Andy Sandberg News

Andy Sandberg, Artistic Director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, announced today that the Hermitage will present new public programs in January with acclaimed theater artists and Hermitage Fellows Gavin Creel and Michael R. Jackson.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat raised more than $225,000 at the 2021 Artful Lobster luncheon on November 13. Now in its thirteenth year, the Artful Lobster raises valuable funds for the Hermitage’s renowned artist residency program and community programming initiatives.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has awarded the Hermitage Artist Retreat a $50,000 Strategic Partnership Grant to support the Hermitage’s nationally renowned artist residency program and, for the fifth consecutive season, to serve as “Grand Sponsor” of the Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner and Celebration in April of 2022.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat and Booker High School are teaming up to connect leading Hermitage Fellows from around the world with students and families, as well as members of the Sarasota community.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat and The Bay Park are joining forces to bring the Hermitage’s unique and innovative artist programming to one of Sarasota’s most exciting and ambitious public park projects through a new community program, “Hermitage at The Bay.”

This event will also be available via livestream. This outdoor Hermitage event is presented in partnership with the Asolo Rep, which will host the regional premiere of Wohl’s play Grand Horizons starting in January of 2022. 

The Hermitage Artist Retreat’s fall artist programs continue with Hermitage Fellows and artists-in-residence offering a variety of outdoor and virtual events on the Hermitage campus and at other venues throughout Sarasota County. All events are free with a $5 registration fee.

The Sarasota County Commission awarded the Hermitage Artist Retreat a $43,598 Tourist Development Cultural/Arts grant to help fund its 2021-2022 community arts and cultural programs.

Tickets are now on sale for the Hermitage Artist Retreat's signature fall fundraising event, The Artful Lobster: An Outdoor Celebration! The 13th Annual Artful Lobster raises valuable funds for the Hermitage's nationally and internationally renowned artist residency program.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat has been recognized by Gulf Coast Community Foundation as one of 12 cornerstone arts organizations with its Arts Appreciation Grant.

Amidst its active season of live outdoor programming and events, the Hermitage Artist Retreat is launching a new virtual series spotlighting the brilliant curators and Hermitage alumni who have developed their work and craft in residence at the Hermitage.

Andy Sandberg, Artistic Director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, announced today the organization has welcomed James R. Monaghan as its new programs manager.

In a collaboration between the Hermitage Artist Retreat and Art Center Sarasota, three acclaimed visual artists and Hermitage Fellows from across the United States — textile artist Diedrick Brackens, interdisciplinary artist Autumn Knight, and figurative artist Robert Pruitt — offer an intimate and candid discussion about their creative process in “Identity in Art,” an artists-in-conversation program on Friday, August 6.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat announced today that Robyn Citrin has been elected as the new president of the Hermitage Board of Trustees. Citrin succeeds Leslie Edwards, who concludes her term as president and will remain on the Hermitage board. The Hermitage also welcomes Edward Swan, Jr. as a new member of the Board of Trustees.

Like the Hermitage Greenfield Prize – which will soon be celebrating its 14th season and rotates annually between the disciplines of music, theater, and visual art – the winner of the Hermitage Major Theater Award (HMTA) will be nominated and selected by a jury of nationally recognized arts leaders in the field of theater.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat and the Van Wezel Foundation present the fourth installment of “UNSCRIPTED+: Community Edition,” featuring Kennedy Center teaching artist, storyteller, and performer Reggie Harris, on Thursday, June 10, at 7 p.m. ET, via Zoom.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat will present “From Creation to Production: Where it All Begins,” a talk with Broadway producer Tom Kirdahy, Friday, April 23, 6 p.m., on the Hermitage Beach, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood.

The evening of entertainment included a welcome video from Tamara Tunie and Black Theatre United; a tribute featuring past Hermitage Greenfield Prize recipients, jurors, and partners; performances of Harris' work; and a stirring musical closing by Ann Morrison and Joseph Holt.

Longtime columnist for the New York Post, host of “Theatre Talk” on PBS, and celebrated author Michael Riedel, along with Sarasota’s own “Mr. Chatterbox,” Robert Plunket, will share candid and colorful stories of famed artistic projects in early development.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat's 2021 winter season includes a variety of community programs featuring Hermitage artists-in-residence and Fellows who present performances and conversations about their works-in-progress and offering insight into their creative process.