The Hermitage Artist Retreat and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will once again present their celebrated outdoor performance series, “Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens,” now entering its sixth year. The 2025–2026 season will include six evenings of original works-in-progress presented by Hermitage artists-in-residence and alumni at Selby’s Downtown Sarasota and Historic Spanish Point campuses.
Scheduled program dates include October 23, November 20, January 29, February 19, March 5, and May 7, alternating between the two Selby Gardens locations. Each event will showcase a unique Hermitage artist or ensemble, offering the public a rare behind-the-scenes look into the creative process across artistic disciplines.
Registration is required, with a nominal $5 fee per attendee. Start times vary based on sunset and will be announced as each date opens for registration at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
The series has previously featured renowned artists such as Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Michael R. Jackson, Grammy-nominated flutist Claire Chase, Broadway star Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, and Tony Award-winning producer Tom Kirdahy. This year’s season aims to continue that legacy with new voices in theater, music, literature, dance, and visual art.
A leading national arts incubator, the Hermitage Artist Retreat hosts residencies for artists from around the globe at its Manasota Key campus. As part of their stay, artists engage with the community through public programming—many of which, like the “Sunsets” series, are free or low-cost.
Pictured is Broadway star Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, a Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens alumni. More information and registration for all events can be found at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
