Harp Music" with celebrated musician and composer Ashley Jackson. This is the inaugural event in the Ruby E. Crosby Alumni Music Series at the Hermitage, made possible with a generous gift from the Ruby E. and Carole Crosby Foundation. "Soulful Strings" will be presented on Tuesday June 7 at 8pm at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Downtown).

Finally, the Hermitage will partner with Art Center Sarasota to present "Visual Art: New Ways of Seeing," featuring Hermitage Fellows Aram Han Sifuentes and Amanda Williams, live on the Hermitage Beach. This event will take place at 6:30pm on Friday, June 17.

These programs are in addition to previously announced programs throughout the month of May.

"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 and open to the public with a $5/person registration fee. Due to capacity limitations and social distancing, registration is required at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.