Echoes of Sarasota: Free Docent Led Tours

Experience “Echoes of Sarasota,” a cultural heritage exhibition presented in partnership with Thomsen Fine Art with supporting works curated by Arts Advocates. The exhibition brings together mural‑scale pastel and painted works by Regan Dunnick and Frank Hopper, offering an accessible look at more than a century of Sarasota’s cultural and civic history. Their artwork highlights early communities, recognizable landscapes, environmental features, and the traditions that shaped Sarasota’s identity. Arts Advocates further enriches the exhibition with historic works by Florida artists, adding depth and continuity to the narrative. Together, the City Hall and Van Wezel installations create a unified experience that invites visitors to explore Sarasota’s history through expressive, story‑driven artwork..

Free docent led tours at both Sarasota City Hall and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall offer a welcoming and engaging way to learn about the exhibition. Tours are supported by the Johnson Singer Arts and Education Fund, which uplifts teaching artists and strengthens arts and education programming for youth and seniors.

• Each one‑hour docent led tour includes:
• A guided walkthrough of the exhibition
• Stories connecting artwork to Sarasota’s past
• An accessible, welcoming experience for all ages
• Distinct selections at each venue

Tours run monthly from October through May on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Tours are free and open to the public. Advance registration is recommended.

City Hall serves as the primary installation site, featuring many of the largest mural‑scale works in the exhibition. Dunnick’s pastel compositions trace Sarasota and Bradenton’s history through detailed scenes of early Indigenous communities, familiar landscapes, and civic life. Hopper’s paintings highlight early settler stories, Florida Cracker heritage, and Sarasota’s circus legacy.

• November 3
• December 1
• January 5
• February 2
• March 2
  
• April 6
  
• May 4

Docent: Diane Farber

Diane Farber was born and raised in Miami Beach and spent more than fifty years in Michigan before returning to Florida. She has served as a docent at the Sarasota Art Museum for over two years, where she enjoys sharing her love of art and the stories behind each piece. Active in Sarasota’s cultural community, Diane looks forward to guiding visitors through City Hall’s artworks, public sculpture, and rich local history.

Sarasota City Hall
1565 1st Street
Sarasota, Florida

The Van Wezel installation complements the City Hall display by featuring three works from the Thomsen Fine Art Dunnick/Hopper collection and a large selection of historical artworks curated by Arts Advocates. This combined presentation deepens the exhibit’s ties to Sarasota’s performing arts heritage and broadens the cultural narrative across both sites.

• October 20
  
• November 17
  
• December 15
  
• January 19
  
• February 16
  
• March 16
  
• April 20

Docent: Barbara Sander

Barbara Sander is a longtime arts advocate and experienced docent with the Fine Arts Society of Sarasota. She has chaired docent programs for art tours at the Van Wezel and serves on multiple arts and community boards. Barbara brings deep knowledge of Sarasota’s arts history and a warm, conversational style that helps visitors connect with both the Thomsen collection artworks and the extensive Arts Advocates selections on display.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida