Art at Noon

Come enjoy discussions with specialists and artists covering a variety of topics related to Sarasota Art Museum’s exhibitions, architecture, and areas of interest.

As this talk will be exploring works in the galleries, there will be standing room only.

Meet in the Wendy G. Surkis & Peppi Elona Lobby.

Art at Noon

Join one of our Art at Noon Talks

Melanie headshot with an art piece in the background

Art at Noon with Melanie Mckenney

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

12 – 1 pm

Free for Members

$20 Not-Yet Members (Includes Museum Admission)

Join Melanie Mckenney, Studio Programs Coordinator for Sarasota Art Museum, in a discussion about the exhibition Chris Friday: Where We Never Grow Old.

About Melanie Mckenney

Melanie Mckenney, Studio Programs Coordinator at Sarasota Art Museum, is an experienced ceramic artist, entrepreneur and educator with a passion for bringing art and art-making to the community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art from Alfred University’s top-ranking College of Ceramics, with a minor in Education. Since becoming a member of staff in 2024, she has taught ceramics, expanded youth and adult classes offered by the Studios at SAM and, most recently, organized and developed curriculum for the Museum’s annual summer camp.

Eszter Sziksz's Black and White headshot

Art at Noon with Eszter Sziksz

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

12 – 1 pm

Free for Members

$20 Not-Yet Members (Includes Museum Admission)

Join Eszter Sziksz, Ringling College of Art and Design Professor of Fine Arts, Printmaking, in a discussion about the exhibition Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of Paulson Fontaine Press.

About Eszter Sziksz

Eszter Sziksz is a Hungarian artist who has traveled and lived in several countries across Asia and Europe. Her work blends printmaking, installation, and video elements. She has shown at the regional and international level from Tokyo to Budapest.

Her works were recently shown at the Hunderton Art Museum in Clinton, NJ; Santorini Art Biennial Greece; International Artists Collective Museo del Brigantaggio, Itri, Italy; Ice Hotel, Sweden; Krakow International Print Triennial, Poland; IMPACT10 in Spain; IPCNY (International Print Center New York); and featured in Art in Print Magazine. After earning a BA from Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, she completed her MFA in Studio Arts at Memphis College of Art. Eszter recently received a DLA in Fine Arts from Pecsi Tudomany Egyetem in Pecs, Hungary.

Eszter’s prints are included in collections at Pecsi Tudomany University, Hungary; Memphis College of Art’s Presidential Purchase Collection; Szent Istvan Museum, Szekesfehervar, Hungary; University of North Florida; Santorini Biennial of Arts, Greece; and the International Artists Collective Museo del Brigantaggio, Itri, Italy.

Art at Noon with Jillianne Abbott

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

12 – 1 pm

Free for Members

$20 Not-Yet Members (Includes Museum Admission)

Join Jillianne Abbott, Art & Accessibility Consultant for Sarasota Art Museum, in a discussion about the exhibition Lillian Blades: Through the Veil.

About Jillianne Abbott

Jillianne Abbott is a dynamic Visual Arts Program Director and Art Instructor at The Haven, whose work centers on the transformative power of inclusive, adaptive art education. With a Master of Arts in Health from the University of Florida, she brings a holistic approach to the classroom, integrating wellness, creativity, and education to support both artistic and emotional growth. Jillianne has extensive experience working with students of all ages and abilities, creating accessible, imaginative learning environments that empower every individual to express themselves meaningfully. Based in Sarasota, Florida, she leads an inclusive visual arts program at The Haven and collaborates with organizations such as the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota Art Museum, and Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation to foster connection, inclusion, and dialogue through public art. In her role as Art & Accessibility Consultant at Sarasota Art Museum, she uses differentiated strategies to meet diverse learning needs and promotes creativity as a tool for building confidence, encouraging collaboration, and inspiring lifelong appreciation for the arts. Her mission is rooted in the belief that art has the power to heal, transform, and bring communities together.

Art at Noon with Laura Parker Samson


Tuesday, September 16, 2025

12 – 1 pm

Free for Members

$20 Not-Yet Members (Includes Museum Admission)

Join Laura Parker Samson, Coordinator of School and Community Programs for Sarasota Art Museum, in a discussion about the exhibition Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration.

About Laura Parker Samson

Laura Parker Samson is an experienced educator, entrepreneur, and teaching artist with a passion for connecting museum visitors personally and profoundly with the art at Sarasota Art Museum. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Harvard University ART/MXAT Institute for Advanced Theater Training. Since joining the Learning and Engagement team at SAM in 2024, she has grown the School Tour program, expanded Community Outreach programs, implemented new and creative strategies for audience engagement, and served as the Museum liaison for educators, interns, museum guides, and volunteers.

Other Talks

Weekly Programs