Samantha Gholar

5 days ago | heraldtribune.com | Samantha Gholar

Sarasota County Schools has appointed Mark Grossenbacher as the inaugural principal of Wellen Park High School, set to open in August 2026 in North Port. Grossenbacher, currently principal at Woodland Middle School, will assume his new role on July 1. With over two decades in education, Grossenbacher has held leadership roles across the district, including principal of Englewood Elementary and assistant principal at Heron Creek and Sarasota middle schools.

3 weeks ago | usatoday.com | Samantha Gholar

Former museum leaders, donors and concerned citizens were expected to participate in a town hall-like demonstration Tuesday afternoon to rally public opposition to a proposed transfer of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art from Florida State University to New College of Florida.

3 weeks ago | heraldtribune.com | Samantha Gholar

Larry Thompson, the longtime president of Ringling College of Art and Design, announced Thursday that he will retire at the end of the 2025–26 academic year, marking the close of a transformational era at one of Sarasota’s most prominent institutions. Thompson, who joined Ringling in 1999, is the college’s sixth and longest-serving president. Over the past 26 years, Thompson has steered the school through dramatic expansion.

4 weeks ago | heraldtribune.com | Samantha Gholar

For emerging artists Jevon Brown and Amaya Glover, art isn’t just a passion — it’s survival. It’s a means to document, resist and reimagine the world as they know it. Both young, Black and unapologetically themselves, they’ve navigated a landscape that often overlooks artists like them. Now, thanks to a $5,000 grant awarded to their project Cuttin’ Up, the duo is set to be a part of the inaugural Creative Nexus summit in May.

1 month ago | heraldtribune.com | Samantha Gholar

Two college friends, Ted Wilson and Trevor Perkins, have launched Orchid SRQ, an exclusive, intimate supper club in Sarasota, Florida. The dining experience features a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings, served in a private home setting. Orchid SRQ emphasizes local, seasonal ingredients and a focus on creating a personalized, immersive experience for guests. The supper club currently operates on a limited schedule with reservations made via email or Instagram, with plans for expansion.