BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Sarasota Art Museum - ECPv6.17.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Sarasota Art Museum X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Sarasota Art Museum REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261020T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261020T130000 DTSTAMP:20260825T205047Z CREATED:20260825T151425Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T205047Z UID:10001234-1792497600-1792501200@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Art at Noon | Christopher Jones DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/art-at-noon-3/ CATEGORIES:Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ArtAtNoon_ChrisJones_1000x665.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261021T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261021T120000 DTSTAMP:20260820T201254Z CREATED:20260609T154254Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T201254Z UID:10000808-1792576800-1792584000@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Your Wednesday Playdate DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/your-wednesday-playdate-2/2026-10-21/ CATEGORIES:Family ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/StudiosAtSAM_WednesdayPlaydate_2_1024x768.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261021T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261021T120000 DTSTAMP:20260626T200501Z CREATED:20260506T173823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T200501Z UID:10000073-1792580400-1792584000@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Highlights Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/highlights-tour/2026-10-21/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KAP-49-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261023T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261023T120000 DTSTAMP:20260626T200501Z CREATED:20260506T173823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T200501Z UID:10000074-1792753200-1792756800@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Highlights Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/highlights-tour/2026-10-23/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KAP-49-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261024T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261024T120000 DTSTAMP:20260626T200501Z CREATED:20260506T173823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T200501Z UID:10000075-1792839600-1792843200@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Highlights Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/highlights-tour/2026-10-24/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KAP-49-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261024T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261024T140000 DTSTAMP:20260825T152713Z CREATED:20260824T173810Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T152713Z UID:10001273-1792846800-1792850400@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Artist Talk: Eszter Sziksz DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/artist-talk-eszter-sziksz/ CATEGORIES:Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ArtistTalk-EszterSziksz_WEB_1000x665.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261028T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261028T120000 DTSTAMP:20260820T201254Z CREATED:20260609T154254Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T201254Z UID:10000809-1793181600-1793188800@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Your Wednesday Playdate DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/your-wednesday-playdate-2/2026-10-28/ CATEGORIES:Family ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/StudiosAtSAM_WednesdayPlaydate_2_1024x768.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261028T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261028T120000 DTSTAMP:20260626T200501Z CREATED:20260506T173823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T200501Z UID:10000076-1793185200-1793188800@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Highlights Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/highlights-tour/2026-10-28/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KAP-49-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261029T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261029T160000 DTSTAMP:20261006T202553Z CREATED:20260630T154147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261006T202553Z UID:10001173-1793282400-1793289600@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Art on Film | Gerard Richter Painting DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/art-on-film-gerard-richter-painting/ CATEGORIES:Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ArtOnFilm_GerardRichter_320x226.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261030T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261030T120000 DTSTAMP:20260626T200501Z CREATED:20260506T173823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T200501Z UID:10000077-1793358000-1793361600@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Highlights Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/highlights-tour/2026-10-30/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KAP-49-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261031T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261031T120000 DTSTAMP:20260626T200501Z CREATED:20260506T173823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T200501Z UID:10000078-1793444400-1793448000@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Highlights Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/highlights-tour/2026-10-31/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KAP-49-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261102T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261102T190000 DTSTAMP:20261006T201321Z CREATED:20260825T201439Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261006T201321Z UID:10001226-1793638800-1793646000@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Cocktails + Culture DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/cocktails-and-culture-2/ CATEGORIES:Food and Drink ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/CocktailsCulture_1000x665.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261104T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261104T120000 DTSTAMP:20260820T201254Z CREATED:20260609T154254Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T201254Z UID:10000810-1793786400-1793793600@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Your Wednesday Playdate DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/your-wednesday-playdate-2/2026-11-04/ CATEGORIES:Family ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/StudiosAtSAM_WednesdayPlaydate_2_1024x768.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261104T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261104T120000 DTSTAMP:20260626T200501Z CREATED:20260506T173823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T200501Z UID:10000079-1793790000-1793793600@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Highlights Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/highlights-tour/2026-11-04/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KAP-49-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261104T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261104T190000 DTSTAMP:20260715T202820Z CREATED:20260714T181502Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260715T202820Z UID:10001150-1793811600-1793818800@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Bistro Pop-Up Nights DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/bistro-pop-up-nights-3/ CATEGORIES:Food and Drink ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BistroPopUpNight_Web_1024x746.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261106T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261106T120000 DTSTAMP:20260626T200501Z CREATED:20260506T173823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T200501Z UID:10000080-1793962800-1793966400@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Highlights Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/highlights-tour/2026-11-06/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KAP-49-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261107T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261107T120000 DTSTAMP:20260626T200501Z CREATED:20260506T173823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T200501Z UID:10000081-1794049200-1794052800@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Highlights Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/highlights-tour/2026-11-07/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KAP-49-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261108T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261108T170000 DTSTAMP:20260825T211637Z CREATED:20260519T180910Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T211637Z UID:10001051-1794135600-1794157200@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Free Second Sundays DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/free-second-sundays-at-sam-2/2026-11-08/ CATEGORIES:Family ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FSS_1024x746.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261109T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261109T140000 DTSTAMP:20260824T202052Z CREATED:20260630T162143Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T202052Z UID:10001181-1794229200-1794232800@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Curator's Tour | Chie Fueki: Painting the Floating World DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/curators-tour-chie-fueki-painting-the-floating-world/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CuratorTour_Fueki_1000x665.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261110T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261110T120000 DTSTAMP:20261002T182626Z CREATED:20260827T192259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261002T182626Z UID:10001264-1794308400-1794312000@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Inside the Art World DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/inside-the-art-world-2/ CATEGORIES:Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/InsideTheArtWorld_1000x665.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261111T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261111T120000 DTSTAMP:20260820T201254Z CREATED:20260609T154254Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T201254Z UID:10000811-1794391200-1794398400@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Your Wednesday Playdate DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/your-wednesday-playdate-2/2026-11-11/ CATEGORIES:Family ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/StudiosAtSAM_WednesdayPlaydate_2_1024x768.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261111T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261111T120000 DTSTAMP:20260626T200501Z CREATED:20260506T173823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T200501Z UID:10000082-1794394800-1794398400@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Highlights Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/highlights-tour/2026-11-11/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KAP-49-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261112T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261112T200000 DTSTAMP:20261001T201210Z CREATED:20260827T133936Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261001T201210Z UID:10001230-1794502800-1794513600@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Jazz Thursday | Sarasota Jazz Project DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/jazz-thursdays-4/ CATEGORIES:Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Jazz_SarasotaJazzProject_1000x665.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261113T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261113T120000 DTSTAMP:20260626T200501Z CREATED:20260506T173823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T200501Z UID:10000083-1794567600-1794571200@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Highlights Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/highlights-tour/2026-11-13/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KAP-49-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261114T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261114T120000 DTSTAMP:20260626T200501Z CREATED:20260506T173823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T200501Z UID:10000084-1794654000-1794657600@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Highlights Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/highlights-tour/2026-11-14/ CATEGORIES:Family,Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KAP-49-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261114T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261114T140000 DTSTAMP:20260825T152508Z CREATED:20260824T173947Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T152508Z UID:10001274-1794661200-1794664800@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Opening Day Talk: Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/opening-day-talk-monica-guggisberg-and-philip-baldwin/ CATEGORIES:Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/OpeningDayTalk-MonicaGuggisbergAndPhilipBaldwin_WEB_1000x665.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261116T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261116T140000 DTSTAMP:20260825T152138Z CREATED:20260811T194358Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T152138Z UID:10001241-1794834000-1794837600@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Museum Architecture Walking Tour DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/museum-architecture-walking-tour/2026-11-16/ CATEGORIES:Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MuseumArchitectureWalkingTour_1000x665-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261117T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261117T130000 DTSTAMP:20260827T201758Z CREATED:20260825T152828Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T201758Z UID:10001236-1794916800-1794920400@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Art at Noon | Eszter Sziksz DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/art-at-noon-4/ CATEGORIES:Talks and Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ArtAtNoon-Eszter_1000x665.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261117T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261117T193000 DTSTAMP:20260803T194906Z CREATED:20260803T194628Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260803T194906Z UID:10001217-1794936600-1794943800@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Uncorked DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/uncorked/2026-11-17/ CATEGORIES:Food and Drink ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Uncorked_1000x665.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261118T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261118T120000 DTSTAMP:20260820T201254Z CREATED:20260609T154254Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T201254Z UID:10000812-1794996000-1795003200@www.sarasotaartmuseum.org SUMMARY:Your Wednesday Playdate DESCRIPTION:Sarasota Art Museum Announces New Site-Specific Outdoor Playscape\, “Natural Curiosity\,” is Open for Play \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Playscape developed through community-inclusive design by The Urban Conga becomes extension of the Museum as an “outdoor classroom”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sarasota\, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce the addition of a new playscape located on the Museum’s Great Lawn. Titled “Natural Curiosity\,” this piece will serve as part art installation\, part outdoor classroom\, inspiring creativity\, social connection and well-being for locals\, tourists and school students alike. Designed by Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga\, this inviting\, site-specific installation creates a dynamic outdoor respite for Museum visitors\, sparking connection with nature and social activity through open-ended play. \n\nAn intimate dedication for the outdoor work will be held on Sunday\, November 8 from 11 am–12:15 pm\, featuring remarks by Executive Director Virginia Shearer\, Designers Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman of The Urban Conga\, and Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure.The private celebration will also include a photo opportunity with designers from The Urban Conga. \n \n \n \n \n Also on Sunday\, November 8\, Museum visitors attend for free as part of SAM’s Free Second Sunday program\, supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Guests can join in on the day’s celebration\, enjoying the new outdoor playscape along with special activities for youth from 11 am–3 pm\, including PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure designed for early learners and their parents\, an interactive art-making experience for all ages led by SAM’s Teaching Artists and a special visit from The Art Fairy. DJ Rick Levine will amplify the festive atmosphere with a family-friendly DJ performance from 12–1:30 pm. PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure is part of PNC Grow Up Great® – a $500 million\, multi-year\, bilingual initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare young children for success in school and life. \n \n \n \n “‘Natural Curiosity’ has been two years in the making\, and we are thrilled to finally see this playscape come to life\,” shared Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “This installation was very much a community-supported effort\, designed with valuable input from many local community partners. Now\, it’s so meaningful to come full circle\, sharing the final work with the very people who helped shape its design. It is our sincere hope that ‘Natural Curiosity’ becomes a treasured space of quiet reflection\, learning\, appreciation of nature and artful discovery for many years to come.” \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn\, New York-based\, award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA. The studio is known for its signature community-driven approach\, utilizing play methodologies as critical creative tools from conception to completion. Both Swanson and Coleman have local roots\, receiving degrees from University of South Florida in Architecture. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “It’s exciting to work with institutions like the Sarasota Art Museum that recognize the importance of community-driven design\,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson\, principals of The Urban Conga. “The stories\, feedback and imagination shared by local residents\, together with the museum and its partners\, including The Haven\, became an integral part of this project. The result is a playscape that reflects the community’s voice while creating inclusive opportunities for discovery\, connection and open-ended play for all.” \n \n \n \n Beginning in 2024\, The Urban Conga led a 10-month community-inclusive design process for SAM\, including focus groups with area partners\, youth enrolled in the Museum’s popular Summer Camp program and families visiting the Museum\, funded with a grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County. As a result of this collaborative planning process\, the ultimate design features canopied multisensory elements that evoke the idea of free-choice learning. Some of the interiors include kaleidoscope effects\, changing color and brightness while creating patterns throughout the day. One of the structures is left unenclosed\, allowing wheelchair users to participate. The playscape also features stepped structures created from sustainable materials that people can use as a vantage point to draw from nature. \n \n \n \n One of SAM’s longest and strongest partners\, The Haven\, was a key player in the design discussions to ensure the installation would be accommodating for people with cognitive and physical challenges.  \n \n \n \n “We appreciate Sarasota Art Museum and The Urban Conga for inviting organizations like The Haven to help shape a space that is welcoming\, engaging and accessible\,” shared Alison Thomas\, Chief Operating Officer of The Haven. “The result is a place where individuals of all abilities can learn\, play and connect with the world around them.”  \n \n \n \n Beginning in November 2026\, the playscape will be activated on each second Sunday of the month when SAM opens its doors to the general public free of charge thanks to generous support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Free Second Sundays will feature dedicated lesson plans and artmaking activities for youth and families. Additionally\, throughout the school year\, “Natural Curiosity” will serve as an “outdoor classroom” for field trips and a setting for art\, play\, wellness and connection with the natural environment. Overall\, the new addition to the Sarasota Art Museum campus will add new cultural and park-like offerings for our community\, while demonstrating the powerful impact of nurturing art and nature programs in unison.  \n \n \n \n “Natural Curiosity” is made possible\, in part\, with generous support from Lead Donors Barry and Karen McClure along with support from PNC Foundation\, Mrs. Ruth Kreindler\, Community Foundation of Sarasota County and many individual donors. \n \n \n \n “Giving to our community and the creative arts is important to us\, said Barry and Karen McClure. “We would like children to be introduced to cultural experiences the way our children were raised. A creative playscape will motivate kids to ask their parents to take them to the Museum.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Sarasota Art Museum \n \n \n \n Sarasota Art Museumof Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019\, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions\, dynamic programs and enriching educational offerings and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast\, Southeast United States and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School\, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure\, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today\, SAM is home to 15\,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space\, where nationally touring shows\, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists\, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th- and 21st-century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Urban Conga \n \n \n \n The Urban Conga\, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio led by Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman\, AIA (The American Institute of Architects)\, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) based in Brooklyn\, New York\, whose work explores how play can act as a catalyst for community interaction and social activity within the public realm. Working across the intersections of architecture\, urban design\, public art and social practice\, the studio focuses on creating inclusive\, multiscale spatial opportunities that transform overlooked or underutilized spaces into stimulating environments that encourage curiosity\, interaction and free-choice learning. Central to the studio’s practice is the utilization of play methodologies as a critical tool implemented not just in the work itself but within the community-driven design process in which the work is created. The studio examines how participatory design and open-ended spatial systems can help cultivate more empathetic\, responsive and socially resilient environments. Their work worldwide often blurs disciplinary boundaries\, combining elements of landscape design\, public installation\, architecture\, education and performance to create experiences that invite people to actively shape and reinterpret space together. The resulting work encourages spontaneous interaction and shared authorship\, turning everyday environments into platforms for collective exchange and exploration. For more information visit: www.theurbanconga.com URL:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/event/your-wednesday-playdate-2/2026-11-18/ CATEGORIES:Family ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/StudiosAtSAM_WednesdayPlaydate_2_1024x768.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR