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• Field Trip: Bishop Museum's Clyde Butcher Retrospective

  • Start
    01/23/2026
  •  
    1:00 PM
  • End
    03/19/2026
  •  
    2:00 PM
  • Location
    201 10th Street W, Bradenton, FL

  Register

  

  Loxahatchee River 1, Clyde Butcher

  

     

  NOT REALLY

  A TYPICAL FIELD TRIP, 

  JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

  
  

   The BISHOP MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & NATURE

  is hosting

  CLYDE BUTCHER - Lifeworks in Photography

     201 10th Street West, Bradenton, FL

       Dec. 12, 2025 thru March 19, 2026

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  Moonrise Over Myakka, Clyde Butcher 

  
  

  This exhibit features 45 of Clyde's stunning

  large format, black and white photos

  spanning 50 years of his career.

  In addition, a short film featuring he and his

  wife, Niki, is showing in the gallery. 

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   Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM

  Sunday Noon to 5 PM

  Closed Mondays

  ADULTS $25   SENIORS $23

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  A few Suncoast Members are planning to visit

  on the afternoon of Friday, January 23, 2026, 1-2 PM.

  We'd be delighted if you joined us!

  (RSVP on website)

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  FREE Parking at Light Blue Garage
  

  Across the street from Bishop Museum

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  Bishop Museum is home to a variety of Local and Natural History Displays, a Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat and a Planetarium with Daily Shows. You might want to allow extra time to enjoy all these great museum  features.

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  Questions? Click here to email Ruth 
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• 2026 FSWS Spring Member's Exhibition Entry Opens Feb 1

  • Start
    02/01/2026
  •  
    12:01 AM
  • End
    03/10/2026
  •  
    11:59 PM
  • Location
    Herrig Center for the Arts

  Registration is closed

  
  

  
  

  2026 FSWS Spring Exhibition

  Dates:  March 24-April 17, 2026

  Herrig Center for the Arts

  Juror:  Cheryl Fausel

  Call for Entry

  Feb 1 - March 10

  Notification of Acceptance:  March 17, 2026

  Drop Off - March 21, 9-12am

  Live Awards Reception:  Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5-7pm

  Pick up - April 18, 9-12

  
  

  About Cheryl Fausel
  

  Cheryl Fausel, an internationally acclaimed artist, has left her mark on the global art scene with signature status in prestigious organizations such as AWS, NWS, SW, FWS, and TaWS. Her work has graced the pages of renowned publications like “A Walk Into Abstracts” and “Splash 17,” establishing her as a luminary in the world of watercolor and mixed media.

  
  

  Prospectus

  
  

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• Field Trip: James Museum of Western Art

  • When
    02/05/2026
  •  
    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    150 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL

  Register

  
  

  

  

  
  

  Join us for a docent-led tour of

  JAMES MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART

  150 Central Avenue - St. Petersburg

  Thursday February 5 - Tour 11:30 to 12:30

  Lunch at Canyon Cafe (1st floor) following Tour

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  The museum houses a rich collection of art depicting

  the peoples, landscapes and history of the American West. 

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  In addition, two Special Exhibits are on display.

  Photographs by Edward S. Curtis*

  

  and Pop Art by Ben Steele*

  
  

  *Images courtesy of James Museum

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  RSVP right away so we can secure a docent -
  

  Feb.1 is last day to RSVP

  Only "YES" RSVPs will be counted (Maybe = No)

  TICKETS:  Adult $20, Senior (65+) $15

  BRING CASH on Feb. 5

  Suncoast will collect payment for entry

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  MUSEUM PARKING is Levels 3 & 4

  South Core Parking Garage

  101 1st Ave South - St. Petersburg

  Take elevator down to street level museum entrance

  Payment via credit card as you exit

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  Meet near Buffalo Bill at front entrance - 11:15 AM

  
  

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  Hope you'll be able to join us!

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  NEED A RIDE or HAVE EXTRA SPACE IN YOUR CAR?

  Contact Ruth or Tanya and we will connect you.

  Questions? Contact Ruth.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Karen Knutson Demo and Paint Along

  • When
    02/09/2026
  •  
    9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1031S. Euclid Avenue, Sarasota Fl 34237
  • Registered
    11 registrants

  Register

  Karen Knutson is our demo artist on Feb. 9th. The Demo will begin at 9:30, so you should arrive at 9:00 to set up your paints. Karen is a signature member of both the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society, along with many other national watercolor societies and has won many awards throughout the years. She has taught workshops across the United States for the past 30 years. Painting in watercolor and acrylic feeds her soul, and recently has added plein air to her daily activities.

  She will be demonstrating watercolor and how to use only 3 colors and get glowing colors and illusionary effects. Also, we will be doing an exercise that is her secret to well designed paintings. You will need 2 (7” x 10”) Arches 140 pound watercolor paper, a notebook for our design lesson, ruler, pencil, masking tape, ultra fine tipped black permanent marker and your usual watercolor palette and supplies. We will be doing a simple subject for our color study, such as this bird or a simple flower, Sometimes, silhouettes of figures work well for a subject also. No need to bring reference materials. Also, bring toothbrush and Kleenex. 

  
  

  
  We will be providing the classroom space for her. As well as coffee, water and snacks. Guests are welcome but please signup on-line. The fee is $10.00.

  Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society has a large classroom at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1031 S. Euclid Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34237. We will put a large ribbon on both doors to help you identify the room. 

  
  

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• Field Trip: Plan for Satellite Gatherings

  • Start
    02/22/2026
  •  
    12:00 AM
  • End
    03/07/2026
  •  
    11:30 PM

  Registration is closed

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  Plan for

  Spring Satellite Gatherings

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  In an effort to enhance our sense of community

  we'd like to encourage gatherings across our

  membership area. This is a chance to gain a new art

  friend or reconnect with long time Suncoast friends. 

  
  

  Gatherings would be scheduled between

  Sunday Feb 22 and Saturday March 7

  ______________________

  Perhaps you have a favorite local cafe or restaurant

  where a group of members (say, 2 to 7 people)

  can meet and you'd be willing to act as HOST.

  ______________________________
  

  What the HOST will do:

  Choose a Restaurant* and a Date and Time for meeting.

  Send:  Restaurant Location

  Date &Time

    + Your Phone No. 

  to Ruth HERE

  DEADLINE FEB 14

  *Ask about separate checks.

  ____________________________________

  A List of all Satellite Gatherings

  will be sent out to members soon after.

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  What each SUNCOAST MEMBER will do: 

  Choose the gathering(s) you will attend.

  Email that info to Ruth HERE. DEADLINE FEB 19

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  Hosts will be given a list of attendees for their event.

  
  

  Keep in mind that a demo is scheduled for Monday,

  February 23, 9:30 to 12, at FCUCC in Sarasota.

  A HOST could schedule Lunch nearby.

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  Hope you'll be able to join us!
  

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  Questions? Click here to email Ruth 

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• “Inside the world of Wonky Art” Presented by Joanne Stramara

  • When
    03/09/2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    First Congregational UCC 1031 S. Euclid Street, Sarasota FL
  • Registered
    6 registrants

  Register

  

  Joanne Stramara teaches watercolor at Venice Art Center and the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda and she paints a lot of demos. These might be a blue sky or a sunset. What does she do with these wonky demos?

  She makes lemonade out of lemons!

  And…gives you some creative New Ideas for the New Year!

  Where: Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society has a large classroom at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1031 S. Euclid Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34237. We will put a large ribbon on both doors to help you identify the room.

  When: Monday, Jan. 12th at 10:00 am.

  Cost: $10 per person payable online for both members and non-member guests.

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• Field Trip: Weedon Island Preserve

  • When
    04/16/2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL

  Registration is closed

  
  

  

  
  

  Come join us as we explore

  Weedon Island Preserve

  1800 Weedon Drive NE

  St. Petersburg, FL

  
  

  
  

  This Preserve encompasses over 3000 acres

  of mangrove forests, mudflats and marine hammocks.

  It is home to a great variety of wildlife and especially known for its aquatic birds and gopher tortoises.

  There are several hiking trails throughout the Preserve, plus a Cultural & Natural History Center.

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  April 2026 - date and time TBA

  Watch for more information in spring 2026.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  COME EARLY IN THE DAY TO HIKE THE TRAILS

  and/or

  SPEND TIME VISITING THE CULTURAL & HISTORY CENTER 

  with its museum displays, videos and 1000 year old

  indigenous dugout canoe. 

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  WE WILL GATHER FOR LUNCH at 11:30 AM

  Bring your Brown Bag lunch to the Picnic Shelter.

  (Look for the shelter sign over blue bin at edge of parking area)

  
  

         Don't forget your camera and sunscreen!

  All activities are FREE.

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  Hope you'll be able to join us!
  

  __________________________________________________

  
  

  Questions? Click here to email Ruth 

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Show details