Earlier this year, the Hermitage acquired the Englewood Art Center from Ringling College of Art and Design. These new programs mark the start of a fresh chapter at the HEAC, with more plans ahead.

Hermitage Saturday Sessions will bring the community together for weekend workshops led by accomplished Hermitage Fellows. Once a month, a small group will dive hands-first into visual art, music, dance, theater, literature, whatever the artist brings to the table. It’s a real chance for anyone to step into the creative process alongside world-class talent.

The Hermitage Book Club

The Hermitage Book Club opens up the celebrated work of Hermitage Fellows to curious readers. Led by Programs Director Tiffany Colli-Moon, the group will meet on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m., digging into a book written by a Hermitage literary alum, sometimes penned right here. Expect lively discussions, fresh perspectives, and on special occasions, maybe even a visit from the author. Readers should finish the book before joining the conversation.

Since taking ownership in December 2025, the Hermitage has been turning the Englewood Art Center into a multidisciplinary hub just ten minutes from Manasota Key. Spanning two acres and 11,000 square feet, the center now hosts new public events like the Saturday Sessions and Book Club while also offering gallery and studio space for resident artists. Plans for the facility are still developing, and the Hermitage recently hosted a public session to hear from the Englewood community. Ongoing conversations with locals remain a key part of the development process.

Hermitage Saturday Session

The first Hermitage Saturday Session takes place Saturday, October 10 at 11 a.m. with Tony Award-nominated Fellow Julian Crouch. Known for operas and musicals from Broadway to London, think Shockheaded Peter, The Addams Family, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Crouch will run “Something from Nothing: A Puppetry Workshop.” Participants will explore live animation and puppetry using everyday materials, learning how to bring the inanimate to life. No experience needed. You will receive all materials, but you have to register beforehand at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.  Spaces are extremely limited.

The Hermitage will hold the Book Club’s first meeting on Monday, November 2 at 5:30 p.m. The spotlight is on Hermitage Fellow, past Curatorial Council member, and acclaimed author Emily Nemens and her second novel, Clutch. Praised as a New York Times Editors’ Choice and described by the LA Times as “White Lotus with more sincerity and heart,” Clutch tells the story of five long-time friends facing life’s biggest challenges. Nemens will join the kickoff meeting in person.

“We’re thrilled to launch these fresh programs at the Hermitage Englewood Art Center,” says Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg. “This space has so much potential, and these two series are just the beginning of deeper community engagement.”

Hermitage programs are free and open to all, though there’s a $5 registration fee. If demand is high, the organizers may switch workshops to a lottery system and notify selected participants two weeks in advance. Most events last 60-70 minutes, with interactive workshops running longer.

Other upcoming programs include Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens: “New Music Under the Old Oak” on Friday, October 16 at 5:30 p.m. and “We Got the Beat: Poetry & Percussion” on Thursday, October 29 at 5:30 p.m. on the beach. On Saturday, November 7, the Hermitage will hold the Artful Lobster fundraiser on its historic campus, with most tickets already sold. 

For sponsorship details, reach out to the Development Director at Development@HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

The post Hermitage Englewood Art Center Sparks Local Connection with New Book Club and Workshops appeared first on Englewood Review.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat and Aspen Music Festival and School announced the news on August 17, 2026. Vinson is the thirteenth person to win this annual award, which this year comes with a value of $10,000, including a $5,000 commission. The prize covers expenses for Vinson’s Fellowship, residency, and a public program at the Hermitage. He’ll develop his new composition in Florida before its world premiere with the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble next year. Marsha and David Dowler, Rebecca Donelson and Bob Blattberg, and the Friends of the Hermitage in Aspen made this commission possible.

A jury selected Vinson for the prize. Among them: Robert Spano, a multiple Grammy-winner and AMFS Music Director; Alan Fletcher, an accomplished composer and AMFS President; and the AMFS composition faculty, including Grammy-winning Hermitage Fellow Christopher Theofanidis.

Andy Sandberg, Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO, presented the award to Vinson at the Aspen Music Festival’s Klein Tent, joined by Fletcher and Theofanidis. The following day, at a reception hosted by Marsha and David Dowler, the commission became official.

The Hermitage Prize in Composition began in 2013, signaling a strong partnership between the two organizations. The goal: encourage new work and spotlight rising composers in contemporary classical music. Last year, to mark a decade of the award, the Hermitage and Aspen released a retrospective video with interviews from past winners and leaders in the field. Legendary figures like Spano, Fletcher, Theofanidis, and Nico Muhly have completed Hermitage Fellowships; the prize aims to offer up-and-coming talent the same opportunity as they start their careers.

“We are thrilled to recognize Jaylin Vinson as the winner of the thirteenth annual Hermitage Prize and the first to receive a new commission,” said Sandberg. “Jaylin is a brilliant young composer already making a mark across the country, and we know he will be a welcome addition to the Hermitage community. Celebrating the weekend alongside our alumni made it even more special. Huge thanks to Marsha and David Dowler, Rebecca Donelson and Bob Blattberg, and our Aspen supporters for making this commission possible. We’re grateful for our ongoing collaboration with the Aspen Music Festival and School.”

The post Aspen Composer Jaylin Vinson Wins 2026 Hermitage Prize, Lands historic Commission and Florida Residency appeared first on Englewood Review.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are teaming up once again for “Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens” as part of the 2026-2027 season. This outdoor series invites audiences to experience an evening of new performance, offering an inside look at works-in-progress and showcasing Hermitage artists-in-residence and alumni along the way. 

Events will alternate between Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus and the Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey.

Here’s the new schedule for the 2026-2027 season:

– Friday, October 16, 2026, Downtown Sarasota campus
– Friday, November 20, 2026, Historic Spanish Point campus
– Thursday, February 11, 2027, Historic Spanish Point campus
– Thursday, February 25, 2027, Downtown Sarasota campus
– Thursday, March 18, 2027, Downtown Sarasota campus
– Thursday, May 6, 2027, Downtown Sarasota campus

Kicking things off, “New Music Under the Old Oak” brings together Madeline Benson & Chris Peters. The pair first worked as arrangers, orchestrators, and performers on the late Gavin Creel’s original musical “Walk on Through,” developed in part through the Hermitage. Benson and Peters’ artistic partnership has flourished. Peters produced Benson’s debut album, “Leave it All to Me,” and they’ve shared the stage at Lincoln Center. 

Joining them is Latvian composer and guitarist Matīss Čudars, who won the Hermitage Prize in Composition at the Aspen Music Festival & School. Čudars brings influences from math-rock, jazz, classical, and experimental genres. Sarasota audiences might remember him from the 2025 Hermitage Artful Lobster. He’s known for dynamic compositions across orchestral, chamber, and solo works.

These artists will share both their music and creative process as the sun goes down at Selby’s downtown campus on Friday, October 16, at 5:30 p.m.

Details will become available when each event opens for registration. Although tickets are not required, the venue limits space because of its capacity, so advance registration costs $5 per person. Sign up at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

Each event in the series will spotlight a Hermitage artist or group of artists, with announcements to come. Over the past year, “Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens” featured notable talents like violist and ETHEL founder Ralph Farris, Broadway writer and performer Lauren Marcus, playwright Migdalia Cruz, Tony Award winner Britton Smith, jazz musician Adam O’Farrill, Pulitzer and Tony-winning playwright Doug Wright, Obie Award winner Morgan Bassichis, actor and playwright Adam Chanler-Berat, composer Julian Hornik, and Juilliard-trained flutist Emi Ferguson. The new season promises more of the same creative energy and talent.

Click here for more information.

The post ‘Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens’ Returns for Seventh Season of Outdoor Performances appeared first on Englewood Review.

This new collaboration isn’t just talk about supporting artists. Through residency programs tailored to each commissioned musical, MTC and the Hermitage are backing writers and composers who push boundaries, the kinds of creators who reflect the energy and complexity that defines today’s theater. They’re putting resources behind original voices and imaginative storytelling.

The first two musicals getting this treatment are The Orange Grove by playwright Lindsey Ferrentino and musician Sam Beam, and It’s All Relative by Sofya Levitsky-Weitz and Benjamin Velez.

The Orange Grove pairs Ferrentino’s book with original music from Sam Beam, best known as Iron & Wine, and reimagines Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, setting it in a Florida orange grove on the verge of collapse. The story becomes one of family, land, and survival, but through the lens of American history as the country and its people wrestle with change. Ferrentino and Beam already brought a preview of their work to Florida audiences for free, performing on the beach to a crowd of hundreds under the banner of the Hermitage-MTC Fellowship.

As for It’s All Relative, Levitsky-Weitz and Velez ask what parts of ourselves we lose or find in the pursuit of love. The musical features Albert Einstein and his wife and collaborator, Mileva Mari, hosting friends for jam sessions where they ponder the universe and humanity’s role in it. The Hermitage will soon announce their residency and public event.

“We’re excited to launch this collaboration with MTC,” Sandberg said. “The Hermitage has developed a whole range of new works on Manasota Key, including plenty of notable musicals. As MTC leans further into supporting new musicals, this partnership gives leading writers and composers exactly the kind of environment they need to take risks and move their art forward.”

MTC Artistic Director Nicki Hunter added, “Partnering with the Hermitage is a powerful way to give our commissioned musicals the development muscle they need. I hope, as MTC’s future unfolds, that the same energy we’ve given to new plays will go into world-premiere musicals as well. Sending these artists down to the Hermitage, where they have time to create, feels significant.”

MTC’s commitment to new work is deep; they recently presented a new version of Queens by Martyna Majok, whose Pulitzer Prize-winner Cost of Living ran on Broadway with MTC. There’s a web of shared alumni between MTC and the Hermitage: writers like Lynn Nottage, David Auburn, Donald Margulies, Paula Vogel, Rajiv Joseph, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Bess Wohl, whose Hermitage-born play Liberation just won the 2026 Pulitzer and Tony Awards, is this year’s MTC Judith Champion Playwrighting Fellow. The two organizations have also both commissioned work from artists such as Chris Bush, Madeleine George, Aleshea Harris, Craig Lucas, and Anne Washburn.

Sandberg recalls his own connection to MTC: he worked as assistant director to Harold Prince on LoveMusik, the first world premiere musical in MTC Broadway’s history.

The artists involved here are serious contenders. Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, is a five-time Grammy nominee. Lindsey Ferrentino had two shows on Broadway this spring, including The Fear of 13 with Adrien Brody. Sofya Levitsky-Weitz has written for hit series like FX’s The Bear and Hulu’s The Dropout. Benjamin Velez, Tony-nominated composer and lyricist, counts Real Women Have Curves and Kiss My Aztec among his credits.

The Hermitage sets itself apart on the Gulf Coast, exclusively hosting residencies for artists developing fresh work in theater, music, visual art, literature, dance, and film. These residencies lead to community events, almost always free, where local audiences get a behind-the-scenes look at creative processes before the rest of the world sees the finished work. The programs take many shapes, with concerts, readings, open studios, discussions, student workshops, giving thousands each year a chance to connect directly with top artists.

You can find details on the Hermitage’s upcoming events and initiatives at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

The post Broadway Hits the Beach: Manhattan Theatre Club and Hermitage Retreat Partner to Incubate New Musicals appeared first on Englewood Review.

Sam Beam’s story started back in South Carolina, where he was a film professor messing around with homemade recordings. He caught the attention of Sub Pop Records, and soon Iron & Wine hit the scene with “The Creek Drank the Cradle” in 2002. That debut didn’t just impress critics; it captured a big audience, launching Beam as a leader in indie folk and Americana. For over two decades, his music, full of vivid snapshots and emotional depth, has drawn listeners in. The Iron & Wine catalog is impressive, featuring seven studio albums, collaborations with Calexico, Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses), Jesca Hoop, and a seemingly endless stream of EPs, singles, compilations, soundtracks, and even a live concert documentary.

Lindsey Ferrentino has made her mark in theater and film. She just bounced back to Broadway with “The Fear of 13,” starring Adrien Brody, her second Broadway show this season. She originally made her Broadway debut as the book writer for “The Queen of Versailles” with Kristin Chenoweth. Ferrentino packs her résumé with standout plays; “The Fear of 13” (Olivier Award-nominated in London), “Ugly Lies the Bone” (a New York Times Critic’s Pick that traveled to London’s National Theatre), and “Amy and the Orphans” (Roundabout). She’s currently adapting “Amy and the Orphans” for film and bringing Rebecca Yarros’ “In the Likely Event” to Netflix. Variety named her among their “Broadway Stars to Watch” for 2025.

“We are excited to welcome audiences back to the Hermitage Beach for what promises to be a memorable evening with the talents of Sam Beam and Lindsey Ferrentino,” said Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg. “This iconic beachfront remains an unparalleled venue to introduce our community to some of the world’s leading artists, and we are thrilled to have Sam and Lindsey sharing their work and insight with our Hermitage audience.”

Both Beam and Ferrentino are absolutely at the peak of their fields. Flood Magazine calls Beam’s latest album, “Hen’s Teeth,” “a quiet, sudden revelation.” Ferrentino’s “Ugly Lies the Bone” was a hit with critics and audiences alike, racking up over a hundred productions worldwide. Variety points out her “moral conscience second to none among her generation of playwrights.” On June 22, the audience gets to delve into both artists’ creative worlds and see how theater and music connect on Hermitage Beach, Manasota Key.

Hermitage programs welcome everyone, with just a $5 registration fee per person. Gulf Coast audiences get rare access to top talent, and the events usually last about an hour. Spots are limited, so head over to HermitageArtistRetreat.org to reserve your seat.

The post Where the Waves Meet the Words: Catch Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam and Playwright Lindsey Ferrentino at the Hermitage Retreat appeared first on Englewood Review.

Much of this powerful work took shape during her residency at the Hermitage Artist Retreat on Manasota Key. Back then, she even shared some of the earliest pieces of “Liberation” with audiences on Hermitage Beach; those raw, early glimpses that would become an award-winning production.

“Liberation” digs deep into second-wave feminism and memory, tackling the messy layers of social change and women’s rights. The play premiered off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre with Whitney White directing, and it’s been turning heads ever since. Along with the Pulitzer, Wohl earned the Hull-Warriner Award from the Dramatists Guild in 2026, an impressive double-win.

Adding to her growing list of honors, Wohl is also the Manhattan Theatre Club’s Judith Champion Playwriting Fellow for 2025-2026. Seeing her success, from the creative sparks on Manasota Key to national recognition, feels like a triumph for everyone involved.

To register for an upcoming program or to learn more about the Hermitage, visit: HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

The post From Hermitage Beach to the Pulitzer: Alum Bess Wohl Wins 2026 Drama Prize appeared first on Englewood Review.

The Hermitage’s annual spring gala isn’t just a celebration; it’s a gathering of artists at the top of their game, and this year, Swenson’s taking the stage alongside returning Hermitage Fellow Britton Smith.

Swenson’s career shines with versatility. He’s earned Tony and Obie awards, recently wowed audiences as Neil Diamond in A Beautiful Noise, and made waves in the revival of Hair with the late and beloved Gavin Creel, who was also a Hermitage Fellow. His role as Berger landed him Tony and Drama Desk nominations, while his turn as Charles Guiteau in Sondheim’s Assassins picked up nods from the Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel, and the Drama League. He clinched an Obie for Jerry Springer: The Opera. 

Swenson’s resume reads like a wish list for Broadway fans: Les Misérables, Waitress, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Murder Ballad (by Hermitage Fellow Julia Jordan), Rock of Ages, Pericles, Little Miss Sunshine, Adrift in Macao, and plenty more. He’s familiar to film and TV audiences, too, with appearances in The Greatest Showman, The Kitchen, This Is Where I Leave You, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Law & Order, The Good Wife, Hit and Run, The Bite, First Kill, and Elsbeth.

Britton Smith, a fellow Hermitage artist and 2024 Greenfield Prize finalist, will also perform original music developed at the Hermitage. Smith’s got Broadway bona fides, plus a Tony for his work with the Broadway Advocacy Coalition. 

As the lead of Britton and the Sting, a “funk liberation band,” Smith commands attention. Broadway World calls him a “force to be reckoned with” and a “tornado of talent and energy.” Hermitage audiences know him well, especially from his standout appearances in the “Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens” series and his recent jazz and soul showcase.

Andy Sandberg, Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO, summed up the excitement: “I’ve known Will Swenson for twenty years, and I’m thrilled he’ll be sharing his incredible talents with our Hermitage audiences. Will and Britton are both extraordinary performers—guests at this year’s Greenfield Prize Dinner are in for something special. It’s going to be a night to remember.”

Past Greenfield Prize Dinner performers have included big names: Rachel Bay Jones, Eden Espinosa, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, and Hermitage Fellow, Gavin Creel. That’s an impressive guest list.

Ellen and Richard Sandor chair this year’s event. The Hermitage Greenfield Prize is a partnership with the Greenfield Foundation, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County as lead sponsor, and media support from The Herald-Tribune and SRQ Magazine. You can find a list of all sponsors and benefactors at HermitageArtistRetreat.org/HGPDinner2026.

The Hermitage Development Office has tables and sponsorships available. To secure your seat, contact the Hermitage Development Office at (941) 475-2098, Ext. 2. Sponsorships range from $2,000 to $10,000. If you want in, you’ll want to act quickly, as capacity is nearly full.

The post Will Swenson and Britton Smith Set to Light Up 2026 Hermitage Spring Gala appeared first on Englewood Review.

Thanks to an incredible $12 million gift, one of the largest gifts of its kind to a nonprofit arts group, The Hermitage just received three neighboring properties on Manasota Key. The Steans and Morrison families made this possible, handing over the land and homes that the Vanderbilt family originally built back in the early 1950s. Altogether, that’s 6.5 acres stretching from the Gulf to the Bay, dotted with native plants and several houses.

With this gift, The Hermitage can now host even more artists through its nationally recognized residency program. It’s a huge step forward, expanding their reach and making their home on Manasota Key even stronger.If you’re curious about the details or want to dive deeper, check out HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

The post From Vanderbilt Legacy to Living Artists: Hermitage Receives 6.5 Acres on Manasota Key appeared first on Englewood Review.

Carroll Swayze, a well-known local artist, is running the show again this year as chairperson and curator. She’s called Englewood home for over fifty years, and by now, most people in the area recognize her bold acrylic paintings of ocean life. But she’s not just an artist; Carroll is a fierce advocate for original work, especially now that artificial intelligence keeps chipping away at what makes art truly personal. Her pieces land in collections all over the globe.

Creativity runs deep in Carroll’s family. She grew up at the Hermitage on Manasota Key, surrounded by creative energy. Her mom, Ruth Swayze, found success writing for TV, where she worked on “Taxi,” among others. Her dad, John Lund, made his mark as both an actor and director. Carroll and her mother both played key roles in saving and transforming the family home into The Hermitage Artist Retreat, which now draws artists from around the world.

“I’ve been an independent artist my whole life, and I believe in original art and the people who create it,” Carroll says. “Art lifts everyone it touches. We’re lucky to live in a community that really supports the arts. This year’s festival brings an incredible mix of work, and I’m proud to present Englewood’s 2026 Winter Art Festival.”

This festival is a dream for art lovers and collectors. You’ll find over 50 award-winning artists and craftsmen showing off everything from large watercolors, acrylics, and oils, to pottery, photography, mixed media, abstract paintings, creative crafts, sculpture, hand-blown glass, and one-of-a-kind jewelry. Honestly, there’s something for everyone.

Stop by from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. either day on January 24 or 25. The Englewood Elks Lodge will buzz with energy, and Beth Whisler’s Trucking Delicious food truck will be there both days dishing up homemade lunches, desserts, and drinks. Free parking makes things easy, too.

Round up your friends and family for a day of art, good food, and the chance to meet talented artists from around the country. You’ll be supporting original art and the people who pour their hearts into it.

Want directions or more details? Call Carroll Swayze at (941) 266-6434.

The post Local Talent Shines at the 38th Annual Englewood Invitational Winter Art Festival, Jan 24–25 appeared first on Englewood Review.

First up, mark your calendars for Thursday, February 5th. Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, fresh off Tony Award nominations for her standout roles in “Spamalot” and “Beetlejuice,” returns to the Hermitage, this time, not just as a performer, but as a writer. She’ll share new stories and give you a behind-the-scenes look at her latest theatrical projects. 

Harriet Steinke, who took home the 2025 Hermitage Prize in Composition at the Aspen Music Festival, will be there too. Expect a night of original music performed live by a classical ensemble, all set by the lake at Nathan Benderson Park. They’re calling it “Chamber Flights & Broadway Nights,” and honestly, that’s exactly what it sounds like.

On Friday, February 13th, the action shifts back to the Hermitage’s iconic beachfront campus. World-renowned flutist Claire Chase, described by The New York Times as “the most important flutist of our time,” is back to wow Sarasota once again. Chase is a pioneer—her “Density 2036” project is rewriting the rules of modern flute music. She’ll share the stage with Kirstin Valdez Quade, an author with a Guggenheim Fellowship and a “5 Under 35” nod from the National Book Foundation. Quade’s writing is changing the landscape of Latinx literature, and together, these two promise an evening where music and story blend in unforgettable ways.

Then, on Thursday, February 19th, get ready for a different vibe at Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point. Comedian, musician, and writer Morgan Bassichis—called “fiercely hilarious” by The New Yorker—will join forces with Doug Wright, the Pulitzer and Tony-winning playwright behind “I Am My Own Wife.” They’ll dig into the art of solo performance, crack a few jokes, and share excerpts from their own work. 

This February, the Hermitage isn’t just offering performances, it’s bringing together artists at the top of their game and inviting Sarasota to be part of something special. If you enjoy music, theater, or storytelling, you’ll want to be there.

You can join Hermitage programs for free, they just ask for a $5 registration fee per person. It’s a rare chance to meet and connect with some of the world’s top talent, right here on the Gulf Coast. Most programs run about an hour, maybe a little longer, and there’s no intermission. Space is limited, so you’ll need to register at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

The post Hermitage Unveils Exciting February Lineup: Broadway, Music, and Literature Take Center Stage appeared first on Englewood Review.