Hermitage Artist Retreat’s Artful Lobster Shatters Records, Raising Over $380,000 for Hurricane Recovery and Arts Residency Program
The Hermitage Artist Retreat in Sarasota County, Florida, celebrated a record-breaking achievement at its 16th Annual Artful Lobster luncheon, raising over $380,000 on November 9. This annual fundraiser supports the Hermitage’s renowned artist residency program, which offers creative sanctuary for global talents in music, theater, visual art, literature, and more. Proceeds from this year’s event will also aid the recovery of the Hermitage’s Manasota Key campus, recently damaged by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Held at the outdoor courtyard of the Ora in Sarasota due to ongoing hurricane repairs, the sold-out luncheon welcomed over 200 guests. Marking his fifth anniversary, Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg hosted the event, which was headlined by two distinguished Hermitage alumnae: Tony Award-nominated actor Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer and Grammy-nominated composer Rona Siddiqui. Both artists, who consider the Hermitage their “artistic home,” delivered unforgettable performances. Kritzer surprised the crowd with her rendition of “Shy,” a nod to her portrayal of Carol Burnett in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” while Siddiqui performed “When Pigeons Fly” from her musical Salaam Medina: Tales of a Halfghan and joined Kritzer for an original piece, “Om Shanti.”
The afternoon was further enriched by local talents and Hermitage fellows Raleigh Mosely II and Martina Long, who brought down the house with “I’m Gone” from Hands on a Hardbody, co-written by Hermitage Fellow Doug Wright. A moving video presentation shared the recent hurricanes’ impact on the Hermitage, followed by Kritzer’s powerful rendition of Celine Dion’s “That’s the Way It Is,” embodying the event’s theme of resilience.
“This year’s Artful Lobster was a deeply meaningful celebration of creativity and community support,” said Sandberg. “We are grateful to everyone who contributed to this success, demonstrating a commitment to both our arts mission and hurricane recovery efforts.”
The 2024 Artful Lobster was co-chaired by Alice & David Court and Peter Offringa & Allison Gregory, with sponsorship from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Key Agency, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Sarasota Magazine. A full list of sponsors can be found HERE.
The Hermitage is a premier arts incubator in Florida’s Gulf Coast, dedicated exclusively to nurturing new work across all artistic disciplines. Artists reside on the Manasota Key campus, sharing their creative process with the community through free public programs. For information on supporting hurricane repairs or the Hermitage’s arts initiatives, visit Hermitage Artist Retreat.
Photos from Hermitage Artist Retreat