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Cross Arts Collaborative

Hermitage Artist Retreat Launches Fourth Annual “Cross Arts Collaborative” to Empower Sarasota Performers as Creators

| Suncoast Post Staff |

The Hermitage Artist Retreat has unveiled its fourth season of the Cross Arts Collaborative, a unique program designed to nurture Sarasota performers who are expanding into roles as creators. With generous backing from the Koski Family Foundation, the initiative invites artists from two key local organizations—ensembleNewSRQ and Key Chorale—to live and work at its scenic Manasota Key campus, fostering cross-disciplinary innovation.

🎭 Program Highlights

  • Residency Recipients:
    • Shawn Allison, musician and composer with ensembleNewSRQ.
    • Tom Lubben, performer and musician with The Lubben Brothers and an affiliate of Key Chorale.
  • Residency Format: Each artist will enjoy two weeks of focused work time at the Hermitage retreat, culminating in a public performance in Sarasota this December.
  • Presentation Details: Open to the public and free, the event is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3 at 5 pm, hosted at Nathan Benderson Park in collaboration with ensembleNewSRQ and Key Chorale.

Why It Matters

The Hermitage’s Cross Arts Collaborative program addresses a gap often felt by performers eager to explore their own artistic voices—actors shaping original theatre, musicians composing new scores, or dancers developing choreography. This residency offers that crucial space and time for creative growth under the mentorship of Claire Chase, a distinguished flutist and past Hermitage Curatorial Council member who led this year’s review process.

Cross Arts Collaborative

Voices from the Community

  • Andy Sandberg, Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO, explains:

“We know there are musicians, actors, dancers… who have passion projects waiting in the wings… This residency is designed for an artist who is hungry to expand their creative practice.”

  • Samantha Bennett & George Nickson of ensembleNewSRQ celebrate Allison’s selection, noting his “creative, multidisciplinary approach to composition and his desire to blend sound and storytelling through literary influence.” hermitageartistretreat.org
  • Joseph Caulkins, Artistic Director of Key Chorale, praised Lubben’s project exploring “the origins of folk music in America and tracing their roots from the 40s into the early 70s,” calling it educational and entertaining. hermitageartistretreat.org

About the Hermitage Artist Retreat

Located on Manasota Key, the Hermitage spans nine acres of beachfront historic buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Beyond the Cross Arts Collaborative, the Retreat supports various creative disciplines—visual arts, music, literature, theater, dance—with residencies, educational community programs, and special events like the Artful Lobster fundraiser and Greenfield Prize weekend. Its mission is to champion emerging and established artists, many of whom feature internationally acclaimed talent like Tony, Emmy, Grammy, and Pulitzer winners .

External Resources & Useful Links

  • Learn more about the Hermitage Artist Retreat and its programs: Hermitage Artist Retreat official site
  • Explore ensembleNewSRQ’s innovative musical projects: ensembleNewSRQ homepage
  • Discover Key Chorale’s mission and upcoming seasons: Key Chorale official site
  • Read about the historic Manasota Key campus’s history: Wikipedia – Hermitage–Whitney Historic District

Coming Soon: Save the Date

  • Residency period: Summer
  • Public showcase:
    • Date & Time: Wednesday, December 3 at 5 pm
    • Venue: Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota
    • A registration link will be available later in the fall.

Why You Should Attend

  • Free community event—no cost beyond optional registration.
  • Discover fresh, original works by local talent exploring new artistic roles.
  • Support Sarasota’s vibrant arts ecosystem, witnessing firsthand how the Hermitage boosts creative transitions for performers.

This fourth-year expansion of the Cross Arts Collaborative underscores the Hermitage Artist Retreat’s ongoing commitment to enriching Sarasota’s cultural landscape—bridging local performance and creation through intentional support. It promises another season of innovation, with artistic voices growing stronger and more multifaceted.

Photo From Hermitage Artist Retreat

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