Leadership

Board of Directors

Staff

Katherine Ceaser, a Sarasota native, has a strong foundation in arts education and community engagement with a career rooted in the nonprofit and educational sectors. Before joining ACS as education director in 2023, Ceaser served as an adjunct faculty member, education advisor, and assistant director of career advising at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. She also worked as an ESE teacher with Sarasota County Schools, gaining valuable experience in higher education and K-12 environments.
Ceaser holds an Ed.M. in International Education Policy from Harvard University, an MAT in Elementary Education from American University, and a BA in International Studies from the University of South Florida.

**Christina Baril**
Curator & Director of Exhibitions

Christina joined the ACS team in January 2022 and serves as our Curator & Director of Exhibitions. With a strong background in volunteer services, Christina is the point person and coordinator for our ACS volunteers. Prior to joining ACS, she has held positions at State College of Florida, New Bedford Art Museum (MA), National September 11 Memorial & Museum (NYC), and Newseum (Washington D.C.). Christina’s professional experience and knowledge of the inner workings of museums and art centers in the Northeast is something she brings to our exhibitions department. As a ceramic artist, she enjoys the process of art making and working with artist studios in a multitude of ways. Christina received her MFA in Ceramics from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and her BBA in Marketing & Art History from the College of William and Mary.
An artist in her own right, Christina is represented by Gerald Bland Gallery in NYC.
Email Christina

**Margaret Ann Behrends**
Director of Membership & Special Projects

Margaret Ann Behrends joined ACS in June 2022 and is our Director of Membership and Special Projects. Prior to ACS, Margaret Ann worked in development for several non-profits, including Perlman Music Program Suncoast, Laurel Civic Association, Suncoast Center for Independent Living and Suncoast Humane Society.
Before her career in non-profits, she worked as a television writer and producer for cable and broadcast services in New York, New Jersey and Michigan. Margaret Ann moved to Sarasota in 2010, but her family has had a home here for more than 40 years.
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**Holly Flaig**
Youth Education Coordinator

Holly Flaig is excited to spread the joy of art-making to kids of all ages as the Youth Education Coordinator at Art Center Sarasota. She has a B.A. in Psychology and Art Therapy from Miami University, where she explored the positive impact that the arts have on mental well-being. She dedicates much of her free time to creativity through various mediums such as ceramics, photography, and crochet, and incorporates her love of nature into her work.
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History

As the first visual arts organization in area, we started a movement that has made Sarasota the cultural destination it is today.

1926

The Sarasota Art Association was established in 1926 as the first arts organization in Sarasota. Founder Marcia Rader, Art Supervisor of the Sarasota School System, was the driving force behind the initial meetings of local art supporters who formed the association. In the early years, the group met monthly and sponsored exhibits in rented facilities.

1941

In 1941, the Association incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. At that time, the stated mission was “to promote the educational and cultural advantages of Sarasota in the field of contemporary art." Many renowned local artists like Jerry Farnsworth, Elden Rowland, Syd Solomon and Hilton Leech were instrumental in establishing the center as the focal point for Sarasota's visual arts.

1949

The City of Sarasota provided the Art Association, with a lease of land near the downtown area and in 1948, after the war, the association broke ground for its present building which was designed in the then-popular style of the Sarasota School of Architecture. The building opened in 1949 with only one gallery which is now known as Gallery 3.

1961

The Atrium (Gallery 4) or “Patio Gallery” as it was called was later erected with donations from members and was enclosed in 1961. Several more additions were made to the building adding on the front two galleries, the classroom and the back kitchen and class area.

The association's philosophy during the 1960’s, stated that “while the gallery is important to display the works of local artists, one-man shows and traveling exhibitions, there is a social aspect of the association that bears heavy fruit. It is a meeting place for all who are interested in the many phases of art; it is a place to make friends and see what is going on in Sarasota…” This philosophy is still the inherent mission of Art Center Sarasota today.

2009

The 1950's and 60's were a time of great social involvement of the community in the visual arts. The Art Association would hold their famous Beaux Arts Ball each year. A thousand guests would participate in a grand themed costume party at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. Today, the Art Center has brought back some of the excitement of the balls by creating the iconcept event in 2009. Local artists create "fashion" from unconventional materials for a grand runway show.

2021

Always adaptable, Art Center Sarasota continued to fulfill its mission during the COVID pandemic of 2020 with online galleries, tours, discussion groups and happy hour. In 2021, the building was opened again to the public (with masks of course!). We look forward to welcoming you back in.