- November 21, 2024
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On the afternoon of Nov. 11, Hermitage Artist Retreat guests headed to the 15th Annual Artful Lobster event were treated to an Old Florida welcome complete with beautiful views while crossing Lemon Bay to get to Manasota Key. The weather was as delightful as the event, which boasted a traditional lobster bake complete with all the trimmings and catered by Michael's On East.
Hermitage Fellows and Grammy award-winning string quartet ETHEL and Emi Ferguson performed for the guests, each telling about their transformative Hermitage experience. Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg made all guests feel special as he thanked everyone for their dedication to Hermitage and its mission.
"The Hermitage Artist Retreat is unlike any other organization in Florida or the United States," Sandberg said. "It is the only major arts organization in Florida that exclusively supports new and original work across all artistic disciplines. We also offer two of the largest unrestricted arts commissions in the country."
Over 200 guests dined and enjoyed music by new and returning Hermitage Fellows. Terry Brackett, together with the husband and wife team of Tim and Suzette Flood, served as co-chairs for the event, with Carole Crosby now serving as Hermitage board president.
As a leading arts incubator, the Hermitage is a multidisciplinary artist retreat with a mission to inspire and foster the most influential and culturally consequential art and artists of our times. To date, the Hermitage has over 750 alumni from all over the world.