wcw NOVEMBER 2023

just some
thoughts
Louise Bruderle
Editor and Publisher
West Coast Woman
Christine Kasten
President/CEO, Venice Symphony
There are so many women in leadership roles in the
local arts community, which is something to celebrate
and devote many future issues of WCW to. This being
our Season Preview issue (part one) we have another
skillful CEO in Christine Kasten who oversees the
Venice Symphony (VS).
She is joined by Troy Quinn, Music Director/Conductor,
who was selected in 2018. Christine was named
Executive Director in 2016 and thus she was part of the
Christine Kasten
Photo: Evelyn England search committee that selected Troy—something she
calls one of the highlights of her career at VS.
Christine’s leadership and business acumen as well as Troy’s creative
talents make for a good team as VS launches another season. According to
Christine, ticket sales are doing great so get your tickets right away.
And congratulations are in order as Venice Symphony, which started in
1974, will be marking its 50th anniversary next year. To show how much the
Symphony has grown, consider that in 1974 they had 56 volunteer musicians
and played three concerts in the Venice High School auditorium.
Now, performances take place in the Venice Performing Arts Center where
they have 1090 seats.
On January 5 they’ll celebrate their 50th anniversary with a “Venetian
Nights” celebration. For tickets and information, visit www.thevenice
symphony.org.
Arts, Arts and More Arts
I admit, I save old emails, but I won’t say how far back they go. I think of it as
my own personal catalog of ideas. So, when assembling this year’s Season
Preview, I wanted to see what was going on based on emails. I put “art” in
the search window and an overwhelming stream of emails appeared from
local, regional, state and national arts organizations who sent West Coast
Woman their information.
That illustrated to me just how much WCW
covers the arts and is thought of as a media
outlet for the arts. Indeed, this issue is part one
of two Season Preview issues because we have
so much to include that we can’t fit it all into
one issue. We have also signed up more arts’
advertisers who have seen our coverage. Their
ads - when measured online - all do quite well.
According to the Arts and Cultural Alliance
of Sarasota County, in 2022, the economic
impact of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations
in the county was nearly $342 million,
according to the latest Arts and Economic
Prosperity survey prepared by Americans for
the Arts, a national arts advocacy organization,
for the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.
That economic activity supported 5,262 jobs, provided $229.4 million in
personal income to residents, and generated $68.1 million in tax revenue to
local, state, and federal governments. Arts and culture drive commerce to
local businesses. When people attend a cultural event, they often make an
outing of it—dining at a restaurant, paying for parking or public transportation,
enjoying dessert after the show, and returning home to pay for child or
pet care. Overall, in Sarasota County, attendees spend $46.21 per person per
event, beyond the cost of admission.
Expect another great season, so get those tickets, get out, have fun and support
this important local “industry” that is a vital part of our local economy.
Honoring Veterans in November
Arts Advocates
will feature its
member artists
who share the distinction
of having
served in the U.S.
Armed Forces in
an exhibit and
an art talk in
November. Both
take place in the
Arts Advocates Gallery, The Crossings at Siesta Key Mall, 3501 S. Tamiami
Trail, Sarasota.
The Veteran Artist Exhibit runs November 4-25 and features the works of
Diana De Avila, Jessica Hartman, John Quigley, and Mark Wiseman.
There will be an Art Talk: Honoring Our Veteran Artists – Pursuing
Dreams After a Military Career, on
November 10, 4-6 p.m. Hartman, Quigley, and Wiseman will discuss if
and how their military careers influenced their art and their hopes for the
future. Registration is required at ArtsAdvocates.org.
To learn more about Arts Advocates, visit ArtsAdvocates.org.
Have an Extra Coat to Donate?
Have an extra winter coat you don’t wear or
need and want to help another stay warm this
winter? The Turning Points’ One Warm Coat
Drive has started and lasts until November 22.
They’re asking you to hold a coat drive at
your business, school, church, or community to
collect new or gently used coats, hoodies, jackets,
gloves, and hats in all sizes (kids to adults).
Drop them off at their location, 705 17th Avenue
West in Bradenton, Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Contact TJ at tbeckert@tpmanatee.org
if you have questions.
From their website: “Turning Points provides
a variety of free services designed to assist individuals
and families on their path to financial
stability and independence. Turning Points is the one stop shop for preventing
and reducing homelessness in our community. Turning Points provides
a remarkable variety of services designed to assist individuals and families
on their path to financial stability and independence.
“We provide day resource services (such as hot showers, laundry services,
clothing, food), employment services, rental and utility assistance, veteran’s
services (employment, housing and childcare), and free medical and dental
care for the uninsured and underinsured. Over 7,000 people received help
last year with critical services targeted to the essential needs of people in
crisis.” Visit tpmanatee.org
All Faiths Food Bank’s
2023 Bowls of Hope Fundraiser Dec. 3
All Faiths Food Bank has
another edition of one of
its most popular events:
Bowls of Hope. This
family-friendly event
supports All Faiths Food
Bank’s work, benefiting
neighbors who may be
experiencing hunger.
Each year, Bowls of
Hope attracts as many as
1500 guests, who select
offerings from 40 restaurants
and caterers as they
serve soups, bread, desserts, and more. Guests select beautiful, handcrafted
bowls – all donated by local potters, artists, and students – to keep, while
enjoying a modest meal as a reminder of the empty bowls they help to fill.
Bowls of Hope tis on December 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium,
2700 12th St., Sarasota. Purchase tickets at allfaithsfoodbank.org.
Coming Up in West Coast Woman
Here’s what we’re working on now:
■ Salute to the Arts, Part 2 is in December. And in January, we have another
lifelong learning issue.
If you want to be a part of any of those issues, email us at westcoastwoman@
comcast.net.
Louise Bruderle | Editor and Publisher |
westcoastwoman@comcast.net
Photo by Cliff Roles
We welcome your thoughts and comments on this column and on other columns and features in this issue.
You can reach us at westcoastwoman@comcast.net. We’re on the web at www.WestCoastWoman.com.
4 WEST COAST WOMAN NOVEMBER 2023