Scene & Heard

+ Landscape paintings evoke light and color
Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art Gallery presents “Florida Landscapes: Another Look” Aug. 11 through Oct. 1, at 1288 N. Palm Ave. The exhibit showcases Florida through diverse paintings by Bruce Marsh, Heidi Edwards and Jim Couper.

Marsh’s large-scale, photorealistic oil paintings hang in museums and corporate collections around the state, including the Ringling Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, D.C., and the Museum of Fine Arts, in St. Petersburg. Edwards, who has been painting landscapes for 40 years, has yet to tire of the inspiration that Florida’s flat topography provides. Couper’s works explore nature’s wild side, showing Florida’s natural landscapes through beauty and grace.

For information, visit www.allyngallup.com.

+ Public invited to meet the stars
The Hermitage Artist Retreat is hosting open studios to present the work of its first five STARS — State Teachers Artist Residency — artists-in-residence. The event, which marks the culmination of the Hermitage’s first residencies for Florida arts teachers, runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 12, at 6660 Manasota Key Road, in Englewood. The artists will participate in open studios, readings and a musical performance. Call 475-2098 or visit www.HermitageArtistRetreat.org for information.

+ Alliance accepting leadership nominations
The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is searching for those who have made significant contributions to the arts and are actively engaged in the cultural life of the community. The most recent recipients include Christine Jennings, Michael Martella, Betty and Bert Morris, Joseph Arnegger, Tim Jaeger and Jeff Schwartz.

Nominations can be made in the following categories: philanthropy, management, government, arts education, media, artistic achievement and volunteer. Forms are available at www.SarasotaArts.org, by calling 365-5118 or emailing [email protected].

+ Born to play the part?
The Manatee Players Boot Camp production for 2011 just wrapped up four performances of “Once on this Island.” The story of Hans Christian Anderson’s “Little Mermaid,” adapted to a Caribbean island, was presented by a cast of about 60 campers ages 8 to 17 in a fully staged production realized in just three weeks. The lead female part of Ti Moune, Creole for “little orphan,” was performed by Maria Wirries, who also was an orphan. She was born in Haiti and raised by an aunt, Jeaneen Wirries, who is now her mother. This was Maria’s third season of Broadway Boot Camp. The production was directed by Kelly Woodland and Assistant Director Corinne Woodland; Rick Kerby is the managing artistic director of the Manatee Players.

HOT TICKETS
Roberta McDonald: ‘Songs, Stories and Mr. Chatterbox’: Join the Glenridge Performing Arts Center for an intimate evening with Broadway and television legend Roberta McDonald as she reminisces about her life in New York at 8 p.m. Aug. 20, at 7333 Scotland Way. There will be a Q&A following the performance. Tickets are $15. Call 552-5325 or visit gpactix.com.