Suncoast Post

The Hermitage Artist Retreat has received more than $450,000 in national, state and regional grants to support artist residencies, arts education and free community programs throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. The Manasota Key nonprofit received funding from 11 organizations, including the Florida Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture, National Endowment for the Arts, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Koski Family Foundation.

Political disagreements should never erase generations of friendship between Canadians and Americans. To our friends in Canada: We miss you. We need you. And, most importantly, we want you to know that you are still welcome here in Florida. My friend Dana Lawrence posted a heartfelt message on Facebook yesterday asking Canadians to please consider returning to Florida.

On Sunday night ChicagoBlues guitar great Buddy Guy brought his birthday tour to Clearwater to a sold out crowd. At 90, he is still bringing the blues to generations of fans! There was every age in the audience of this amazing show. Taj Farrant Sets the Tone Opening the show was 17 year-old Australian guitar prodigy, Taj Farrant. Taj started playing at a young age and competed on Australia’s Got Talent at age 9! His sister Jazel jams with the band on both drums and keyboards.

Florida-based Phoenix 5 is preparing to take another major step beyond Florida’s Gulf Coast, with the popular soul, funk and reggae band scheduled to headline the MNO Festival in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Phoenix 5 is scheduled to take the stage at 8 p.m., according to the band’s official performance calendar. Additional festival information, including ticket prices and the complete entertainment lineup, has not yet been publicly announced.

This is a follow-up story from the original post. Bradenton-based A. Shadow Designs marks five years of creating custom apparel, engraved gifts and branded products for local customers and businesses. What began with a single idea at a dining room table has grown into a successful Bradenton-area business serving individuals, organizations, events and companies throughout the Suncoast. A.

A Full-Circle Moment for the Studios After years of bringing countless memories to the Sarasota and Bradenton communities, Painting with a Twist local founders Sheri Penxa and Hope Kinney are preparing to pass the paintbrush to two people who already have deep roots in the studios. Sheri and Hope, longtime friends who first discovered Painting with a Twist as customers themselves, fell in love with the experience and brought the concept to Sarasota and Bradenton.

August 16, 2026 | Suncoast Post Staff | Charities | No Comments on Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Donors Invest More Than $49 Million Across Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Community Foundation and its donors invested more than $49 million in nonprofits and community projects across Southwest Florida in fiscal year 2026.

Some restaurants come and go. Others become part of the fabric of a community. For more than two decades, Clayton’s Siesta Grille has been one of those special places on Siesta Key — a restaurant locals recommend to visiting friends, seasonal residents return to year after year, and longtime customers consider part of their own Sarasota history. Located at 1256 Old Stickney Point Road, Clayton’s was founded by Clayton and Diane Thompson in 2004.

Explore Paragon Festivals’ 2027 Florida seafood and music festival schedule, including events in Sarasota, Bradenton, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and St. Petersburg. Seafood, live music and Florida sunshine will once again come together as Paragon Festivals brings a full season of outdoor celebrations to communities across Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses operate, but for many small business owners, the biggest challenge is knowing where to begin. On Thursday, August 20, 2026, the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will host a special Lunch & Learn seminar focused on AI readiness for local businesses, presented by Sande Caplin & Associates at The Center of Anna Maria Island.